A Home Care Package looks like a sum of money. It is not. It is a budget held by an approved provider, and several things come out of it before an hour of care is delivered.
The fees you may pay
- Basic daily fee. A daily amount set by the government, which some people pay in full and others partly.
- Income-tested care fee. An additional contribution if Services Australia assesses your income above the threshold.
- Provider hourly rates. What the provider charges for each service.
- Case management. The coordination and planning work.
- Administration. The provider's back-office costs.
Ask for each of these as a dollar figure. A provider who answers in percentages or adjectives is not giving you a fee schedule.
Why two providers offer different hours
Same package level, different hours. It happens because providers set different hourly rates and different admin charges. A provider with lower rates may deliver more hours; a provider with higher rates may offer better continuity or specialist staff.
Compare the hours, not the headline. Ask: for my package level, how many hours of personal care and how many hours of cleaning can you deliver in a month, after all fees?
What to ask in writing
- The full fee schedule, including every charge.
- Your estimated contribution, if any.
- How many hours the budget buys at each service rate.
- The cancellation policy and any charge.
- Whether unspent funds roll over, and what happens to them.
- The exit process and any exit fee.
Unspent funds
Unspent funds can accumulate. Ask how they are held, whether they are refundable and what happens if you change providers or die. The rules depend on the program and the provider's arrangements, so get it in writing.
Support at Home
Support at Home is replacing Home Care Packages over time, with different fee arrangements. This page deliberately does not quote figures, because they change. Ask My Aged Care for the current position, then ask the provider for the same answer in writing.
Red flags
A provider who will not give a fee schedule before you sign. A care plan that is mostly administration. A large gap between the package value and the hours delivered. An exit fee that appears only after you ask to leave.
Common questions
Do I have to pay the basic daily fee?
It depends on your circumstances and the program rules. Ask My Aged Care and the provider for your specific position.
What is the income-tested care fee?
An additional contribution assessed by Services Australia based on your income. Not everyone pays it.
Can a provider charge for case management?
Yes, within the rules. Ask how much and what it covers.
What happens to unspent funds?
Ask the provider in writing. The answer depends on the program and the provider's arrangements.
Can I change providers if the fees are too high?
Generally yes. Ask about outstanding fees and the exit process first.
Sources and further reading
This guide is general information, not medical, legal or financial advice. If you are worried about your health, call your GP. In an emergency, call 000.