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HOME CARE PACKAGES LEVEL 1–4 EXPLAINED: UNDERSTANDING THE SUPPORT YOU CAN RECEIVE
If you’re helping an older family member stay safe and comfortable at home, you’ve likely come across the term Home Care Package.
But what does it actually mean? What support can someone get, and how do you know which level is the right fit?
In this guide, we break it all down clearly - from the four funding levels to what services are available, how to apply, and how Yours Truly Support Services can walk alongside you through the process.
Table of Contents
What is a Home Care Package?
Home Care Packages are part of a government-funded aged care program that helps older Australians get practical, regular support while continuing to live at home. They’re designed for people with more than just occasional needs - people who need a mix of services to stay safe, well, and connected.
Each person approved for a Home Care Package is assigned a level of funding (from Level 1 to Level 4) based on their support needs. That funding is managed by an approved provider like YTSS, who works with you to plan and deliver the right combination of services.
This is very different from one-off help at home. A Home Care Package provides structured, ongoing support and gives you choice in how that support is delivered.
The Four Levels of Home Care Packages
Every package level comes with a set amount of funding. That funding covers the cost of support services, care coordination, and any equipment or clinical needs that have been approved in your plan.
Here’s how each level works:
Level 1: Basic Support Needs
Level 1 suits people who are mostly independent but need a small amount of help on a regular basis. This might include assistance with housework, transport, or staying socially active.
Common services at Level 1 include:
- Light cleaning and laundry
- Transport to appointments or shops
- Help with meal preparation
- Occasional support to stay socially connected
This level provides a modest amount of funding, usually around $10,000 per year.
Level 2: Low Care Needs
Level 2 is for people who are starting to need more consistent support. It’s ideal when someone’s routines are becoming harder to manage alone, but residential aged care is not yet being considered.
Support might include:
- Personal care such as showering or grooming
- Medication reminders
- Help with meals and food shopping
- Home safety equipment
- Some allied health (e.g. physiotherapy or podiatry)
Funding is typically around $18,000 per year, giving you more flexibility with the type and frequency of services.
Level 3: Intermediate Care Needs
This level supports people who need frequent help throughout the week. It may be suited to someone managing several health issues or recovering from a major event like a fall or hospital stay.
Typical services include:
- Daily personal care
- Help with mobility and transfers
- Nursing visits
- Assistance with continence
- Clinical equipment
- Respite for unpaid carers
Level 3 funding is approximately $39,000 per year, which allows for regular, structured care from a range of professionals.
Level 4: High Care Needs
This is the highest level of in-home support. It’s for people with complex or ongoing medical needs who want to stay at home instead of entering residential aged care.
Support may include:
- Ongoing nursing care
- Advanced mobility assistance
- End-of-life care
- Complex medication management
- Carer support and respite
Level 4 offers about $60,000 per year in funding, which can support daily services from qualified professionals and intensive case management.
What Services Are Included in a Home Care Package?
Every Home Care Package is different because it’s built around the person receiving it. But here are some of the most commonly included services:
- Personal care — help with bathing, grooming, dressing, continence support
- Domestic assistance — cleaning, laundry, meal prep, changing beds
- Nursing care — wound care, medications, monitoring health conditions
- Allied health — physiotherapy, occupational therapy, podiatry, dietetics
- Transport — to appointments, shops, social activities
- Social support — companionship, group programs, phone check-ins
- Home modifications — ramps, handrails, shower chairs
- Clinical equipment — walkers, mobility aids, continence supplies
- Respite care — temporary care to give a family carer a break
All services must be linked to your care plan and approved within your budget.
How to Access a Home Care Package
The process starts with an aged care assessment through My Aged Care. Here’s how it works:
- Contact My Aged Care (1800 200 422 or website) to register your interest in a Home Care Package.
- An aged‑care assessor arranges an assessment (in‑home or via phone) to examine your health, home situation and support needs.
- You receive the outcome letter showing your approved level (1‑4) and your priority in the queue.
- You enter the national priority system and wait for a funded package to be allocated.
- Once a package is allocated to you, you choose a provider like Yours Truly Support Services, enter into a Home Care Agreement and your care plan is implemented.
Yours Truly Support Services can help guide you through every step — including preparing for the assessment and selecting services.
Choosing the Right Level of Support
Your approved level is based on the assessor’s recommendation, but it’s still important to think through what kind of help you need most:
- Are there tasks you’re starting to avoid because they’re too hard?
- Is your carer becoming overwhelmed?
- Are you managing a chronic illness that’s worsening?
- Would you benefit from allied health or nursing visits at home?
If things change after you’ve started receiving support, you can request a review or apply to move to a higher level. Your provider should help monitor your care plan and funding regularly.
How Long is the Wait for a Home Care Package?
Wait times vary depending on the level. On average:
- Level 1–2: between 3 and 6 months
- Level 3–4: between 9 and 12 months (sometimes longer)
This can feel like a long time. While you wait, My Aged Care may offer entry-level help through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) — or you may choose to pay privately for short-term care.
Some providers (including Yours Truly) can help bridge this gap by delivering care while you wait for funding to be released.
How Yours Truly Can Help
We’re not just a service provider. We’re here to help you understand what’s available, make informed choices, and feel confident about the care you or your loved one receives.
- We help you apply through My Aged Care and prepare for the assessment
- We explain your funding, rights, and choices without the jargon
- We build a care plan that actually fits your day-to-day life
- We provide consistent, qualified support workers and local knowledge
- We’re flexible - if your needs change, we adjust quickly
If you’re thinking about Home Care Packages but don’t know where to begin, give us a call. We’ll walk through your options, answer your questions, and help you take the next step.
Want to talk to someone about Home Care Packages?
We’re here to help. Contact Yours Truly Support Services and speak to a member of our team. We understand in-home aged care, inside and out.
Let's Explore Your Options Together
We'd love to chat. Get in touch by phone, email, or through our contact form. Our friendly Support Advisors can make a plan with you, based on your own goals and abilities.
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