Are Private Pay Retirees Eligible for Home Care Packages?

21 June 2024

Private pay retirees are eligible for government-funded Home Care Packages. That said, the Home Care Packages system can be tricky to navigate, especially when it comes to understanding your fees and government contributions. So, let us first take a look at the steps to getting a Home Care Package.

Step 1: Assessment

You need to be assessed as eligible to receive a Home Care Package by an Aged Care Assessment Team. Read more about the process here or call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 to organise an assessment.

Step 2: Package Assignment

Once you are approved for a package, you are placed in the National Priority System (NPS) queue, to await assignment of your package. Your place on the NPS is based on the date you were approved and level of priority. Information on estimated wait times is available here. You will be sent a letter when you are assigned a Home Care Package.

Step 3: Choosing Your Provider

Once assigned a package, you will choose a provider who will manage your ongoing assessed care needs and goals. You will enter into a Home Care Agreement with your chosen provider, and together you will create an agreed care plan. You can use the ‘Find a Provider’ tool on My Aged Care to compare providers in your area.

Step 4: Income assessment

You may need to contribute to the cost of your care by paying a basic daily fee and/or an income tested care fee. Services Australia will do an income assessment to check if you need to pay the income tested care fee. This fee does not apply to full pensioners. Services Australia also assesses claims for financial hardship support if needed. To have your income assessed, please complete the SA456 form available here. A provider cannot waive or remove income tested care fees and must charge the maximum fee for non-pensioners who do not complete an income assessment.

The Private Pay & Home Care Packages Breakdown

Government Home Care Package Clients:

24-hour on call service
All care under direct care management supervision
All carers are introduced to client by care manager – no additional charge
Assistance in arranging an ACAT assessment
Assistance with navigating My Aged Care website/services
Care plan designed to meet client’s specific needs and budget
Continuity of service – consistent carer/team of carers
Services offered after hours, weekends, and public holidays
All Home Care Package funds are applied to the provision of services – no deductions
Experienced, screened, and insured carers with a minimum of a Certificate III qualification
Clients can choose their carer
We match our carers to our clients based on background and interests
We do charge care management fees, but we do not charge package management or administration fees
No charge for care plan
No charge for initial assessment
No charge for supervisory visits
No charge for transport costs of the carer
No exit fees
No subscriptions
Special couple's rate

Private Pay Clients:

24-hour on call service
All care under direct care management supervision
All carers are introduced to client by care manager – no additional charge
Care plan designed to meet your specific needs and budget
Continuity of service – consistent carer/team of carers
Experienced, screened, and insured carers with a minimum of a Certificate III qualification
Client can choose their carer
We match our carers to our clients based on background and interests
Services offered after hours, weekends, and public holidays
No charge for care planning
No charge for initial or subsequent assessments
No charge for supervisory visits
No charge for transport costs of the carer
No subscriptions
Special couple’s rate

Keep up to date with COVID 19 information on the following links:

Australian Government Department of Health

Victorian Health and Human Services

NSW Health

Queensland Health

ACT Health

WA Department of Health

Tasmanian Department of Health

Northern Territory Department of Health

SA Health

Founded in 1995, Right at Home offers in-home companionship and personal care, and assistance to seniors (elderly and aged care), and any adult who needs our care at home including adults living with a disability who want to continue to live independently or age in their home. Right at Home is your local expert for issues related to caring for your loved ones and is dedicated to keeping you informed about home care. With no package management fees, Right at Home allows you to get more care from your package or budget.

Right at Home is a 'My Aged Care' government approved, home care provider for levels 1 – 4 and offers flexible in-home care services such as nursing care, after hospital care, post-operative care, respite care, dementia and Alzheimer's care. Right at Home also offers assistance with daily living and personal care such as grooming, hygiene, transport, shopping, meal prep, domestic services and social support, so your loved one can enjoy a more independent, vibrant life. Our nurses and caregivers are screened, highly trained, and insured prior to entering your home so you can trust us with the caregiving while you focus on your loved one.