How to Understand Your Home Care Package Eligibility

We can all agree that it is important for older individuals to remain in their own homes for as long as they like. Home Care Packages (HCPs) make this possible with coordinated care for those with complex needs, but who is and isn’t eligible for them?

We’ll take a look at all of this below, so you’ll have an in-depth understanding of HCP eligibility by the time you’ve finished reading.

A support worker assisting a client at home.

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Who's eligible for Home Care Package funding?
Key eligibility requirements
The application and assessment process
Eligibility for different levels
Understanding self-management

Who's eligible for Home Care Package funding?

The short answer

Australians aged over 65 (over 50 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) who need assistance to live safely at home. Younger individuals with disability, dementia, or specific care needs not covered by other services may also qualify. Low-income people 50+ (45+ for Indigenous Australians) experiencing or at risk of homelessness may also be eligible.

The longer answer

Eligibility is determined through assessment by an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) or Service (ACAS) based on care needs rather than finances. An individual's financial situation only affects the fees contributed toward care costs. From November 2025, the Support at Home Program will replace existing packages, streamlining in-home aged care delivery.

Key eligibility requirements for Home Care Packages

Eligibility for HCPs and the future Support at Home Program requires meeting specific age, residency, and care needs criteria. Along with the age requirements mentioned above, applicants must be Australian residents with ongoing care needs. Unfortunately, the program isn't designed for temporary visitors or those requiring only short-term assistance.

The most crucial eligibility factor is a comprehensive needs assessment conducted by an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) or Service (ACAS in Victoria). This evaluation examines physical and mental health, functional capacity, social support networks, and home safety to determine eligibility and the appropriate funding level.

For the upcoming Support at Home Program, a new Single Assessment System will streamline the evaluation process for all aged care support types.

A client laughing with their support worker in a park.

The application and assessment process

Applications follow a structured process through My Aged Care, the central contact point for Australian aged care services. You can expect the following steps as part of this:

Step one

The process begins with registration via the My Aged Care website or by calling 1800 200 422.

Step two

During registration, you’ll provide information about your living situation, health, and assistance needs.

Step three

After an initial screening call to gather more detailed information, My Aged Care determines whether to refer you to a Regional Assessment Service for lower-level needs or an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) or Service (ACAS in Victoria) for complex care requirements.

Step four

The ACAT/ACAS assessment involves a home visit to evaluate your physical and mental health, daily living abilities, social support, and home safety.

Eligibility for different Home Care Package levels

The ACAT/ACAS assessment determines the complexity and intensity of care required, which will also explain the level of funding and support allocated. This tiered program ensures that you receive a higher level of funding and access to a broader range of services if that’s what you need. The basic daily fee also varies by package level and is part of the overall cost contributing to the care services provided.

The current HCP program offers four levels of support:

Level 1 is designed for basic care needs, providing approximately $10,698 per year.
Level 2 supports low-level care needs with an annual subsidy of approximately $18,812.
Level 3 caters to intermediate care needs, providing an annual subsidy of approximately $40,945.
Level 4 is for high-level care, offering an annual subsidy of approximately $62,075.

From 1 November 2025, the Support at Home Program will introduce eight classification levels for ongoing services. The indicative annual funding for these classifications will range from approximately $11,000 to $78,000.

A support worker pushing a client in a wheelchair.

Understanding self-management of a Home Care Package

Self-management can give you greater control over your care and funding allocation. If you decide to go this way, you’ll be able to select care workers, schedule services, and manage your own budget. A HCP provider will help with managing and administering the budget allocated to you, making it easier to find suitable providers based on specific needs and preferences.

The benefits of self-management include:

Increased flexibility in choosing care providers and service timing.
Potential cost savings through reduced management fees.
Access to service options beyond the standard network.

However, self-management requires significant time commitment and organisational skills for recruiting staff, coordinating schedules, tracking expenses, and ensuring compliance. You’ll need to communicate regularly with your approved provider to keep everything running smoothly.

What happens if you are not eligible for a Home Care Package?

If you are unfortunately ineligible for a HCP, this isn’t necessarily the end of your care journey, so don’t worry! Here are some other options available to you:

You may be referred to the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP), which provides entry-level services like domestic assistance, transport, and basic personal care. CHSP helps those with lower-level needs maintain independence and will transition into the Support at Home Program after July 2027.
You can explore private home care options, paying directly for tailored services.
If your care needs increase over time, you can reapply for assessment through My Aged Care to determine if you now qualify.