A Home Care Package is one form of aged care funding provided by the Australian Government. It helps to pay for care and services that enable aging Australians remain independent, safe, and well at home.

Once you have been through the application process and allocated a Home Care Package, you will need to work with an approved provider to select the specific services and additional support that you need. This is called a Care Plan.

A Care Plan is tailored to your individual needs and wants. So, the answer to the question What can my Home Care Package be used for? is unique to everyone. Everything is also specified in your home care agreement, so that you and any involved loved ones have a clear understanding of what to expect.

The Government have a set of guidelines, which we have listed below.

Subsidies can be used for:

• personal care — such as help with showering and hygiene
• communication support — such as help with using the phone or hearing aids
• dietary support — such as help with nutrition and preparing meals
• skin care — such as bandages and dressings
• continence care — such as disposable pads, commode chairs and bedpans
• mobility support — such as crutches, handrails, wheelchairs and bed rails
• support services — such as cleaning, gardening and transport
• social support — such as help to take part in social activities and access emergency services
• clinical care — such as nursing, podiatry, physiotherapy and hearing services

Subsidies cannot be used for:

• items that would usually be paid for with general income, such as household bills and other basic living expenses
• food, unless it is part of enteral feeding needs
• permanent accommodation costs, such as mortgage payments or rent
• home care fees (excluding management and service management fees)
• home modifications or capital items that do not relate to care needs
• travel or accommodation for holidays
• entertainment such as club memberships or tickets to sporting events
• gambling
• services or items covered by Medicare or the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
• fees or charges for other types of care that the Australian Government fully or partly funds

Navigating the ins and outs of Home Care can sometimes be difficult. Our friendly team are here to help and answer any questions you may have.

You may also like to read our article on means testing for Home Care Packages.