Home Home Care Package Level 2

Home Care Package Level 2

Funded by the Australian government, Home Care Packages are affordable care services that help you live independent at home. They help you with everyday tasks such as cleaning, gardening, having a shower and going to appointments, so you can live independently at home.

Everyone has different care needs, so Home Care Packages are available as four levels of care. These range from basic assistance (Level 1) to low care needs (Level 2), intermediate level care needs (Level 3) and high-level care needs (Level 4).

What is a Level 2 Home Care Package?

A Level 2 Home Care Package is the most common type of package in Australia. If you have low level care needs (more than basic level care, but not as much as complex care), this level of funding provides help with daily tasks so you can keep living happily in your local. Community.

A Level 2 Aged Care Package includes the following range of tasks:

Personal care assistance, such as help with showering and getting dressed
Domestic assistance to keep your home clean and tidy
Mela preparation to ensure you eat nutritious and nourishing food
Help with doing the shopping
Transport to get you out and about
Social activities, hobbies, community activities, and companionship
Garden maintenance to keep your outdoor areas safe and pleasant
Some low-level nursing care services
Independent living aids and basic care equipment
Allied health services, such as podiatry, physiotherapy and occupational therapy
Medication management services

A Home Care Package can be adjusted as your situation changes. For example, a service provider might send a support worker to visit you once a week to help you with the housework and personal care, but in time, you may want to assistive aids, such as a walker or lift chair, to help you move safely and stay comfortable around the home.

Home Caring provides personalised Aged Care Level 2 Packages for seniors who need a low number of hours of care at home. Based in locations around Australia, our team of professional carers go above and beyond to provide a personalised service you are happy with. To chat to a team member about your specific needs, please get in touch.

How can a Level 2 Home Care Package benefit me?

An HCP Level 2 is a good way to ensure your needs are met, so you can continue living safely and comfortably at home. By taking care of the little things, you’re more likely to live at home for longer, and prevent moving into an aged care facility before you are ready. It’s also a good way to care for your health and wellbeing as you age.

How do I qualify for a Level 2 Home Care Package?

To be eligible for an HCP Level 2, you must be 65 years or old (50 years or older for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people) and need support to live at home safely.

You can apply for an aged care assessment on the My Aged Care government website, or appoint someone to apply on your behalf. An Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) health professional will then visit you, chat to you about your needs, and assess which Home Care Package level is right for you.

If you are eligible for Home Care Package Level 2 funding, you will be notified by mail through an approval letter, and placed in a national queue to be assigned a package. While you wait, you can select a care provider who will use your Home Care Package funding to provide you with a care plan that suits your needs. Depending on your personal circumstances, you may be asked to contribute towards your care through two care package fees: a basic daily fee and an income-tested care fee, determined through an income assessment.

Want to know how to prepare for an ACAT assessment? Here’s some information that may be helpful to you.

Home Care Packages with Home Caring

Home Caring provides exceptional Level 2 Home Care Packages for those who need a low level of care at home. Our services are adaptable, so you can arrange a care worker to assist you at a time that suits your schedule. We also match each of our clients with a care worker who they get along with, so you’ll always feel comfortable with your care.

As a registered aged care provider, we are:

Individualised – all of our care plans are uniquely tailored to our clients.
Compassionate – we care for people with kindness, gentleness and respect.
Professional – we provide high-quality care that makes the most of your package funds.
Local – we’re flexible and close by, so we can provide our services at a time that suits you.
Collaborative – we work with you, so you’re always in charge of your care.

To chat to someone about our in-home care services and receive expert advice, please get in touch. Our care experts are happy to help.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Home Care Package?

Who is eligible for a Home Care Package?

Do I have to pay for a Home Care Package?

How long does it take to receive a Home Care Package?

What is a Home Care Package?

If you are an older person living in Australia, a Home Care Package can help you access affordable care services in your own home. This can include domestic assistance, personal care, transport to appointments, recreation activities, minor home modifications, meal preparation, medication management, or equipment to help you stay safe and mobile. The aim is to help you live independently in the community for longer, with safety and confidence.

Home Care Packages are subsidised by the government, though you may be asked to contribute towards the cost of your services, depending on your financial situation. It is a consumer-directed program, which means you choose who provides you with care, and allocate the funds from your package to pay for those services.

Who is eligible for a Home Care Package?

To qualify for a government-funded Home Care Package, you must be 65 years or older (50 years or older for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people), and need assistance with everyday tasks.

You might qualify for a Home Care Package if you:

have noticed a change in the things you can do, or what you can remember;
have been diagnosed with a medical condition or your mobility has been reduced;
have had a change in your family care arrangements;
have experienced a fall recently, or had a hospital admission.

The way to determine your eligibility is through an assessment, which is done in your own home by an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) assessor. The assessor will chat to you face-to-face about your circumstances and needs. Based on the conversation, they will determine if you are eligible for Home Care Package funding, and what level is most appropriate for you.

You can apply for an assessment through the My Aged Care website, or by calling 1800 200 422. You can also appoint someone to apply on your behalf, and have a support person with you throughout the entire process.

Do I have to pay for a Home Care Package?

Home Care Packages are subsidised by the Australian Government, to make home care affordable for everyone. You will be asked to contribute an amount towards the cost of your services. This amount depends on your financial situation. Your contribution consists of:

a basic daily fee – this is an amount everyone can be asked to pay. The amount is a percentage of the single basic age pension, based on your Home Care Package level. Home care providers can ask you to pay a basic daily fee, but not all of them do.
an income tested care fee – this is an extra contribution you may be asked to pay, depending on your financial situation. This fee is determined through an income assessment, and there is an annual and lifetime cap that applies to this fee. Full pensions do not pay an income tested care fee.
any additional service fees that you have agreed on with your provider.

All home care providers must publish their full price list of all services online. This means you know exactly what you are paying for their services, and allows you to compare what’s on offer. Providers charge a range of prices, so take the time to ask questions and do your research when deciding which one is right for you.

How long does it take to receive a Home Care Package?

Home care is in high demand in Australia. Once you are approved for a Home Care Package, you will be placed in a queue until a package becomes available to you.

How long you wait depends on the date when you received your approval letter, and the priority for care. Your assessor assigns you with a level of priority, based on your situation. For people with a medium level priority, the expected wait time for a Home Care Package is approximately three to six months.

You don’t have to wait to choose a Home Care Package provider who is right for your needs. It is a good idea to use the waiting period to research your options and find a care provider who you would like to partner with for your care. This gives you an opportunity to learn about their services and ask any questions that you may have.

If you think that you need care sooner and can’t wait until you are at the front of the queue, there are a few options available to you. These options include applying for the Commonwealth Home Support Programme to access entry-level support while you wait, or paying for non-government-funded services. Private home care services that are not subsidised by the government, and so they will incur a full cost.

Home Caring provides person-centred Home Care Packages for seniors who need help with everyday life. We’ll match you with a carer who best meets your needs, provide a high quality service, and work with you to develop a care plan that makes a real difference to your life. For more information or to speak to our friendly staff, please get in touch.