Home Care FAQs

What're Home Care Packages?

Home Care Packages are one of the ways that older Australians can access affordable care services to get some help at home. They are designed for those with more complex care needs that go beyond what the Commonwealth Home Support Programme can provide.

Home Care Packages can be an option if you need a coordinated approach to the delivery of your help at home - perhaps because you need help with many everyday tasks, or the care you need is more complex or intensive.

Am I eligible for these services?

Eligibility is based on your care needs as determined through an assessment, but you must also be:

• an older person 65 or over (or 50 and over for First Nations people) who needs coordinated services to help them stay at home, or
• a younger person with a disability, dementia or other care needs not met through other specialist services.

Your financial situation won’t affect your eligibility. But you may also need an income assessment through Services Australia to work out exactly how much you may be asked to contribute. More information is available on the Home Care Package costs and fees page.

What package levels are available? (as of April 2025)

Package level - Level of care needs

• Level 1: Basic care needs – $10,698.15 a year
• Level 2: Low care needs – $18,812.10 a year
• Level 3: Intermediate care needs – $40,945.70 a year
• Level 4: High care needs – $62,075.55 a year

What does it cost me?

You’re expected to contribute to the cost of your care if you can afford it. Your contribution is made up of three types of fees:

• Basic daily fee (up to $13.14 from 20 March 2025)
• Income tested care fee (up to $37.70 from 20 March 2025)
• Additional fees (any other amount you have agreed to pay for extra care and services)

How do I apply?

You can apply by yourself or we can assist you in your application. Just talk to us and we will help.

How long will it take to be allocated a Home Care Package?

After you have had an assessment and been approved for a Home Care Package, how long it takes to be allocated a Home Care Package depends on the date of approval and the priority you have been assessed for.

For people assessed as a high priority with date on the outcome letter in December, they are assigned their approved level Home Care Package within one month.

For people with medium priority with date on the outcome letter in February 2025, the estimated wait time for assignment of an approved Home Care Package is as follows:

• Level 1: 6 - 9 months
• Level 2: 6 - 9 months
• Level 3: 9 - 12 months
• Level 4: 12 - 15 months

For people who have been assigned a Home Care Package at their approved level in February 2025, the average wait times have been:

• Level 1: <1 month (high priority), 7 months (medium priority)
• Level 2: <1 month (high priority), 8 months (medium priority)
• Level 3: <1 month (high priority), 11 months (medium priority)
• Level 4: <1 month (high priority), 12 months (medium priority)

Can I transfer my existing HCP to MCG?

Yes absolutely. You can transfer your existing Home Care Package to Merit Care. We welcome all transfers and will assist you throughout the entire process to make it easy and seamless.

How do I transfer my existing HCP to MCG?

Just contact us, and we’ll handle the transfer for you.