Your Care Budget for Home Care Services
Understanding the allocation of funds for your Home Care Services can be confusing. To help, we have put together some simple resources on this page.
It is important you fully understand the different fees and any out-of-pocket charges you may need to pay, before signing up to any Home Care Services.
The total cost of your Home Care Services consists of three main elements, as illustrated below.
Type of Government Subsidy
The type of Government subsidy can impact your care budget. For example, a Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) recipient can only receive entry level services to the maximum value of approximately $8,900 per annum, however, a Home Care Package (HCP) recipient can receive comprehensive care between the values of $10,000 and $61,000 per annum, depending on their HCP level.
|
Type of Government Subsidy |
Level |
Amount* |
| Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) | Basic needs only | |
| Home Care Package | Level 1 Basic care | Up to approx. $10,589 p.a. |
| Home Care Package | Level 2 Low care | Up to approx. $18,622 p.a. |
| Home Care Package | Level 3 Intermediate care | Up to approx. $40,530 p.a. |
| Home Care Package | Level 4 High care | Up to approx. $61,440 p.a. |
*Your Home Care Package Funding: This is the annual amount paid by the government for every individual who is approved for a level of care. These funds are used towards your care needs. The government subsidy for each package level changes on 1 July every year. For up-to-date information, please visit: myagedcare.gov.au/home-care-package-costs-and-fees
Your Contribution
If you are receiving a government subsidy, then you may be required to pay a contribution towards your care.
For recipients of a Home Care Package (HCP), this contribution is known as the Basic Daily Fee and the amount is set by the Government.
For recipients of the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP), this fee is known as the Client Contribution.
Income-Tested Fee
This is a contribution towards the cost of your care and only applies if you are on a Home Care Package and your income or assets exceed the maximum threshold set by the Government.
Income-Tested Fee Caps
There are annual and lifetime caps for the income-tested care fee.
Once the cap has been reached, you cannot be asked to pay more.
The annual cap is different depending on what you earn in a year. For example, for a single person as at 20 March 2024:
- If you are a full pensioner or have an income up to $33,027.80, you won’t have to pay an income-tested care fee.
- If you are a part pensioner or if you earn between $33,027.80 and $63,559.60 a year, your income-tested care fee is capped at $6,661.80 a year.
- If you earn more than $63,559.60 a year, your income-tested care fee is capped at $13,323.68 a year.
There is a lifetime cap of $79,942.44 as at 20 March 2024. After you reach the lifetime cap, you will no longer have to pay income tested care fees.
Moving from Home Care Services to Residential Aged Care
If you have previously received Home Care Services using a Home Care Package (HCP) Government subsidy and are now moving into a Residential Aged Care Home, any income-tested fees paid with your HCP will be counted towards your aged care home means-tested fee annual and lifetime caps.