Collections
Improved payment arrangements for home care resources
This collection provides guidance materials for Home Care Package providers and care recipients on the Improved Payment Arrangements implemented 1 September 2021.
National summary of home care prices
To further improve the transparency of Home Care Package pricing for senior Australians, their families and carers, the Department of Health publishes national median prices for common home care services, care management and package management. This data is updated quarterly.
Monthly Statement resources
The Better Practice Home Care Packages (HCP) resources have been designed to support providers to improve the overall quality of their HCP statements, making it easier for care recipients to understand and be supported to make informed choices around the use of Package funds for their care.
Fact sheets and brochures
Home Care Packages Program pricing caps fact sheet and frequently asked questions
This fact sheet provides an overview and answers frequently asked questions about changes to Home Care Package administration and management charges, implemented 1 January 2023.
Understanding Home Care Packages
This fact sheet helps older people and their families and carers to understand the Home Care Packages Program.
Responses to questions from the Home Care Packages (HCP) program assurance reviews – Unspent funds and pricing transparency on My Aged Care
This document provides answers to the questions raised during the Home Care Packages (HCP) program assurance reviews – Unspent funds and pricing transparency on My Aged Care webinar on 7 December 2023.
Aged care wage increase webinar – Questions and answers – June 2023
This document provides answers to questions from the aged care wage increase webinar held on 15 June 2023.
In-home aged care reforms webinar – Frequently Asked Questions – May 2023
This document provides answers to frequently asked questions from the fourth reforming in-home aged care webinar held on 18 May 2023.
HCP Program Assurance Reviews – Explanatory notes
This document provides further information about the Home Care Packages (HCP) program assurance reviews and should be read together with the HCP program Assurance Framework.
Templates and forms
Application Form to Transfer Home Care Services to Another Approved Provider
This form is for home care providers. Use this form if you want to transfer one of your Home Care Package services to another approved provider.
Guidelines and procedures
Inclusions/Exclusions Framework – decision tool and template
This decision tool and template is intended to help Home Care Package (HCP) providers to make decisions on inclusions and exclusions of the HCP Program. These resources should also be used when working with care recipients to develop their care plan and individualised budget.
Schedule of Fees and Charges for Pre-1 July 2014 Residential and Home Care Recipients
This schedule applies to residential and home care recipients who first entered care before 1 July 2014 and have not chosen to be covered by the 1 July 2014 fee arrangements. It includes basic daily fees, income-tested fees, and rates and charges that apply to residents.
Schedule of Fees and Charges for Residential and Home Care
This schedule applies to people who first entered care on or after 1 July 2014. It also applies to those who entered care before this date and have chosen to be covered by the 1 July 2014 arrangements.
Home Care Packages Program Operational Manual: A Guide for Home Care Providers
This manual helps approved providers of Home Care Packages to understand their responsibilities. It provides information about fees and charges, care planning, package inclusions and exclusions, package budgets, reporting and responding to special needs.
Guide to Combining Aged Care Services
Approved aged care providers should read this guide before submitting an application to combine residential care services.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Guide for Home Care Providers
This guide is for providers of aged care and disability services who offer home care and support services to older people living at home and people with disability living in the community. It provides information and guidance on how to stay safe from coronavirus (COVID-19).
Strategies and frameworks
Home Care Packages Program Assurance Framework
The Home Care Packages Program Assurance Framework outlines how we will conduct assurance of the program.
Home Care Packages Program Assurance Plan 2023–25
The Home Care Packages Program Assurance Plan 2023–25 protects the integrity of the Home Care Packages (HCP) Program funding through evidence-based assurance of the HCP Program’s design, delivery and administration.
![Cover page Specialisation verification – final framework [June 2024]](/sites/default/files/2024-06/specialisation-verification-final-framework.png)
Specialisation verification – final framework
The final framework sets out the criteria for specialised care delivery. Aged care providers who deliver specific services that meet diverse needs may apply for specialisation verification.
Webinars
Webinar on in home and community aged care COVID-19 preparedness
This webinar focused on the role and capacity of home care providers, Community Home Support Programme providers and the assessment workforce as part of the national response to COVID-19.
Aged care wage increase – webinar
This webinar provided information about the Australian Government’s $11.3 billion investment to fund the Fair Work Commission’s decision of a 15 per cent increase to the award wages of many aged care workers.
Capping Home Care Package Administration and Management Charges – 1 December 2022
This webinar is for Home Care Package providers. It will provide an update on pricing changes commencing 1 January 2023.
Home Care Packages Program - changes to Financial Reporting requirements and upcoming Program Assurance Reviews
This webinar will provide information on the changes to financial reporting requirements for Home Care Packages (HCP) Program approved providers and the start of HCP Program Assurance Reviews.
Home Care Packages (HCP) Program Assurance Reviews – Unspent funds and pricing transparency on My Aged Care
This webinar is about the key learnings and outcomes of the Home Care Packages (HCP) Program Assurance Reviews on provider self-reported unspent amounts and pricing transparency on My Aged Care.
Home Care Package provider webinar – program inclusions and exclusions
This webinar is for Home Care Packages providers and peak bodies.
Reports
Home Care Packages Program Assurance Review No. 3 – Pricing Transparency on My Aged Care – Public Summary Report
The review sought to assure effective pricing transparency on My Aged Care, using an evidence-based approach. Given the critical importance of pricing transparency for care recipients, this Review covered all (839) providers that display information on My Aged Care.
Home Care Packages Program Assurance Review No. 2 – Unspent Funds (Commonwealth Portion) – Summary Report
The review helped assure the amount and accuracy of providers unspent funds as recorded by Services Australia. It also confirmed whether selected providers have the financial capacity to cover amounts owing to the Commonwealth when care recipients exit the Home Care Packages Program.
Home Care Packages Program Assurance Review No. 1 – Indirect and care management charges – Public Summary Report
This report outlines findings from the first review of the Home Care Packages Program. It identifies opportunities to improve program guidance, provides examples of better practice and shows how a care recipient can assess value for money between providers.
Review and development of a specialisation verification framework for My Aged Care – Final report
This final report from Australian Healthcare Associates (AHA) outlines the results of a review into selecting special needs specialisations within the My Aged Care system's Find a Provider tool. It also discusses developing a framework to verify specialisations and research on ways to do this.
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