Types of Aged Care in Australia

Are you trying to find the right type of Aged Care support but don’t know where to start? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. The Australian Aged Care system is difficult to navigate, which is why it is often referred to as the “Aged Care Maze”.  

People are often unsure about what type of Aged Care service is most suitable for them based on their care needs. Sometimes, they’re already funded but unsure about what type of Aged Care Support they have: Is it funding for the CHSP? Is it a Home Care Package? Is it for a Nursing Home? Or all three!  

Let’s help you through the Aged Care Maze so you understand the three most common types of government subsidised Aged Care support available to you.  

Types of Aged Care 

There are three main types of government-subsidised Aged Care services available for older Australians.  

1. Home Support Program (CHSP)  

The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) is an entry-level government-funded home support program that supports older Australians who are still managing well at home, but require some limited extra assistance such as gardening, transport, or home maintenance. The service is mostly subsidised by government, but you do have to pay a small amount for each service.  

CHSP funding provides low-level support, and the support is delivered by a government funded provider – it is not consumer directed which means there are limited services, and many people find it hard to find a provider to deliver the services under the CHSP program. 

2. Home Care Packages (HCP) 

Home Care Packages are also government-funded and provide a consumer directed model of support to help older Australians remain living at home with the care and supports they choose from within the included list. These packages provide a more personalised and flexible approach to Aged Care. There are 4 levels of Home Care Packages, each offering varying levels of support based on individual’s care needs.  

Level 1 Home Care Package: Basic Care Needs 

A Level 1 Home Care Package provides funding of $10,271 per annum. This funding typically covers about 4 hours of care per fortnight, including services like personal care, house cleaning, transportation, and gardening. 

Level 2 Home Care Package: Low-level Care Needs 

A Level 2 Home Care Package, provides annual funding of $18,064. It covers about 6-7 hours of fortnightly care, often used for personal care, house cleaning, transportation, and gardening services. But remember, like all Home Care Packages, it is consumer directed so you can choose the services that will meet your needs and preferences from within the Home Care Package guidelines. 

Level 3 Home Care Package: Intermediate Care Needs 

A Level 3 Home Care Package is for those with intermediate care needs who require more support to stay at home safely. It provides $39,311 annually, offering approximately 14-15 hours of fortnightly support often including personal care, nursing, and allied health services. 

Level 4 Home Care Package: high-level Care Needs 

A Level 4 Home Care Package is for people with high-level care needs, offering $59,594 annually, equivalent to about 22-25 hours of fortnightly care. It’s typically allocated to those who require specialised support due to their high needs. 

Recipients of Home Care Packages have the flexibility to choose their service providers and decide how their allocated funding is used to meet their specific needs. Assessments, conducted by the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) determine an individual’s eligibility and package level.  

If you’ve already received the funds and are looking for a quality Home Care Package provider in your local area, reach out to CareAbout and we can help you find a great provider for your needs. 

3. Residential Aged Care  

At any stage, if living at home becomes too challenging even after receiving the highest Home Care Package support, it might be time to consider moving into a Residential Aged Care or Aged Care Home. Aged Care Homes are often called Nursing Homes and offer care and accommodation for older people who have advanced care needs and require 24/7 care. This can include assistance with activities of daily living, nursing care, medication management, and access to various support services. 

These facilities provide a safe and supportive environment for older Australians who may have complex health conditions, mobility issues, or cognitive impairments. Residential Aged Care Homes vary in size and the services they offer, but they all aim to improve the well-being and quality of life of their residents. An ACAT assessment is usually required to access support in a Nursing Home. 

If you need help finding a quality Aged Care Home based on your loved one needs, reach out to CareAbout. We only work with Quality Accredited Aged Care Homes and can look for vacancies in Homes local to you. 

Need help finding a quality Aged Care Provider?  

Finding a provider that is right for you is not always an easy process. There are over 900 Home Care Package providers and over 2600 Nursing Homes in Australia and all of them have different services, styles, pricing and offerings.  

CareAbout is Australia’s leading Home Care placement service. We’ve helped thousands of families choose the right Home Care provider and Residential Aged Care for their needs and we would love to help you. 

Whether you’re looking for a quality Home Care Package provider or Aged Care Home in your local area, CareAbout can help.

Speak with a CareAbout Expert today.