There are four levels of Home Care Packages for different care and support needs:

Level 1 for basic care needs;

Level 2 for low care needs;

Level 3 for intermediate care needs; and

Level 4 or high care needs.

Each level receives a different amount of government funding. The higher the level, the more funding the government pays on your behalf, allowing you to purchase more services. A Level 4 package allows you to purchase the most services. Once you’ve had an Aged Care Assessment, you will be told which level applies for you.

Home Care Packages are not the only way you can have your needs met. You may find extra support from your family, in your community, in your social network, using your own money or resources, or by creating a network of people that may be able to help you. There are also lots of other programs, some of which are funded by government, which you might be able to use. You can contact My Aged Care for information on what Government programs you might be eligible for.

CHSP is a government program that supports older people who are still managing well at home, but want some extra assistance, such as home help, delivered meals, personal care or home maintenance.

The service is subsidised by government, but you have to pay some fees. Many people use CHSP when they need low-level support. As their needs become more intensive or complex, requiring some case management assistance, they can be referred for a Home Care Package.

The CHSP offers a range of home and community care services including:

Allied Health Support Services – such as physiotherapy, occupational and speech therapy, podiatry, dietician etc;

Domestic Assistance – household jobs like cleaning, clothes washing and ironing;

Food Services – meals at a community centre; help to shop for, prepare or store food; meal delivery to your home;

Home Maintenance – minor general repair and care of your house or yard, for example, changing light bulbs or replacing tap washers;

Home Modification – minor installation of safety aids such as alarms, ramps and support rails in your home;

Housing Support – assistance with housing options for vulnerable older people;

Nursing Care – a qualified nurse comes to your home and may, for example, dress a wound or provide continence advice;

Personal Care – help with bathing or showering, dressing, hair care and going to the toilet;

Respite Care – supporting carers by providing respite care options;

Social Support – social activities in a community-based group setting, day centre programs; and

Transportation – help to get out and about for shopping or appointments.

Home Care Packages and the CHSP both give you support to stay at home. But there are differences between the programs.

With the CHSP you:

Choose from a set menu of services – there isn’t much flexibility;

Only pay for the services you use;

Can dip in and out of the program as you need things;

Have your eligibility assessed by the Regional Assessment Service (RAS).

With a Home Care Package:

You get your own funds to use and can decide how to spend it, rather than choosing from a menu

Once you have a package, it stays in place for the long term

Your eligibility is assessed by the aged care assessment team (ACAT).

RAS are the assessors who visit you at home to assess which services you can use under the CHSP. You may need a new assessment each time you want to use a different service under this program.

It’s a good idea to think about whether you might need to use any of the range of CHSP services in advance, to save you having to go through the whole referral and assessment process again.

Home Care Packages are meant for older people, but there is no minimum age requirement. There are no citizenship or residency restrictions on Home Care Packages.

However, they are not meant for visitors to Australia or people who need only temporary or short-term care. If you want short-term care, the Commonwealth Home Support Program might be a better option for you.

Yes, people receiving help from the Department of Veterans Affairs under Veteran’s Home Care can also be assessed for a Home Care Package.

You can have a Home Care Package and Veteran’s Home Care at the same time – many veterans receive both. Some Veterans are also eligible for a Veteran’s Mental Health Supplement.

The ACAT assess people’s eligibility for Home Care Packages and other residential care services. They are professional health and community care clinicians who visit you at home to assess your needs.

They do a comprehensive assessment for your eligibility for a Home Care Package, residential respite care or permanent residential care.

During the assessment visit, the ACAT clinician (usually a nurse, social worker or other health care professional) will ask questions about how well you are managing in your day-to-day life. They will also explain the assessment process and give you advice about on the types of care services that may help you to stay at home.

Your assessed needs will determine which level of Home Care Package you are eligible for. You will also be asked about whether you want approvals to use residential respite care in the future. In some instances, when staying at home is no longer possible, the assessment can also help to determine your eligibility for care in a residential aged care facility.

Yes – It’s a good idea to have someone you trust and who knows you well at the assessment home visit. You can have a friend, family member, partner, carer or advocate with you during the assessment.

To find a local advocate, contact the National Aged Care Advocacy Line on 1800 700 600.

During the assessment, you will be asked about what you can still do for yourself and what you want assistance with. It helps if you have already thought about what your needs are, and about what you help you think you will want in the foreseeable future.

Some older people are worried that having an assessment means a fast-track into a nursing home. The truth is that most people will be linked into community care services that help them stay living in their own home. Many people get extra help at home.

If you think you might benefit from some assistance, it’s a good idea to have an assessment. Over the phone, My Aged Care will help work out what type of assessment you need and will start the process for you. Once you’ve had an assessment, you make up your own mind about whether you want to accept the outcome.

It’s your life and your choice.

During the assessment visit, the ACAT clinician (usually a nurse, social worker or other health care professional) will ask questions about how well you are managing in your day-to-day life. They will also explain the assessment process and give you advice about on the types of care services that may help you to stay at home.

Your assessed needs will determine which level of Home Care Package you are eligible for. You will also be asked about whether you want approvals to use residential respite care in the future.

In some instances, when staying at home is no longer possible, the assessment can also help to determine your eligibility for care in a residential aged care facility.

My Aged Care is the government gateway for all aged care needs, including assessment and information on aged care support and programs across Australia. They should be your first point of contact.

Call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or use their website www.myagedcare.gov.au