Home Care Package – Find Local Support Workers

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 (GEAT) to assist you in your everyday life.

Depending on your care needs, and level of HCP, these can range from specialised eating utensils to mobility aids. These products are used for either short-term or ongoing support, and may be recommended or prescribed by a healthcare professional.

Some examples of products covered by HCPs:

Specialised eating utensils
Enteral feeding equipment
Continence management products such as bedpans, catheters and general continence aids
Mobility aids such as crutches, walkers, walking frames and walking sticks
Shower chairs
Safety equipment
Assistive technology

Where can I purchase goods and equipment using my Home Care Package?

You can purchase everyday consumables through providers such as Mable Direct.

Mable Direct is an e-commerce site where you can buy consumables related to your care needs, and ship them direct to your home.

There is a wide range of affordable consumables available, including:

The consumables available on Mable Direct can be purchased using your HCP funding, provided they align with your needs.

Simply save your invoice from Mable Direct and claim through Services Australia.

You can learn more about HCP funding in our Home Care Package topic library.

To browse Mable Direct, or to make your first purchase, visit www.mabledirect.com.au.

Use your HCP funding and shop affordable consumables

Mable Direct

FAQs

How are my care needs determined?

Your care needs are determined during your initial Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) assessment. This assessment determines your eligibility for a Home Care Package, and in turn assesses your needs for living safely and independently in your home.

Who can prescribe or recommend products that I can buy using my Home Care Package?

Aside from your ACAT assessment, other professionals, such as general practitioners, registered nurses and health practitioners operating within their scope of practice can also recommend and prescribe products that can be purchased using your Home Care Package.

What can’t I spend my Home Care Package funding on?

You cannot use your Home Care Package funding on items and services that do not align to your specific care needs. Some examples include:

Groceries (with the exception of medically prescribed supplementary food products, such as vitamins)
Household appliances and whitegoods
Electronics for personal use
Personal care appointment costs (waxing, hairdressing, etc.)
Rent or mortgage payments
Household bills
Cost of participating in recreation (movie tickets, entry fees, craft supplies, etc.)
Expenses involved in buying and maintaining a personal vehicle
Public transport (trains, buses, etc.)
Home modifications that aren’t directly related to your care needs.

I am part of the Continence Aids Payment Scheme (CAPS), can I use my Home Care Package on continence products?

No, if you are part of CAPS you cannot use your HCP on continence products, as they have already been subsidised by the government.

What is Mable Direct?

Mable Direct provides independent support workers, clients, and coordinators with direct access to affordable consumables, equipment, and wearables for their everyday needs.

Clients can use NDIS or aged care funding to make purchases, as long as they align with their needs. With Mable Direct you get fast delivery and customer support.

Can I use my funding to buy consumables on Mable Direct?

The NDIS consumables budget allows you to spend up to $1,500 on reasonable and necessary consumables.

Learn more about how you can use your NDIS funding for consumables with our Guide to your NDIS consumables budget.

Five ways Mable could help you before you need aged care

As we age, we want the ability to do so independently – and conversations about aged care become more about the support we need to maintain our lifestyle and manage our health. But even when we’re living comfortably without any support, a little help from Mable can life easier in some surprising ways.

Here at Mable, we love looking at ways that people can live independently for longer; whether it’s making your house a smart home, or taking steps to adapt your lifestyle to support independent living. It may be too early for you to start thinking about applying for a Home Care Package. But while you may not need assistance with the tasks of daily living like cooking, showering or mobility, that doesn’t mean that you can’t find support to make life a little easier via Mable.

Mable is an online platform that enables you to find and engage independent support workers from within your local community. There might be people from your community who are providing social support and domestic assistance, as well as more traditional types of support such as personal care and nursing.

Increasingly, we are seeing Mable clients use the platform to find these people to provide services that are not typically associated with aged care.

Seeking help around the home?

As we get a little older (and for some of us, at any age) there are certain things around the house that we’d like a little help with. Recently we’ve seen an increase in clients using the platform to find a handyman to do those jobs that they’d rather not. Whether it’s hanging a painting in a tricky spot, helping out with odd jobs and repairs or clearing out the gutters, chances are, there’s someone in the Mable community who can help you out.

Helping out with your pets

As we’ve explored, pets can bring a host of health, social and economic benefits. But as we get older, or even just busier, the time required to take care of pets can be hard to manage. Whether it’s finding someone to look after them when you can’t be there, or transporting them to the vets when you’re not able, on Mable you can find independent support workers to assist you with taking care of your pets. On the Mable, support workers will indicate on their profiles whether they are ‘pet friendly’, so you can be sure to approach the right workers for assistance.

Staying active

The older we get, the desire (if not the ability) to maintain a fitness regime can wane. Despite this, we know that there are lots of small ways that we can work towards maintaining our optimum health as we age. This is where a support worker can help. Mable’s community of independent support workers include people whose passion is fitness and nutrition. And if you’re not up for adopting an exercise regime, there are those that are looking to share their love of recreation sports like surfing or hiking with clients who are willing to give it a try.

Help with a passion project

One of the great things about Mable is the flexibility. As you’re in charge, you can select different independent support workers to provide different services at the times that suit you. One Mable client recently reported that she’d used the platform to engage one support worker to translate a poem from Italian, another to help her to organise her stamp collection, and someone else to accompany her on a week’s holiday.

One of our recent requests of the week was a client looking for a support worker to accompany her to a leather-working class while Mable client Doug engaged his independent support worker to help him work on a history project. If you have a project, hobby or new pursuit you would like help with, chances are you can find someone on Mable who’ll share that interest, too.

Keeping things in order

Independent support workers on Mable providing social and domestic assistance understand that sometimes support might simply be about keeping things tidy. Tired of worrying about the housework, or need some help restoring your garden to its former glory? Maybe you’d just like to engage someone to mow the lawn? That’s the kind of help you can find amongst our community.

Have an idea of something you’d like some help with? Post a job on the Mable platform to see who can assist.

Do you make these mistakes when you think about aged care?

If you’re that person who will do anything to avoid or delay thinking about aged care, even when you know there’s a pressing need, then take heart: you’re not alone. Aged care gets a bad press – and rightly so in many cases, as the recent Royal Commission into Quality and Safety in Aged Care has shown. But aged care hesitancy is more complicated than fear of substandard services and abuse.

Our fear of aged care is deeply connected with our fear and rejection of ageing generally. From childhood we are told that old is bad, sad and lonely and we will go to great lengths to hide or deny the most natural of processes – the passing of time. As a result, we often avoid acknowledging age-related problems or even having practical conversations and, ironically, we put ourselves at greater risk in the long term.

If we want to be on the front foot about ageing well and – ideally, for most people – avoiding entry to residential care, we need to change some of our thinking, get smart and stop making these mistakes.

Mistake 1: Thinking ‘aged care’ = nursing homes

It’s hardly surprising that the phrase, ‘aged care’, conjures up visions of very frail, very old people confined to beds or chairs in short-staffed homes with bad food. Media reporting on Australia’s recent Royal Commission into aged care overwhelmingly focused on residential aged care, even though the big majority of people using aged care services are living at home. In any given year, the number of people aged over 65 who go into a residential aged care home is about 7% – and that number is reducing.

Mistake 2: Putting off the decision to get support

People often make the mistake of ‘holding out’ for as long as possible from getting the support they need because they worry that aged care is a ‘slippery slope’. They think that, once they have ‘given in’ to the system, they will gradually lose control over the lives they have always lived and there is no turning back. Unfortunately, persistently ignoring the need for a bit of assistance can lead to more serious problems and the need for a lot more assistance. As in so many aspects of life, a stitch in time saves nine.

Mistake 3: Not taking control of your support needs

It’s understandable. Most of us don’t know much about the aged care system and what we do know comes largely from scary media reports or our own experience with a family member. We are wary and tentative (sometimes terrified) about loss of independence and diminished control over our lives. While we can’t always control the health or other challenges we might face, we do have the right to choice and control over the services and supports we receive to meet our needs. Remember, the system is here to support us to age well: to provide assistance if and when we need it, in the way we need it, and for however long we need it; including being able to dip in and out as our needs change. And unless there is a health or medical reason otherwise, we always remain in control.

Mistake 4: Not knowing your options

You’ve no doubt heard that great adage: you don’t know what you don’t know. When it comes to aged care, there’s a lot to know and most of us have only the most superficial understanding of what’s on offer and how it works – until we need to. You’ve probably heard lots of horror stories about how complicated it is and how powerless people can feel, especially if it is an urgent encounter with the system. So the other important adage to highlight here is: knowledge is power. Do yourself a favour and invest some time in understanding the options and processes. Visit the government’s MyAgedCare website (it’s being improved all the time) or read our brief but helpful article about how home care works.

Mistake 5: Just letting the system choose

When it comes to homecare, you have some options to consider and it pays (often literally) to think about them. Firstly, anyone eligible for a home care package, has to choose a ‘package provider’. That’s an organisation approved by the government to ‘hold’ or ‘host’ the funding. The next choice is the important one. Depending on your needs and circumstances, you can choose how much or how little involvement you have in how the package is managed and who provides the different services you need.

If you prefer minimum involvement and you’re pretty flexible and accommodating about your needs, you might choose to have all your services delivered and managed by your package provider with just a little guidance from you. But you can also play a bigger part in the management of the Home Care Package, including fully managing it yourself: choosing your own service providers (support workers) and managing your own funding, within the guidelines. That’s called ‘self-management’. It’s not for everyone but it can make a big difference to a lot of people as they navigate new life challenges. The bottom line is, know your choices – don’t just let the system choose for you.

Choosing self-management

For people who want to try self-management – even a little – Mable helps you connect with independent care and support workers in your community and choose the people who share your interests and suit your needs best.

Helping your ageing parents to plan for the future

If you feel your parents are at a point in their life where they need a bit more support in their day to day lives, but that they value their independence and want to remain living at home, you can work together to help build them a safe, secure home and future.

Ensure in-home safety

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, seven in 10 older Australians are homeowners. If they’re finding it difficult to navigate their home and use their appliances and furniture, you should let them know that they can find help.

Ensuring your loved ones’ safety is as simple as doing a quick check of their home. Spend some time looking in each room and assessing the potential hazards that may affect your parents. Take notice of trip hazards like floor rugs, furniture or boxes and find where more lighting is needed. Home modifications can be expensive, but by arranging furniture to minimise risk, you’re taking the first step to help your parents live comfortably and safely.

Organise travel and transport

Travel is often something we take for granted, and we don’t recognise how handy it is to have a transport option until it is taken away from us. If your loved ones are finding it hard to drive and travel independently, you can help them discover an alternative. Take some time to discuss important aspects of your parents’ mobility:

Ask them if they feel safe and confident while driving.
Work with them to create a schedule of their weekly errands which require them to travel.
Discuss alternatives such as public transport, carpooling with trusted neighbours or engaging with a trusted Independent Support Worker from Mable, through which you can receive many other support services.
Remind them that you want them to live independently and that you’re here to help.

Open up the conversation

Having a conversation about your parents’ changing mobility can be tough, but it will likely always result in a clearer outlook for your parents. Their needs should always come first, so when you’re looking around their home for hazards or sitting down to chat about transport, ask for their thoughts, opinions and ideas. Encourage them to tell you about their experiences and start a discussion about how they’d like to improve their lifestyle.

Don’t be too concerned if your loved one is uncomfortable talking about the future. With the right words, you have the ability to spark a healthy discussion about old age and finding the most suitable support option. If your loved one is reluctant to have this discussion, or you want to find the best words to communicate your concerns, you can use one of these conversation starters.

Plan ahead

If your parents are expressing interest in finding care and support or you think they might benefit from an extra hand with things such as shopping and transportation, take a look around for support options and spend time with them so they can make the right decision. Mable gives the control back to your loved ones and empowers them to build and manage a support system that suits their individual needs.

If you think your parents could benefit from having a local, independent support worker help out in the house and garden, Mable might just be the right option for them and you. Find an independent support worker and start building your support team today.

How to encourage your parents to accept aged care support

Convincing your parents or loved ones they might need support with daily living tasks can be challenging, but it shouldn’t need to be. With the right approach, it can be an opportunity to talk to your parents about how to maintain their independence for longer.

Five things to consider when discussing support with your ageing parents

1. Seek a second opinion

For many ageing parents, role reversal can be difficult to accept as adult children take on caregiver responsibilities. Finding support for your parents can initially involve a visit from a member of the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT). This removes personal biases and can get the ball rolling on a government funding application.

2. Allow your parents to take control

Invite your parents to take control by asking them to browse the profiles of independent support workers in their local neighbourhood. They can select support workers themselves, start a conversation and together, decide what services will be provided and when, and what hourly rate will be charged. This can all be done in the comfort of their home.

3. Start small and start early

Most people don’t consider aged care until there’s a crisis, such as a fall or failing health.

Introduce the idea of proactively getting support in small increments, such as engaging someone to help with housework, then assistance with shopping or gardening. Once your parent has someone familiar in their home providing regular support, increasing the hours will be easier.

4. Consider positioning

You may be interested in an article about five things that can help people maintain independence for longer. Frame the discussion with your parents so engaging an independent support worker becomes about enabling your parents to continue living independently.

5. Accept your limitations

Another important article explores the importance of dignity of risk and an individual’s right to make decisions about their life. As much as we may know our parents need support, it can’t be forced on them.

Start the conversation

‘It’s important you follow a lifestyle of your choosing’

Most older Australians want nothing more than to live independently at home for as long as possible. Remind them they can still live a lifestyle of their choosing while receiving necessary support.

‘Do you think you’d benefit from an extra hand around the house and garden?’

A good time to ask this question is while you’re observing any difficulties they’re having.

‘We can work together to find you the right support’

Remind your loved one they’re not alone in connecting with support and that they can be in charge, that you’re here to help and you can completely organise their supports if they’d prefer.

‘Your funding gives you access to so many support options – let’s discuss which would suit you’

If your loved one receives financial support through a Home Care Package or the Commonwealth Home Support Programme, let them know their funding can be used in many ways. Support options can be tailored to them.

Find out more about how Mable works.

How to access aged care funding in Australia

Through aged care funding, you may be able to get access to services and support that are subsidised by the Australian Government. These services and support could include help with transport, housework, personal care as well as specialised long-term/short-term accommodation, such as nursing homes.

Find out more about aged care and whether you need it.

The first step to accessing funding is to meet the eligibility criteria. The government funds both home care and residential aged care (or nursing homes). Once you are eligible for either, the funding is paid to the ‘approved provider’ you choose, and you can start accessing the services set out during your assessment.

In both cases — home care and residential aged care — the individual may need to pay a contribution too.

Find out more about Support At Home fees and charges.

Do you need aged care support?

If you’re over the age of 65, or an Indigenous Australian over the age of 50, and you’re not managing things as well as you used to, aged care support services could make a big difference to your life by helping you stay healthy and mobile, keep your home liveable (i.e. modifications to your home to help you live independently), remain active and stay connected to your community, or get personal care if you’re recovering from illness or a fall.

Home-based aged care programs in Australia

Funding for home-based aged care in Australia falls into two government-subsidised aged care programs, each catering for a different level of support. These are called the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) which provides lower-level supports, and the Support At Home program which provides support for higher needs. Learn more about each of the home-based support programs below.

Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP)

CHSP provides support for people needing just a few basic services to help them live independently in their own home. It doesn’t suit people with more complex support needs.

Under the CHSP, you can access help for services such as meal preparation, transport, nursing care, etc. Find out more about the support you can get through CHSP.

To be eligible for the CHSP, you need to be aged 65 years and over, or 50 years and over if you’re an Indigenous Australian. However, if you’re on a low income, homeless or at risk of being homeless, that age requirement is reduced to 50 years, or 45 years if you identify as an Indigenous Australian. You will also need to undergo an assessment to determine eligibility and the level of support you need. You can apply online or by calling 1800 200 422.

Once you have met the eligibility requirements, you need to find a service provider, an organisation that delivers care and services to you at a subsidised price. CHSP will continue to operate until it transitions to the Support at Home program, no earlier than 1 July 2027.

Support at Home

The Support at Home program is designed for older Australians who need support to live independently at home. Starting from 1 November 2025, it replaces the Home Care Packages (HCP) Program and Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) Programme. To access Support at Home, the first step is to undergo an aged care assessment using the new Single Assessment System with the Integrated Assessment Tool (IAT). If the assessment finds that your support needs meet the eligibility for the program, you will be eligible.

The eligibility requirements for Support at Home are that you are aged 65 years or older (50 years or older if you identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander), living at home and need help to maintain your independence and continue doing the things you enjoy.

Once you have been approved for Support at Home at the appropriate classification level, you will be allocated funding through the Support at Home Priority System. This system assigns a priority rating (urgent, high, medium, or standard) based on your needs, with higher priority levels receiving funding more quickly. The government aims to reduce average waiting times to around 3 months. If there’s high demand, recipients may receive an interim allocation (up to 60%) of their Support at Home budget while waiting for full funding.

Your assessment will result in a Notice of Decision with an individual support plan that outlines your classification, quarterly budget, and approved services. You can then choose a Support at Home provider to work with. While waiting for your funding to be allocated, you can start searching for a provider and decide how you want to manage your funding, including whether you want to self-manage your Support at Home.

Once your funding is available, you can contact your provider to start the sign-on process. You’ll work with them to implement your care plan and decide how to use your budget. Your provider will coordinate and manage those services for you, with care management fees capped at 10%. Support at Home offers 8 classification levels with annual budgets ranging from approximately $11,000 to $78,000, split into quarterly allocations. You can carry over up to $1,000 or 10% of your quarterly budget between quarters to meet unplanned needs.

Residential aged care

This type of aged care support may be the best option for older people who have more intensive healthcare and personal care needs that mean they aren’t able to live in their own home. In residential aged care, you don’t have to give up your needs and interests regarding social and emotional support either. That’s part of the deal. Residential aged care is also available for those who need short-term care, for example, respite care, to give family member carers some time out.

As with all forms of aged care, the Commonwealth government funds residential aged care for all eligible people aged 65 plus (or 50 years and over for Indigenous Australians). To find out whether you’re eligible, you’ll need to apply for an aged care assessment. Regardless of your eligibility, you’ll pay the residential home a basic daily fee. Above that, the costs you’ll pay will depend on your financial situation.

You can find out more about costs, or apply for subsidised residential aged care.

FAQs

Why is aged care important in Australia?

The aged care system ensures all Australians can get the support they need to stay safe, healthy and independent as they grow older.

Who is eligible for aged care services in Australia?

Broadly speaking, seniors aged 65 years and over, or Indigenous Australians aged 50 years and over, who are assessed as eligible for aged care services.

What are the three main types of aged care services in Australia?

The Support at Home program, Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP), and residential aged care.

What is aged care and do you need it?

As you age, you might need more support to take care of your everyday needs and continue to do the things you enjoy. That’s where the aged care system can help. So what is aged care?

Aged care is the term we use to describe the support provided to older people either in their own home, or in an aged care home. It can include help with everyday living, including cooking and cleaning; health care; specialised accommodation; and equipment to keep you mobile, such as walking frames or ramps. Aged care can be Government-funded for people who are eligible.

The importance of aged care services

Most Australians want to be in charge of decisions about how they live their lives, all their lives, even if they have to deal with health and mobility challenges. That’s how the aged care system can help.

If you are struggling to manage some of the things you want and need to do as you get older, aged care support services can help, enabling you to continue to live where and how you want to live, for as long as possible.

Should you be planning for aged care?

It’s common to avoid thinking about ageing. It may be uncomfortable or challenging to accept that you or your loved one may need support. However, it can do a world of good to start thinking about ageing well by avoiding common mistakes and misconceptions around ageing.

By acknowledging the incremental losses and new needs that naturally come with ageing, even at a very low level can help prevent or delay more serious problems and retain independence longer.

Who is eligible for aged care services?

Generally speaking, government funded aged care services are available for people over 65 years of age (or Indigenous Australians aged 50+) who need extra support to continue living well.

You might be eligible if you meet certain criteria, including:

Having experienced a recent fall, reduced mobility or changes in your memory capacity.
Being diagnosed with a medical condition.
Having changes in your existing care arrangements.

Depending on your eligibility, the government may fund your needs partially or entirely. If you’re not eligible, you can find Independent Support Workers through Mable for the kind of support you need, and pay privately with your own funds.

You can check your eligibility on MyAgedCare or apply for an assessment.

Types of aged care support and services

Aged care support and services fall into three categories.

Care in your own home

This aims to help you stay independent at home as you age. It includes services such as transport, personal and health care, housework, social support and modifications to your home. Help at home can be accessed through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) or the Support at Home Program.

Find out more about Support At Home.

Care in an aged care facility

Care in an aged-care home/nursing home/residential aged care facility – if you’re unable to manage in your own home, and need ongoing help with everyday tasks or health care.

Learn more about the differences between home care and residential aged care.

Short-term care

If you need more intensive care following a hospital stay, or your loved ones need a short break from caring for you, short-term care could include support for a few hours, days or up to 12 weeks.

How do I access aged care services?

First, you’ll need to do an assessment – apply on the MyAgedCare website or phone 1800 200 422 to speak to someone at My Aged Care. Thereafter, the assessor will help you connect with the relevant service providers – or you might prefer to find your own, using the referral code they provide you with.

Learn more about accessing funding for aged care.

How much does aged care cost?

Assessments for aged care are completely free, however, you may have to contribute towards the services you need The aged care costs you pay depend on the types of services and providers you use, i.e. CHSP, Support at Home, short-term care or a residential aged care facility.

Find out more about the fees and costs involved in Support at Home.

Getting aged care support through Mable

There are two ways to access support through Mable:

By using your Support At Home funding to find Independent Support Workers through the platform. If you self-manage your Support At Home funding and book independent support workers on Mable, you could get twice as many hours of support from the same funding. Find out how Support At Home funding works.
By paying privately to find support through the platform. Find out more about how to help a parent who needs aged care support.

I’m not eligible for a Home Care Package, what can I do?

Eligibility for a Home Care Package (HCP) is based on a person’s care needs and is determined by an Aged Care Assessment Test (ACAT). After meeting the eligibility criteria for an ACAT assessment, if the assessor decides you only need a low level of support – perhaps only one or two services – you may not be deemed eligible for a Home Care Package, but you may be suited for help at home through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP).

Eligibility criteria for an ACAT assessment includes:

Being more than 65 years of age (50+ for Torres Strait Islander/Aboriginal people)
Your level of independence to go about daily activities such as personal care, eating, dressing, etc.

How do I know I’m ineligible for a Home Care Package?

If you’re not found eligible to receive a home care package, you will receive a letter explaining why and who to contact for more help. You may be eligible for other care services and, if so, this information will be included with your letter.

If your care needs change at any time, you can request a new ACAT assessment by contacting MyAgedCare. If you don’t receive an approval letter explaining your assessment outcome, call MyAgedCare on 1800 200 422 and request a copy.

Can I make a complaint or appeal the decision?

Yes, you can. If you have concerns:

Call your ACAT assessor to talk through your concerns and request their help
If you can’t resolve your complaint with your assessor, you can ask to escalate the matter to the state or territory government department manager
If you still can’t resolve the matter, you can write to the Secretary of the Department of Health within 28 days of receiving your letter from the ACAT.

What support is available?

Entry level of support for one or two services, including help with shopping and meals, can be received through the CHSP. A CHSP assessment is conducted by a regional assessment team.

With time, however, you may likely need increased levels of support and may become eligible for a home care package. There are four levels of HCPs that range from basic care needs to complex care needs.

Alternatively, you can connect with independent support workers through Mable and pay privately for the services you need.

Finding support through Mable

Even without a package, people looking for aged care can directly engage with a variety of independent support workers on the Mable platform.

The community of support workers on Mable provides affordable aged care. They are thoroughly checked and are only able to provide support once they are approved under the strict processes. You can find out more about the approval process.

The Mable platform is designed to provide clients with as much choice, personalisation and independence as possible by allowing clients to post jobs, select support workers and negotiate payments.

Privately paying for your support means you can access the independence that some service providers may not offer. If you’re looking for an alternative support option while you wait for a HCP or are considering a different support system, Mable’s flexibility and affordability can help you regain that independence.

How to prepare for an ACAT assessment

An Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) assessment is a vital step to receiving the right home care and support for your needs.

It’s important you are prepared for the assessment, as it will impact the level of support you can receive through a Home Care Package, residential care or respite care.

What is an ACAT assessment

An ACAT assessment (some refer to this as a ‘home care assessment’) is a comprehensive assessment that determines your eligibility to begin receiving care.

The types of care an ACAT can assess you for include:

Home Care Packages
Short-term care options such as restorative care or transition care
Aged care homes

Who does an ACAT assessment

Your ACAT assessment will be carried out by a professional with a medical background. This includes doctors, nurses, occupational therapists, social workers or other health experts.

How to apply for an ACAT assessment

To arrange an ACAT assessment, you need to contact the customer service centre of My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or fill out the online form.

To apply for the online ACAT assessment, there are three parts:

Checking you are eligible
Capturing your details
Confirming who the assessor should call to arrange the assessment.

You will need your Medicare card and enough time to complete it. You may authorise another person to organise this for you on your behalf. They, or any person with a legitimate interest in your health, can make a referral for you.

How to prepare for your ACAT assessment?

According to MyAgedCare, there are a couple things you may have to bring with you during your ACAT assessment, including:

Your Medicare number
Copies of any referrals from your GP
Contact details of your GP or health professional
Information about any current support you receive.

Once you have registered to be assessed via MyAgedCare, it may take up to 12 weeks to receive the date of your ACAT assessment. The assessment will most likely take place in your own home, meaning you can have a family member or friend by your side throughout the assessment. Your assessor may need to also speak to these people to get a better understanding of your existing support.

During your assessment, make sure you voice any questions you might have, such as what services might suit you, what support your carer or support worker has access to, which service providers can represent you culturally or religiously and how you can contact the assessor for any further questions.

What happens at the ACAT assessment?

Here’s how a typical ACAT assessment will run:

You’ll consent to the assessment to begin

Before the assessment begins, the assessor will confirm with you that you agree to have the assessment. They may also ask for your permission to talk to people who are supporting you on your aged care journey, such as family, or your carer.

There may be forms to complete

If you are receiving a comprehensive assessment for services such as home care, residential care, and flexible care, you may need to fill out a form called an Application for Care Form.

You’ll have a conversation about your needs

Your assessor will have a copy of the information you provided to the My Aged Care contact centre, so they will have an understanding of the type of support you may need.

They will also ask you some questions to help them understand further. These are likely to include:

What support you already have
Your health and whether you have any health concerns
Your lifestyle
If you have any issues or concerns with your memory
Community and family participation

Your care plan will be developed

Next, you’ll work with your assessor to develop your care plan. Your care plan will record what was discussed during your assessment, including:

Your strengths
Areas where you need support
The level of care you need
Goals you want to achieve
Any preferences you have for your support services.

Check your rights

An ACAT assessment may seem overwhelming and invasive as you discuss your ongoing personal needs. It’s important to remember that throughout your assessment, you have the right to:

Be treated with respect and dignity
Be notified of assessment process and what is happening and why
Discuss your concerns, ideas and views
Have your information be treated in confidence
Have an interpreter, relative, friend or carer with you during the assessment
To speak to be an independent advocate who can provide advice or talk on behalf of you.

Once your assessment is complete, your assessor will make a formal decision about your needs and notify you of your eligibility to receive a Home Care Package, residential care or other services you might need.

If you become approved for a Home Care Package following your ACAT assessment, you’ll most likely go on a national waitlist, meaning you won’t immediately receive your funding. Luckily, in the meantime, you can book independent support workers on Mable and pay privately home care services. While you’re on the waiting list, you can also search for and choose a Home Care Package provider.

Once you’ve received your home care package funding, you can use the funding to start self-managing your Home Care Package to build your team of support workers on Mable.

By booking and managing support through Mable:

You have choice and control over who supports you, when and where they support you, and how much you pay for the support
You’re safeguarded by Mable’s verification and the high-level suite of insurances arranged by Mable on behalf of support workers.

FAQs

Can I track the status of my assessment application?

Yes, you can log on to your MyAgedCare account to track your application. If your application is successful, an assessor will contact you to arrange an assessment.

What if I’m not eligible for an ACAT assessment?

Even if you’re not eligible, you can still connect with Independent Support Workers through Mable and pay privately for support services.

If significant time has passed since you were last deemed ineligible for an ACAT assessment, your needs may have changed. You can ask for a reassessment by calling MyAgedCare on 1800 200 422.

What if I don’t want to take an ACAT assessment?

If you don’t want to participate in an ACAT assessment, you can choose an aged care provider that isn’t government funded. Note that you will have to pay the full cost of your care.

I’ve had an ACAT assessment, but my needs have changed. What should I do?

It’s possible that since the last time you were assessed, your circumstances have changed. Perhaps the tasks that you could do then have become more difficult or unmanageable for you. If you’re already receiving subsidised aged care services, but need to be reassessed:

Speak to your current provider to review your care plan
Your service provider will contact your MyAgedCare assessor.

You’re on a waitlist for a Home Care Package – now what?

Congratulations! You have met the eligibility requirements of a Home Care Package (HCP) to secure a spot on the HCP waiting list.

Typically, there is a long wait for approvals for the packages – as long as six months to a year, depending on the package level approved.

As of 31 December 2022, 235,599 people had access to a HCP, with 40% of those receiving a Level 2 package.

The HCP program provides funding at four levels of care, ranging from low-level care needs (Level 1) to high-level care needs (Level 4). The services provided under the packages are tailored to the individual’s needs. Find out more about the different levels of a HCP.

In the interim, you may be eligible for entry-level support services to live independently and safely at home, through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP). Alternatively, you can connect with independent support workers through Mable and pay privately till you receive your allocated HCP.

Find out below what options are available to you as you wait for your HCP to kick in.

What to do while you wait for your Home Care Package

Pay privately for support through Mable

If you’re currently in the queue for a HCP, paying privately for your support may be an inevitable option, but it doesn’t have to be expensive. Even without a package, people looking for aged care support services can connect directly with a variety of independent support workers on the Mable platform.

Through Mable, you can connect with independent support workers who are experienced in aged care and dementia support and negotiate directly with them to choose when and where you want to receive support, and how much you want to pay for it. There are rigorous checks in place to ensure they are only permitted to provide support once they are approved under the strict processes followed by Mable. Find out what safeguards Mable has in place.

Given that you’re likely to be paying out of pocket while you’re waiting for your HCP to become available, it’s important to make sure your money is going a long way. Want to compare home care package costs with private costs? Explore this article on HCP fees and charges.

When your HCP funding becomes available and you’ve found an Approved Provider to host your package, you can simply let Mable know by updating your account and payment details.

The platform is designed to provide clients with as much choice, personalisation and independence as possible by allowing clients to post jobs, select their preferred support workers and negotiate payments.

Find a Home Care Package provider

You don’t have to wait till you receive your funding to find a HCP provider. You can start looking for a HCP provider any time you like, even before you are approved for a HCP. That way, you have plenty of time to learn about how they operate and compare the costs. When your package is approved, you’ll be ready to sign up and begin.

Find out how to choose a HCP provider, what questions to ask them and how you can self-manage your HCP through your existing provider.

How mable clients self-manage their aged care support needs

Two Mable clients, Isabel and Manuel, both receive HCP funding and self-manage their support. Before signing up to Mable, they had been cared for by more than 100 different support workers through a previous provider. Today, they get 37 hours of support a week from a team of four independent support workers they connected with via Mable.

Satish is a privately paying aged care client who uses the Mable platform. He chose to bypass the year-long delay that came with waiting for a HCP and utilised a traditional provider for his support needs. As he was paying privately, the bills started to add up with Satish’s service provider. He soon discovered Mable could meet his support needs at a much lower cost and he could build a support team around him.

Mable gave Satish the independence to choose his own workers and nursing staff and the opportunity to build lasting relationships with his dedicated support workers.

Privately paying for your support means you can enjoy the autonomy (your choice and control) that some service providers may not offer. If you’re looking for an alternative support option while you wait for your HCP, or if you’re considering a different support system, Mable’s flexibility and affordability can help you regain your independence.

FAQs

What is the basic daily fee for a Home Care Package?

The basic daily fee, payable by you, gets added to the government subsidy to boost the funds available in your HCP budget. Not all providers will ask you to pay the basic daily fee but it will mean you have less funds in your budget to pay for the services you need. It’s important that when deciding on a provider, you are satisfied with whether you pay or don’t pay the basic daily fee. Learn more about HCP fees and charges.

Why is there a waiting time for a Home Care Package?

Simply put, there are more Australians than ever who want to explore the option of living at home for as long as possible, which has led to a sharp increase in the demand for HCPs. The development, exacerbated by acute workforce shortages and complexities in the way the HCP program funding works, is causing delay in HCPs being released. However, the government released 40,000 packages in 2021-22, and plans to release another 40,000 packages over 2022-23, which will hopefully shorten wait times.

Can I speed up the process of getting a Home Care Package?

Unfortunately, no. With current and upcoming reforms to the aged care sector, it’s hoped that the wait times for a HCP will be reduced, but there’s no way for an applicant to speed up the process.

What you can do, in the meantime, is start searching for a home care service provider, so that when you’re allocated a HCP, you can begin using your funding right away.

How self-management of a Home Care Package works

Everyone who is approved for a government funded Home Care Package (HCP) is given the option to self-manage it. This option gives you greater choice and control, more hours of support and better value, overall.

Why self-manage your Home Care Package?

Before the policy of Consumer Directed Care was fully introduced in 2017, having a HCP meant you had to stick with your aged care provider with sometimes limited choices. This meant accepting their staff and available support options, according to their rosters.

With consumer directed care, from February 2017 onwards, HCP funding was allocated to the person rather than to the aged care provider. This meant that for the first time, people could exercise ‘self-management’ of their package, i.e., choose their own service providers and health professionals, potentially save on administration fees and decide – through platforms like Mable – who would support them, when and at what rates.

By choosing to self-manage your HCP, you can get more hours of support out of your package. By choosing Mable, you pay lower administration fees, which means more of your package is available for you to spend on support. Find out more about self-managing your HCP through Mable.

What is a self-managed Home Care Package?

Self-managing your HCP means you have complete control and choice over how you use your HCP funding. This includes:

Choosing the people who support you
Choosing what services you want from the people who support you
Choosing when (what time, how many hours, etc.) you want those services.

You might want someone who:

Lives nearby and knows your neighbourhood
Who speaks your language
Shares your interests
Can meet your scheduling requirements
Any other preferences you might have.

This choice is crucial, not only to determine the quality of support you receive, but also the value you can get out of your package. Greater value means more hours of support for you or your family member, something that can directly impact quality of life.

How to ‘self-manage’ your Home Care Package with Mable

Mable has been playing a leading role in supporting consumers rights to self manage their HCP for several years. People with a HCP who use Mable to book their team of support workers, are using what we describe as a ‘self-managed HCP’.

Self-managing means you and your family can book independent support workers in your area yourself. You find a worker you like, agree on an hourly rate, the services they provide and the days and times they provide support.

You still need an Approved Home Care Provider to host your package, but by self-managing your package, we can introduce you to our Approved Provider Partners, such as HomeMade, who offer a lower administrative fee, freeing up more funding for you to spend on your services.

Learn more about connecting with support when you are self-managing your HCP via Mable.

Benefits of self-managing your Home Care Package with Mable

For some clients, choosing Mable is about the freedom of selecting your own support workers and deciding when they will come into your home to support you. For others, it’s about the peace of mind it provides about the safety and wellbeing of their loved ones. But for most clients, the overwhelming benefit is the additional support it provides through the unprecedented value that Mable and our partner providers can deliver.

Find out how self-managing their HCP helped Mable clients Helen and Graham.

Start self-managing your Home Care Package with Mable

If you’ve just received a HCP, here are the steps you can take to get started with Mable:

Step 1: Sign up for free to the platform, and start searching for independent support workers in your local area. If you know someone in your community who you would like to engage to provide you with support, you can bring them along too.

Step 2: Call our customer support team on 1300 736 573 to find out which partner providers are in your local area. We’ll also explain how their fees work.

Step 3: Contact support workers directly to get to know them better. Agree the hourly rate you wish to pay, and the hours and services that work for you both. Many workers on the platform will offer a meet-and-greet for free, so you can meet in person to find out if you’re a good fit.

Step 4: Our approved Home Care Provider partners will host your package and we’ll send invoices to them directly on your behalf after timesheets have been approved on Mable, so you don’t have to worry about it.

FAQs

I want to self-manage but I live in a small country town without any Mable workers and plenty of people looking for work. Can I hire people from my community?

Yes, you can! We see Mable as a community-based solution for people to find care and support, especially in rural and regional areas, creating not only jobs, but also connected communities. Just let us know who they are and we will fast track them through our onboarding process which includes NDIS Worker Screening Checks, references and qualifications (if applicable). Once they’re approved, you can engage them through the platform and they’ll be covered by insurance.

You can’t generally engage a family member but you may be able to in certain cases, for example, in a remote community. You could discuss this with your case manager.

Please note, the NDIS Worker Screening Check has replaced police checks as a mandatory requirement for support workers on Mable.

How much does Mable cost?

Signing up for Mable is entirely free for clients, allowing them to start searching for, and communicating with support workers immediately.

While support workers can sign up for free, they cannot be approved to work on Mable without obtaining an NDIS Worker Screening Check (which includes ID verification). These are applied for and conducted by each state separately, so refer to our NDIS Worker Screening Check page for prices and requirements your state.

The NDIS Worker Screening Check has replaced police checks as a mandatory requirement for all support workers on Mable. New support workers signing up to Mable require an NDIS Worker Screening Check.

Each support worker sets their own hourly rates, within our $39 minimum hourly rate and the NDIS price cap (when applicable), which are clearly displayed on their profiles. Before booking a support worker, they and the clients must discuss and agree on the rate and schedule.

The cost structure is transparent, whereby clients pay the agreed rate plus a 7.95% client platform fee, while workers receive the agreed rate minus a 10% support engagement fee. No fees are charged until a client books a support worker and the services are delivered. Payments are made online and can be easily tracked through support hours in your Mable account. For more detailed information about Mable's pricing, you can visit our Pricing page.

Do you cater for people who are not computer-literate?

We are an online platform, so you do need to create a profile and select workers on your computer or mobile device. If you are not comfortable doing this on your own, you might decide to host your package with a provider who can provide you with a little extra case management – and they can help you to select and schedule your workers via Mable.

What is case management?

This term has been in aged care for some time. Case managers are also known as coordinators or client advisors. The case manager works with a family to develop an individualised care plan, based on what the personal needs while ageing. The case manager allows the family to put that plan into action and stays in contact as circumstances change. In a complex case, the case manager might be in touch regularly. For families who are comfortable self-managing, it might only be a couple of times a year.

Does the service provider still have responsibility for my care plan?

Service providers still have a duty of care to the client, to make sure the client is acting reasonably in the choices they’re making. Different providers have different levels of risk tolerance when it comes to putting the consumer at the centre and allowing them to make their own choices. And they are still responsible for developing an individualised care plan, whether or not you are self-managing.

If I use you as an interim solution, how do I get a care plan?

We are a platform that enables you to connect with independent support workers and case managers who can develop a care plan with you. Some of those might be available through home care providers but increasingly we’re seeing independent case managers, people with a case management background willing to be independent advisors to consumers around their aged care needs and how to get the best out of their funding.

What are the costs of a Home Care Package?

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 packages are provided as an annual budget and are administered by a home care package provider who manages the funds on the person’s behalf. Find out more about home care packages and eligibility requirements for a Home Care Package.

It is important to understand the costs of your home care package before you choose your home care provider, so that you can make the right decision regarding your support and care management needs.

When you receive a home care package, you have a budget to pay for the support services you need. The budget depends on level of care you need, which is determined by your Home Care Package level.

What makes up your home care package budget?

Your home care package budget is comprised of several elements:

The Australian government’s contribution – This can include supplements (see section below) for specific care needs for eligible recipients
Basic daily fees – Everyone who receives a package has to pay these.
Income-tested care fees – People who earn income over a certain amount are required to pay income-tested care fees.
Sums for additional care and services – These are payable by the individual if they require additional services that the package funding would not otherwise cover.

You will need to enlist the services of a Home Care Package provider who will manage your HCP funds (both government funding and any supplemental funds you add) and pay expenses on your behalf.

Mable partners with HomeMade, a provider that offers self-management, but you can choose a service providers for yourself if you prefer. Each service provider charges a different amount for its services and care management. To get the most out of your funding, you should compare home care providers and consider three things: services, care management and package management.

What are funding supplements?

Depending on the type and extent of care you require, the government may provide further funding supplements for particular services, such as the following:

Viability supplement – If you live in a rural or remote area.
Enteral feeding supplement – If you depend on ongoing enteral feeding
Dementia and cognition supplement – This is for people who experience moderate to severe cognitive impairment
Veterans’ supplement – Applicable for veterans who experience cognitive issues related to their military service
Oxygen supplement – If you have an ongoing medical condition that requires oxygen.

Speak to your package provider to discuss whether you are eligible to receive any of these funding supplements.

What are the home care package levels?

There are four home care package levels:

Level 1: Basic care needs. A Level 1 package provides an annual subsidy of about $10,272.14.

Level 2: Low care needs. A Level 2 Home Care Package provides an annual subsidy of about $18,069.16.

Level 3: Intermediate care needs. A Level 3 Home Care Package provides an annual subsidy of about $39,320.03.

Level 4: High care needs. A Level 4 Home Care Package provides an annual subsidy of about $59,607.

Every person’s needs are assessed through the ACAT assessment, so that they receive the most appropriate level of home care package. Find out in detail about home care packages levels.

What does the government contribute towards home care packages?

How much are the different Home Care Package levels? This depends on the level for which you have been approved, as per information provided on the My Aged Care website. As of 1 July 2023:

Home Care Package levels	Daily government subsidy payment
Level 1	$28.14
Level 2	$49.49
Level 3	$107.70
Level 4	$163.27

The government contribution changes every 1st July. The figures above are current as at 1st July 2023.

What do I have to pay towards the costs of my Home Care Package?

Home Care Package pricing is not the same for every person, and not everyone has to pay all of the fees outlined below. Your financial situation and the home care provider you choose will be taken into consideration.

Home care costs and fees are therefore customised to each individual. This is based not only on your care plan and care level needs, but other factors as detailed below.

Basic daily fee

What is the basic daily fee for a Home Care Package? Well, this per day fee – payable by you – gets added to the government subsidy to boost the funds available in your HCP budget. Not all aged care service providers will ask you to pay the basic daily fee but it will mean you have less funds in your budget to pay for the services you need. It’s important that when deciding on a provider, you are satisfied with whether you pay or don’t pay the basic daily fee.

Package level	Daily fee	Fortnightly fee
Level 1	$10.49	$146.86
Level 2	$11.09	$155.26
Level 3	$11.40	$159.60
Level 4	$11.71	$163.94

The above figures were current on the My Aged Care website as at September 2022. The basic daily fee figure changes each March and September, to coincide with changes to the age pension.

Income-tested care fee

An income assessment will be carried out on your financial situation to determine whether, and how much, you will be required to pay.

Full pensioners and people with an income up to $30,204.20 do not pay an income-tested care fee.
You could pay up to $16.79 per day, if you:
- are single earning over $30,204.20;
- are a member of a couple living together earning over $23,413.00; or
- are a member of a couple living apart due to illness earning over $29,632.20.
You could pay up to $16.79 – $33.59 per day, if you:
- are single, earning over $58,318.00;
- are a member of a couple living together earning over $44,605.60; or
- are a member of a couple living apart due to illness earning over $57,746.00.

These amounts change with indexation on 20 March and 20 September every year and are up to date as at 20 September 2022.

For instance, full pensioners and those who earn up to $30,204.20 per year are not required to pay the income-tested care fee. If your financial situation changes, the income-tested care fee may also change accordingly. Annual and lifetime caps apply to this fee so once you reach your cap amount, you cannot be asked to pay more in income-tested care fees.

Information above has been sourced from the My Aged Care.

Additional service fees

You may require additional services that are not covered by your Home Care Package budget. Additional service fees should only apply if your budget doesn’t have enough funds to cover them. Speak with your home care provider about any additional needs you have. Your provider will be able to give you all the information you need about home care package fees and charges, so don’t hesitate to ask.

Use Mable to self-manage your Home Care Package

Self-managing your Home Care Package puts you in control of the services you receive, who provides them, and when. You can also negotiate how much you pay independent support workers you book via Mable. Support workers on Mable offer a range of services, from social support and personal care to transport support and nursing care.

By booking and managing support through Mable:

You have choice and control over who supports you, when and where they support you, and how much you pay for the support
You’re safeguarded by Mable’s verification and the high-level suite of insurances arranged by Mable on behalf of support workers.

We hope this guide to Home Care Package costs was useful.

FAQs

What is a Home Care Package?

It's funding provided by the federal government to older Australians to access support services they need to remain living independently at home.

What Home Care Package levels are there?

Home care packages are categorised into four levels according to the needs of the individual. An aged care assessment will determine the appropriate level and a set figure applies to each.

What are exit fees?

Prior to 1 January 2023, service providers can charge an exit fees if you choose to end the agreement. If they want to charge an exit amount, they must discuss this with you and include the agreed amount in your Home Care Agreement. They must also display their maximum exit amount on this website. You can search for this using the Find a provider tool.

From 1 January 2023, service providers cannot charge an exit amount if you choose to end the agreement.

What kinds of services can my Home Care Package pay for?

You can put your Home Care Package funds towards services that help you remain living independently and safely in your home. That could be basic housekeeping and laundry, help with showering and dressing, transportation to appointments and social outings, medication management and basic household maintenance. It can also be used for respite care, the installation of safety devices such as handrails and a personal alarm system, and equipment such as a wheelie walker.

What if my needs become greater?

If the initial Home Care Package level for which you were approved is no longer meeting your needs, you can request a new assessment from MyAgedCare. In the interim, you can still access additional support services by paying privately until you find out the outcome of your new assessment.