Manage your Home Care Package services

What if my needs change?

Your care needs may change over time. If this happens, you can change your services to better suit you. If you notice that your care needs change:

1. Talk to your provider in the first instance and ask for a review of your care plan  
   You may need a different combination of services to meet your new needs. Your provider will work with you to review your care plan and package budget.
2. Call My Aged Care for a reassessment
   If your provider can’t help, you may need to be reassessed for a higher level Home Care Package or other support services.

Can I take a break from my Home Care Package?

Yes. If you need to take leave to go into hospital, receive transition care or residential respite, protect yourself during an outbreak, or for social reasons such as going on a holiday, you can take time away from your Home Care Package. You should: 

1. Call your provider to let them know you are going away  
   Tell them the dates you’ll be away so that your services can be temporarily suspended. Your provider cannot deliver or charge you for any services, including care and package management, while you are on leave from your package.
2. Ask them what fees you will be asked to pay while on leave
   Depending on the type of leave and how long the leave is, your fees may be reduced.

Your Home Care Agreement will provide more information about what happens if you want or need to take leave. 

Hospital leave

If you need to go into hospital, you may find that after your hospital stay your care needs have changed. This may be temporary while you recover, or your needs may have changed permanently.

Transition care provides short-term support for older people after a hospital stay. Read more about transition care. 

Leave during an outbreak 

You might need to take leave to stay with family or friends during an infectious disease outbreak, such as COVID-19. 

Let your provider know the date that leave starts. This does not have to be in writing. 

Your aged care provider must: 

• stop delivering your services during the time you have taken leave 
• start delivering services again when you return from leave 
• inform you of any changes to fees and costs. 

Your provider must have emergency management plans in place and let you know how this works in their service. These discussions often happen during your care planning. 

Can I change providers?

Yes. Sometimes you may have to change providers; for example, if you move house. But changing can also be a choice. If you’re looking for a better fit, you may want to change to a provider that better suits you. You can do this at any time, and your current provider must support you in the move. You will need to:

1. Search for a new provider

   Find a new provider before agreeing on an end date with your current one. This will limit issues like a gap in service delivery if you don’t have a new provider ready.

   You can find a new home care provider by using the Find a provider tool. Or you can phone My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 and they will help you with your search.

   Check your Home Care Agreement so you know about any conditions such as notice periods that may apply. Previously your provider may have charged you an exit amount. From 1 January 2023, you cannot be charged for ceasing care with a provider.

2. Reactivate your referral code

   Once you have found a new provider, call My Aged Care to reactivate your referral code. You need to give this code to your new provider before you can start receiving services.

3. Inform your current provider and agree on an end date

   Together you will decide on the date when services will stop. The start date with your new provider must be on or after the end date you have agreed to with your old provider. Try to ensure that the end date of your old services and the start date of your new provider are the same. 

   This will help avoid any disruptions to your services. Any fees paid in advance must be refunded by your old provider.

4. Enter into a new Home Care Agreement

   You’ll need to enter into a Home Care Agreement with your new provider. For more information on entering into agreements, read our Agreeing to services page. 

    

What if I don’t start immediately?

You have 56 days commencing from the agreed end date with your current provider to enter into a Home Care Agreement with a new provider. If you do not enter into an Agreement by this time, your Home Care Package will be withdrawn. Within the 56 days, you can call My Aged Care to request an extension of a further 28 days if you need it. 

What if I have a complaint?

If you are unhappy with any aspect of the care or services you receive, there are two ways you can make a complaint:

• speak to your service provider
• contact the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.

Talk to your service provider first to see if they can help. They are there to support you and should listen to your concerns and take necessary action.

Sometimes, complaints can’t be resolved by your service provider. Or you may not feel comfortable raising your concerns with them. In such cases, you have the right to contact the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission. For more information, visit our Complaints page.