Fees and funding
Fees and funding
How much will it cost?
Being eligible for a Home Care Package means that the government will subsidise the cost of your care. This makes the help you need much more affordable.
The Australian Government pays for the bulk of aged care in Australia. However, to receive help at home through the government’s home care packages you need to contribute towards one or both of the following:
- A basic daily fee, which is a percentage of your aged pension
- A means-tested fee, payable if your income is over a certain amount
Once you’ve had an ACAT assessment, this will be sent to Centrelink, which will determine how much you will need to pay.
When you choose a home care package with Baptistcare, we will work with you to develop a budget to fund your home care plan. The Baptistcare Budget Planning Tool provides a transparent overview of your individual funding and support plan options. The budget allows you to see what funds are available in your home care package and how they are being spent.
Baptistcare also provides home care services outside the home care packages program. If you don’t wish to have an ACAT assessment, we can enter a private agreement with you to provide the services you need on an ad hoc or ongoing basis.
If you are a veteran or widow/er, you may be eligible for Veterans’ Home Care (VHC) through a referral from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA). As VHC services are funded by DVA, please contact the DVA in the first instance.
No establishment fees and no exit fees
Unlike some providers, Baptistcare charge no establishment or exit fees. We help you navigate the system and design an individual package to fit your budget, needs and preferences, offering you a free, no obligation consultation in the comfort of your own home.
The cost of home care services is determined by the types of services you wish to access and your financial situation. At Baptistcare, we offer affordable hourly rates and work with you to ensure you get the most from your government subsidy and budget.
There are four levels of Home Care Packages for different care and support needs:
- Level 1 for basic care needs
- Level 2 for low-level care needs
- Level 3 for intermediate care needs
- Level 4 for high-level 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 buy more services. Once you’ve had an ACAT Assessment, you will be told which level applies to you.
Level 1 Home Care Packages are designed to support people who have basic level care needs. This may include help with everyday tasks such as personal care, domestic assistance, social support, meal preparation and transport.
Level 2 Home Care Packages are designed to support people who have low level care needs. This may include help with everyday tasks such as personal care, domestic assistance, social support, meal preparation, transport and some nursing care.
Level 3 Home Care Packages are designed to support people who have intermediate level care needs. This may include help with nursing care, medication management, allied health support, personal care, domestic assistance, social support, meal preparation, transport and support with changes to memory and/or behaviour.
Level 4 Home Care Packages are designed to support people who have high level or complex care needs. This may include help with nursing care, medication management, allied health support, personal care, domestic assistance, social support, meal preparation, transport and support with changes to memory and/or behaviour.
The Australian Government pays for the bulk of aged care in Australia. However, to receive help at home through the government’s home care packages you may need to contribute towards one or both of the following:
- A basic daily fee, which is a percentage of your aged pension
- A means-tested fee, payable if your income is over a certain amount
Once you’ve had an ACAT assessment, this will be sent to Centrelink, which will determine how much you will need to pay.
The maximum amount of income-tested care fees for home care you can be asked to pay is:
- $15.12 per day or $5,506.48 per year for people with income below $52,686.40 (Single person income rate)
- $30.25 per day or $11,012.99 per year for people with income above $52,686.40 (Single person income rate).
The Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) provides entry-level support for older people who are still able to manage living at home, but could do with some extra assistance. Services are prescribed by a Regional Assessment Service (RAS).
Home Care Packages (HCP) provide higher levels of support for older people who have more complex needs. Recipients are able to select what services they want to use their funding on.
What is CHSP funding?
Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) is a Government funded program that supports older people who are still managing well at home, but would like some extra assistance. Many people use CHSP when they need low-level support.
ACAT assessments are usually done within a couple of weeks of when you first make the request for an assessment, however this will vary depending on the Aged Care Assessment Team’s availability. When you speak with My Aged Care, ask them to confirm a date for your assessment.
You can use home care package funds to pay for a range of support that will help you to remain independent and well at home and in your community. This could include nursing care, jobs around the home, meals, personal care and social support depending on your level of funding. You’re not limited to a prescribed menu of services and your provider should work with you to design a personalised Home Care Package to meet your needs.
Home Care Services are available in the Perth metro area, Peel, South West, Great Southern and Wheatbelt regions through home care packages, private arrangement, or Veterans’ Home Care.
Request an info pack to receive more information about our home care services.
“Life has definitely been tough at times but with the help and friendship of Lyn and Baptistcare, my life’s actually good.”
“The things they have done for me are amazing and they’ve absolutely done a great job, first class. They’re people I can rely on.”
Lois, Baptistcare Home Care customer
“Life has definitely been tough at times but with the help and friendship of Lyn and Baptistcare, my life’s actually good.”
“The things they have done for me are amazing and they’ve absolutely done a great job, first class. They’re people I can rely on.”
Lois, Baptistcare Home Care customer
