How it works
Understand the steps, fees, and support available to access your Home Care Package.
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Your guide to costs
Understanding the fees
An important consideration when planning your Home Care services is understanding the fees you may need to pay.
There are three fees you may be asked to pay: a basic daily fee, an income tested fee and any fees your provider charges. It’s important to understand these fees prior to signing up for Home Care services. Our onboarding team of Business Relationship Managers can assist you with this and take you through the different fees.
Once you confirm that you’re eligible and comfortable with the fees, you’ll need to take a My Aged Care assessment to work out the level of Home Care Package funding you’ll receive.
The three fee types
There are three fee types that you might be asked to pay
Not everyone has to pay these fees. Whether you are asked to pay fees or not will depend on your financial position and the provider you choose.
Understanding your service fees
Your total funding available will
be
broken down in this way:
| Government contribution + your fees = total funding available for you to spend |
Fee Type 1
Basic Daily Fee
The Basic Daily Fee is a daily rate calculated as a percentage of the single aged care pension. Every Home Care provider has the option to charge the Basic Daily Fee to their customers.
HCA Home Care chooses not to charge customers a basic daily fee.
Fee Type 2
Income Tested Fee
You may be asked by the government to make a contribution to your Home Care Package funding based on your annual earnings.
The Income Tested Fee is calculated based on your level of income so is different for everyone. If you are required to pay this fee, the Governments subsidy to your homecare package is reduced by the amount of ITCF you’re required to pay.
Full pensioners or those earning up to $33,735 annually won’t have to pay the Income Tested Fee.
For example, using the table of government contributions below, if you have a Level 2 package but you are asked to pay an Income Tested Fee of $10 per day, your breakdown would be:
| $10 per day Income Tested Fee + $41.02 daily government subsidy ($51.02 – $10) = $51.02 daily package value |
Government contributions (example amounts)
| Home Care Package level | Daily government subsidy rate | Fortnightly government contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | $29.01 | $406.14 |
| Level 2 | $51.02 | $714.28 |
| Level 3 | $111.04 | $1,554.56 |
| Level 4 | $168.33 | $2,356.662 |
The best way to work out if you need to pay an Income Tested Fee is by using the fee estimator on the My Aged Care website.
Understanding the Income Tested Care Fee (ITCF)
Let’s take a look at an example of three different Level 3 home care recipients:
Swipe right on mobile
Client 1Full Pensioner |
Client 2Part Pensioner |
Client 3Self Funded Retiree |
|---|---|---|
TOTAL MONTHLY FUNDSLEVEL 3 PACKAGE$3331 |
TOTAL MONTHLY FUNDSLEVEL 3 PACKAGE$3331 |
TOTAL MONTHLY FUNDSLEVEL 3 PACKAGE$3331 |
Government
|
Government
|
Government
|
|
Income Tested Fee:
$0
Government Contribution:
$3331
Total Funds:
$3331
|
Income Tested Fee:
$450
Government Contribution:
$2881
Total Funds:
$3331
|
Income Tested Fee:
$937
Government Contribution:
$2394
Total Funds:
$3331
|
Income Assessment
If you need to pay an Income Tested Fee you will need to complete an Income Assessment to work out the exact amount. You can read about what’s involved in an Income Assessment with the Income and means assessments tool also on the My Aged Care Website.
It’s important to keep in mind that there are lifetime caps for Income Tested Fees meaning that once you reach the cap you can’t be asked to pay more in Income Tested Fees. This also transfers to residential aged care which means if your needs change and you move into an aged care facility any Income Tested Fees you pay will continue to count towards the same cap and once you reach it you will stop paying the fees.
There is also an annual Income Tested Fee cap so you will only ever have to pay up to a certain amount in any given year.
What income is assessed?
Your ‘income’ is the amount you have remaining after paying income tax and the Medicare levy. The following won’t be counted as income:
Your family home is not included in your income assessment
Any pharmaceutical allowance, rent assistance, or telephone allowance
Your pension
The Clean Energy Supplement
Being advised of your income tested care fee
Services Australia will work out your income tested care fee and send you and your provider a letter with this important information. This will be provided as a daily fee. Depending on the amount of days in that calendar month, the monthly income tested fee will vary.
If you’re still waiting for the results of your income assessment, contact Services Australia on 1800 227 475 for an update.
Fee type 3
Additional Provider Fees
Home Care package providers may charge their own fees for services depending on their approach. All Home Care providers are required to publish their fees on their website, you can view HCA Home Care’s fees here.
The two types of fees that providers charge:
- Care Management
Every HCA Home Care customer has a dedicated Customer Care Manager who coordinates their services and ensures the services provided are meeting the customer’s needs. The Care Management Fee covers these services. - Package Management
Covers the essential administration tasks that are needed to manage your Home Care Package for you. This might include activities such as monitoring, reporting and managing the financial aspects of your package.
Your guide to Home Care funding and support
Eligibility, funding, and getting started made simple
How it works
More and more Australians are choosing to stay in their homes as they age and receive services and support.
Read more
Who can access it
There are eligibility requirements that determine who can access the government funding for Home Care services.
Read more
How do I get funding?
Government funding for Home Care is managed through My Aged Care. You’ll go through an application process with them to receive your funding.
Read more
How much funding can I get?
The level of funding you receive is broken down into four levels and is determined based on your level of need.
Read more
Paying Privately
You also have the option to pay privately for Home Care services. This means there is no government subsidy.
Read more
What is a Home Care Package?
HCA has a range of Home Care services that align to our customers’ needs and goals. We tailor individual plans for every customer.
Read more
What is the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP)?
The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) is an entry level program that provides basic care and support services for people with lower support requirements.
Read more
Ready to get started or make the switch?
At HCA we have an experiences team of Customer Care Managers ready to help with your Home Care needs. Get in touch today and find out how we can help you.
Read more
Our featured services
Support when it matters most
Discover our specialised services tailored to help you stay comfortable, independent, and supported in the moments that matter most.
Social Support
Get out and about or take part in community events with the help of our Support Workers.
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Gardening
Keep your garden in tip top condition with regular maintenance thanks to our dedicated team.
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Meal Preparation
Ensure you have high-quality nutritious meals in your own home.
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Shopping Support
Manage your household shopping with the help of our Support Workers.
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Medication Support
We’ll ensure that the right medication is always taken at the right time.
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View all Home Care services
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Ready to find the support that’s right for you? Contact us today for a free consultation and let’s create a plan that meets your needs.
Why HCA?
Our Difference
Local Customer Care Manager
Every customer at HCA Home Care is assigned their own care manager as their one point of contact with HCA
Highly skilled Support Workers
At HCA we are able to upskill and train workers regularly thanks to our own in-house training organisation and long history in healthcare. It means you always get the very best workers.
24/7 support
Your support needs don’t stop at 5pm so neither do we. We have a 24/7 support line so you can contact us any time of day – or night!
We care at HCA
Why Choose Healthcare Australia for Home Care
Healthcare Australia is an established, national provider of healthcare support services in Australia. Established in 1972, you can benefit from our access to the best Support Workers and Customer Care Managers by choosing HCA Home Care as your Home Care provider.