What are the four Home Care Package levels available and what do they mean?

A Home Care Package (HCP) is a government-funded service that empowers elderly Australians to live independently in their own homes while also providing choice and flexibility in how aged care and support are delivered. An HCP is assigned to an individual, allowing them to make their own decisions about which services to receive, who will deliver them and how involved they are in the planning of these services.

There are four different tiers of Home Care Packages available, depending on whether the care required is basic, low or high level. Here are the different types of Home Care Packages available.

Types of Home Care Packages available

There are four levels of Home Care Packages:

• Level 1 supports people with basic care needs
• Level 2 supports people with low-level care needs
• Level 3 supports people with intermediate care needs
• Level 4 supports people with high-level care needs

Each HCP level provides the same type of care and services, with the main difference being that the hours of care are increased at each level of care; more hours of care and services are delivered under Home Care Package level 4 compared to level 1.

Package supplement variations include the Dementia Supplement for people with dementia and the Veterans Supplement for veterans with a recognised mental health condition. These are available with any of the four Home Care Package levels.

HCP Level 1: Basic ($9,000 per year)

The Level 1 Home Care Package provides basic care and services that provide basic assistance to help an individual stay independent at home.

This Level is appropriate for people with early-stage needs, such as those who require domestic assistance, social support, allied health support or shopping and transportation.

HCP Level 2: Low ($15,750 per year)

The Level 2 Home Care Package offers slightly more comprehensive care and services than the Level 1 Package, intended to assist people to remain independent in their own home.

HCP Level 2 is similar to basic care in that it provides low-level assistance designed to help you stay independent at home for longer. HCP Level 2 care will likely include two visits per week from a care worker and could include assistance with cleaning and tidying around the house, personal health support such as grooming and dressing or assistance with meals, shopping and transportation.

HCP Level 3: Intermediate ($34,250 per year)

The Level 3 Home Care Package is designed for the elderly who require intermediate care and may include home visits from a care worker or nurse most days of the week, as well as additional health and wellness services.

This HCP level offers services to seniors who require a little more assistance to remain at home due to chronic health conditions, disability or frailty. Beyond a little help in the home, HCP Level 3 allows individuals to receive more frequent assistance from our Personal Support Workers.

HCP Level 4: High ($52,000 per year)

The Level 4 Home Care Package provides high-level care and is appropriate for people who have high-level or complex nursing needs and typically includes almost daily visits from a care worker or a nurse.

HCP Level 4 is the highest level of support care available and may be spent on domestic assistance or nursing care. Our qualified and experienced team will you to make decisions on what support will be of most benefit to you. In-home care can include assistance with cleaning and tidying up around the house, assisting with personal health, such as grooming and dressing or receiving assistance with meals, shopping and transportation.

If you need any further assistance on aged care services, contact Teresa Sandona or Kerrie Harding on 1300 122 730 or via email at to discuss the support you seek.