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Home Care Package

Everything you need to know about home care packages, eligibility criteria, ACAT assessments, self-management and more.

What are the costs of a Home Care Package?
From 1 November 2025, the Support at Home program replaced the Home Care Package program. Rules that apply under Support at Home may be different to those that applied to the Home Care Package program mentioned in this article. To learn more about the Support at Home program, visit our Topic Library or the official Support at Home website . From July 1, 2023, the Australian government is increasing wages for aged care workers by 15 percent. To ensure home care package recipients continue to get the same services and hours of support they need, the government is increasing home care packages by 11.9 percent, effective July 1, 2023. Due to the increase in wages, it is expected that providers will also need to increase the costs of support and services such as nursing, personal care, in-home respite and cleaning, as mentioned in a letter by Minister for Aged Care Anika Wells. The increased prices will be covered by the increased amount in the recipient's package funds. Home care packag
A guide to Home Care Package consumables
From 1 November 2025, the Support at Home program replaced the Home Care Package program. Rules that apply under Support at Home may be different to those that applied to the Home Care Package program mentioned in this article. To learn more about the Support at Home program, visit our Topic Library or the official Support at Home website . What can I spend my Home Care Package on? The Home Care Package (HCP) is designed to help you remain living independently and safely in your own home. The funding can be used to pay for care, services and goods that align to your specific care needs. Depending on your HCP level and needs, your funds can be used on the following: Personal care services In-home support and maintenance Support for continence management Transport support Mobility Nursing care, allied health and therapy services. What products can I buy with my Home Care Package? In addition to services , you can use your HCP to purchase goods, equipment and assistive technology (G
What is a Home Care Package Provider?
From 1 November 2025, the Support at Home program replaced the Home Care Package program. Rules that apply under Support at Home may be different to those that applied to the Home Care Package program mentioned in this article. To learn more about the Support at Home program, visit our Topic Library or the official Support at Home website . When first looking into getting a Home Care Package (HCP) , many of us encounter the term ‘Home Care Package provider’. But what exactly is this and how is an HCP provider different to a service provider? If you are also thinking about getting a HCP , understanding these terms will help you decide how you wish to set it up. Home Care Package provider When you get a home care package, the money is ‘hosted’ by a HCP provider . This is an organisation that receives your government subsidy and manages the costs, such as paying invoices for support services on your behalf. An HCP provider is sometimes called an HCP fund manager. An HCP provider is
Top three advantages of building a team of supports on Mable
From 1 November 2025, the Support at Home program replaced the Home Care Package program. Rules that apply under Support at Home may be different to those that applied to the Home Care Package program mentioned in this article. To learn more about the Support at Home program, visit our Topic Library or the official Support at Home website . On Mable, you can find support people who share your interests, and who can support you to do the things you’d like to do. There’s no limit to the amount of support people you can engage via Mable, so the possibilities are endless! Taking advantage of this and building out a team of support comes with numerous advantages – we’ve put together our top three! 1. You’ll always have support when you want it A team of support on Mable means that if one worker is unwell or unable to make a shift, you already have other options who can fill in to meet your needs. If you have 2 or 3 support people on Mable that you get along really well with, it can be
How Mable can provide you with comfort about the safety of your loved ones
From 1 November 2025, the Support at Home program replaced the Home Care Package program. Rules that apply under Support at Home may be different to those that applied to the Home Care Package program mentioned in this article. To learn more about the Support at Home program, visit our Topic Library the official Support at Home website . In the wake of the Aged Care Royal Commission, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day this year is in the spotlight more than ever. According to The Guardian , as many as 185,000 Australians could be experiencing some kind of elder abuse nationally each year. For people looking for aged care options for a loved one, their safety, wellbeing and quality of life are front of mind. Here, we take a look at how engaging independent support workers via Mable could help give you peace of mind. In 2018, the ABC’s Four Corner’s program investigated issues within Australia’s aged care industry, returning with distressing stories of neglect and abuse. It was their
Not getting enough support with your Home Care Package? Here’s how Mable could help
From 1 November 2025, the Support at Home program replaced the Home Care Package program. Rules that apply under Support at Home may be different to those that applied to the Home Care Package program mentioned in this article. To learn more about the Support at Home program, visit our Topic Library or the official Support at Home website . For many Australians, home care packages provide crucial support needed to remain living independently. But what if your package is not giving you the level of support you need? While for many pensioners, and even self-funded retirees, finding that extra help at home might seem out of reach, it doesn’t need to be. As reported by the Sydney Morning Herald , as at June 30, there were about 120,000 people waiting in the queue for a home care package. Of these, about 48,000 had received an “interim package” – a lower-level package than they need – while they waited. With the average waiting time for home care packages at over 12 months, the differenc
What can Home Care Package funds be used for?
From 1 November 2025, the Support at Home program replaced the Home Care Package program. Rules that apply under Support at Home may be different to those that applied to the Home Care Package program mentioned in this article. To learn more about the Support at Home program, visit our Topic Library or the official Support at Home website . Home Care Packages are government-funded programs in Australia designed to help older individuals remain independent in their homes for as long as possible. These packages provide a range of services tailored to the specific needs of each individual. Home Care Package levels are determined based on an assessment of the person's needs by an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) . The assessment considers the level of support required for daily living and personal care. Support services you can get with your Home Care Package include cleaning, gardening, and personal care assistance. They also cover assistive technology, known as Goods, Equipment,
Tips and tricks as you build a great team of support
From 1 November 2025, the Support at Home program replaced the Home Care Package program. Rules that apply under Support at Home may be different to those that applied to the Home Care Package program mentioned in this article. To learn more about the Support at Home program, visit our Topic Library or the official Support at Home website . The word ‘team’ has been used very deliberately in this article as it implies what is suggested here – relying on only one support worker is never a good idea! Here we unpack the reasons why and provide some tips to assist you navigate your way through the process of building a great team of support using Mable. Let’s start with the ‘why’ Why is it not a good idea to rely on one worker only? People get sick, take holidays, aren’t right, move on. Being reliant on one person creates vulnerability. If that person leaves or is off sick for any length of time, what happens then? Better to have a second person (at least) who knows the ropes, who knows
Use Mable to pay privately while waiting for a Home Care Package
From 1 November 2025, the Support at Home program replaced the Home Care Package program. Rules that apply under Support at Home may be different to those that applied to the Home Care Package program mentioned in this article. To learn more about the Support at Home program, visit our Topic Library or the official Support at Home website . Most people want nothing more than to maintain their independence – even if they need some support. Unfortunately, Home Care Packages (HCP) are a long-awaited source of support funding that has thousands left wondering when they will receive it. As an alternative, many elderly Australians are self-funding their support through options like Mable. The Department of Health states the average waiting time for a home care package to be approved can last as long as six months to a year depending on the level of the package in question. For those wanting to live independently for as long as possible, home care packages are integral to allowing choice,