Frequently
Asked Questions

There are different types of aged care funding which is currently being reviewed. After the aged care Commission inquiry, the government has committed to implementing changes which will assist older Australians to receive the care that they require to live independently or to receive care within aged care residences when they can no longer stay at home.

Currently, aged care funding is available under 3 different models:

1. Commonwealth home support programme (CHSP)

2. Home support packages (HSP)

3. Private funding.

Eligible Australians may receive support under the first two funding models to receive help at home, short term care, or care in aged care homes. Under the first two models, the government will allocate a certain amount of funding to be paid towards the care which is required. this may include care around the home, inclusion in community activities, assistance for a short period of time, or for residential care.

Eligibility for government funding for aged care is based on several factors including the person’s health and age. The age requirements are that a person is aged:

• 65 years or older; or

• 50 years and older if you identify as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander;

• 50 years or older and on a low income, homeless or at risk of being homeless (45 years or older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people).

The health and medical requirements relate to a person’s ability to undertake everyday tasks including:

• getting out of bed or chairs;

• walking;

• going to the toilet;

• taking a bath or shower;

• getting dressed;

• eating a meal;

• preparing a meal;

• taking medicine;

• basic housework;

• driving or taking public transport;

• shopping for groceries;

• managing money and paying bills.

To see whether you are eligible for an assessment for aged care funding, you can access the ‘My Aged Care - Assessment Eligibility Checker’.

The difference between CHSP (The Commonwealth Home Support Programme ) and HCP (Home Care Packages) is based on the level of care which the participant requires.

CHSP was set up to assist seniors who require minimum assistance to maintain an independent lifestyle.

HCP is intended for people who require a greater amount of assistance and has 4 levels of care packages available.

Once you has been assessed as requiring a certain level of care, a funding package is paid so that the participant can access care through a care provider. The aged care provider needs to be approved by the government, although changes may be made to this structure under current reform considerations.

In summary, the process to obtain a HCP is:

1. Recipient registers with My Aged Care and is triaged

2. Recipient & ACAT complete Comprehensive Aged Care Assessment

3. Eligible recipients join the national priority system

4. Recipient receives readiness letter, completes income assessment and researches providers

5. Recipient is assigned a HCP by the national priority system and chooses a provider

6. Recipient and approved provider enter into a Home Care Agreement

7. Provider accepts the My Aged Care referral and notifies Services Australia of a recipient starting care

8. Provider and recipient develop package budget and care plan.

Your HCP budget is made up of three components:

As you can see in the above, you may be required to contribute to the cost of the care, depending on your financial situation. The fees you will be asked to contribute vary but are also based on the care that you are receiving.

The following provides a brief description of the types of services which can be included in a HCP.