Questions about help at home
How do I get help at home?
You can receive government-funded help at home through the Commonwealth Home Support Program, or a Home Care Package.
To find out which program you are eligible for, you need to apply for an assessment. You can apply online or call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422.
What home support services can I get?
If you’re eligible to receive home support, there are different services that can help you live independently at home.
These can include services to:
- keep you well and independent, like food preparation
- help you with showering or dressing
- help manage medications
- help maintain your mobility
- keep you safe at home, like cleaning, home maintenance, and mobility aids
- connect with your community, like transport to appointments or activities, in-home social calls, and group activities.
You will need to apply for an assessment through My Aged Care to find out which of these services you’re eligible to receive.
What is the difference between the Commonwealth Home Support Program and Home Care Packages?
The Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) provides support for people with low level care needs. If you’re able to manage, but need support with a few tasks at home, you might be eligible for CHSP.
A Home Care Package is for people who have more complex needs. You may be eligible for a Home Care Package, if you need many care and support services on an ongoing basis to help you live independently. This will provide a package of care and services and go beyond what the CHSP can provide.
Can I get Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) and Home Care Package (HCP) services at the same time?
Generally, no. This ensures that services reach as many people as possible.
There are some special circumstances where you can access short-term CHSP services – while receiving a Home Care Package. In most cases, your Home Care Package budget needs to be fully allocated before this can happen. Your Home Care Package budget won’t be charged, however you will need to contribute to the cost of these services. If you need goods, equipment and/or assistive technology urgently, you may also be able to access these in the short-term too.
If you think you need short-term CHSP services, you will need a reassessment, to find out if you’re eligible. Speak to your Home Care Package provider or call My Aged Care. Read more about reassessments.
What’s the difference between Home Care Package levels?
There are four different levels of Home Care Package, depending on your assessed needs:
- Level 1: Basic assistance – provides help with tasks such as cleaning, grooming, meals, shopping and transport. This usually includes one or two visits a week from an aged care worker.
- Level 2: Low care needs – provides the same help as Level 1, but can be three or four visits a week from an aged care worker.
- Level 3: Intermediate care –provides more support at home, most days of the week. This can include visits from a care worker, nurse, and allied health workers. May also include some home modifications and equipment, such as grab rails, bed hoists or electric adjustable beds.
- Level 4: High-level care – provides high level or complex care needs, which can include daily visits. May also include considerable home modifications based on your assessed needs.
What is the Home Care Packages program manual?
This Home Care Packages Program Manual includes information about:
- the Home Care Packages Program and how it operates
- what’s included and excluded from Home Care Packages, to help you work with your provider to decide if a type of care or service is appropriate to meet your aged care needs
- how fees and charges are calculated.
Where can I find information about the help at home aged care reforms?
If you want to learn more about the aged care reforms, including how to get involved, visit the Improving Australia's aged care system page.