What can Home Care Package funds be used for?
The number one question we get asked is: What can Home Care Package funds be used for? We understand that navigating Home Care Package funding can be confusing. What gets approved? What doesn’t? Let us help you understand.
This guide explains how Home Care Packages -Level 1 – 4 funding can be used, along with examples of services and products that are allowed or excluded.
Key takeaways
- Home Care Package funds can be used for a range of services including personal care, home safety modifications, allied health, and social support – tailored to your needs.
- You have flexibility in choosing services under Consumer Directed Care, as long as they support your health and independence at home.
- Some costs are not covered, such as groceries, rent, or services funded by Medicare, ensuring funds are used directly for approved care.
How does Home Care Package funding work?
When you are assessed for home care, you receive a package based on your needs. These range from basic support to high-level care.
- Level 1 – Basic care needs – $10,698.15 funding per year
- Level 2 – Low level care needs – $18,812.10 funding per year
- Level 3 – Intermediate care needs – $40,945.70 funding per year
- Level 4 – High level care needs – $62,075.55 funding per year
Funding levels are current as of June 1, 2025
Each level provides different amounts of government subsidy, but how you spend the funds is tailored to your individual care plan. This is known as Consumer Directed Care.
You choose how to spend your Home Care Package funds
With Consumer Directed Care, you decide:
- The types of services you receive
- Who provides those services
- When you receive those services
- How you receive those services.
Home Care Packages are flexible. However, the products and services you receive need to be directly related to keeping you well and independent in your home.
What services can Home Care Package funds be used for?
Here are common services and supports individuals can obtain with Home Care Packages - level 1 - 4 funding:
- Bathing, hygiene and grooming, including help to get in and out of bed, into the shower and help with dressing.
- Cleaning, laundry and chores to keep your home liveable, including making beds, dusting, vacuuming and mopping.
- Maintenance to keep your home and garden in a safe condition, such as fixing uneven floors, cleaning gutters and yard work.
- Changes to your home to maintain your safety, including installing grab rails, ramps and easy access taps.
- Meals and food preparation to make sure you eat well, including meal delivery services and help with meal preparation.
- Aids to help you stay independent, including bed rails, walking aids and pressure relieving mattresses.
- Nursing to treat minor conditions at home, such as wound care, someone to help you take medication, and help with other assessments.
- Allied health services to help you maintain movement and mobility, including podiatry, occupational therapy and physiotherapy.
- Help with impairments, such as continence or dementia advisory, and vision and hearing services.
- Transport to get you out and about, including a driver service or transport vouchers.
- Social outings to help you stay connected, such as arranging activities, providing a companion, or help with setting up communication services to keep you in touch with loved ones.
Additional uses of Home Care Package funding
Other services may be approved if they:
- Are linked to your needs and goals which were outlined in your care plan
- Improve your health and wellbeing
- Are necessary to help you live independently and safely in your home
- Are delivered in your home care package budget
- Are considered an acceptable use of government funds
Example: If you have a respiratory issue, you may be approved for a qualified cleaner to remove mould from the main areas of the home you access such as your bedroom or living room, as long as your package funds allow for it.
However, if you don't have any respiratory issues, you wouldn’t get approved for this cleaning service because it would be considered a homeowner’s expense to remove mould. There needs to be a direct relationship between the need and goals.
What can’t Home Care Package funds be used for?
The government has a list of services and products that you can’t use Home Care Package funds for. These include:
- Items you’d normally buy from general income
- Food except as part of enteral feeding requirements
- Payment for permanent accommodation including helping buy a house, mortgage payments or rent
- Payment of home care fees
- Paying fees and charges for any type of care whether funded or jointly funded by the Australian Government
- Home modifications that aren’t related to your care needs
- Travel and accommodation for holidays
- Entertainment activities like club memberships and sporting event tickets
- Gambling
- Payment for anything covered by Medicare of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
Home Care Package funding and special care needs
The government also pays supplements to approved providers to help with some specific care needs. These care needs include:
- Dementia and cognition supplement for people with moderate-to-severe dementia
- Enteral feeding supplement for people who have a medical need for enteral feeding
- Oxygen supplement for people who have a medical need for continual oxygen therapy.
Speak to Five Good Friends about these supplements if you believe you have specific care needs.
Need help understanding your package?
Want to make the most of your Home Care Package funding? Our team at Five Good Friends can help tailor a care plan to your unique needs.