A Home Care Package allows you to have greater control over your in-home aged care. They are provided for people who need more support than the basic level available through the Commonwealth Home Support Program. A Home Care Package with BCC has the flexibility to allow you to make choices about the types of support you access, who delivers them, and how and when those services are delivered.

Your package is tailored to meet your specific needs. Everyone's will be different.

There are four levels of Home Care Packages which can give you the care and services you need:

• Level 1 – basic care needs
• Level 2 – low-level care needs
• Level 3 – intermediate care needs
• Level 4 – high-level care needs

Each package level is funded (with a budget) at different amounts by the Australian Government. This will be outlined in your letter from My Aged Care, assigning your package and the level you have been approved for.

Download our Home Car Package brochure here.

What types of services are provided?

Our qualified and experienced Case Managers will work in partnership with you to identify your goals and needs. We will co-design the best ways to deliver those services so you can live a more active and independent life, in your home and community.

The services available via a Home Care Package include, but are not limited to:

• Personal care showering, grooming and dressing;
• General household chores like cleaning and meal preparation;
• Transport for shopping and medical appointments;
• Social Support visiting a friend, group activities i.e. movies, lunch, attractions etc
• Personal safety monitoring devices and other equipment;
• Home modifications (e.g ramps, rails)
• Gardens and lawns – keeping your yard and access to your home tidy and safe
• Wellbeing programs including gentle exercise groups, art programs, social outings
• Nursing, allied health and other clinical services
• Care Coordination and case management

And remember you have the flexibility and choice to change how often and when you use the services, and how you budget the spending on those services.

You can also use a Home Care Package to pay for your regular care needs while you are away on holiday (but not to pay for your holiday).  And if you don’t use one or more of the services in your package for a period of time, because you are away or in hospital for example, you may be able to use or save some of the funds for other things.

There are some things you CANNOT use your home care package for.

This includes any item or adaption that would usually be paid for out of your general income.

A Home Care Package cannot be used to pay for:

• home improvements
• home appliances or fixtures
• domestic appliances
• paying your rent or mortgage
• buying your groceries
• paying for holidays

Please note we do not charge review fees or exit fees. We will happily provide you with a free quote (link to form) so you can see how your level of package might look for your circumstances. Fill in the form, and one of our friendly Case Managers will respond as soon as possible.

Fees & Charges

Home Care Packages are provided at four different levels, and each is assigned a budget by the Federal Government.

The total package budget is made up of the following:

• The Government subsidy (dependent on the package level)
• The income tested fee (if applicable to you) is determined by Services Australia (Centrelink);
• The basic daily care fee (if applicable and can be negotiated).

Income-tested care fee

Depending on your income, the Government may ask you to contribute more to the cost of your care. This is called an income-tested care fee and is different for everyone because it is based on an individual’s income.

For some people, including those on a full pension, an income-tested care fee does not apply.

It is determined by Services Australia (Centrelink) and reduces the amount of subsidy paid by the Government for your package to the Provider.

The income-tested care fee (if applicable) is in addition to the basic daily fee.

The total of your Package is made up of the Government subsidy + the income tested fee (if applicable), plus the basic daily care fee.

The total of these pays for your services and equipment as per your care and service plan.

Please note that whether you pay any or all of the above fees (basic daily care fee or income-tested care fee) depends on your personal financial circumstances and your service choices. This will be explained and outlined in a budget your Case Manager will provide to you.

Care Management Fee

This fee is paid from your Home Care Package budget and will be itemised in your monthly statement. The Care Management fee includes things like:

• reviewing the home care agreement and care plan to make sure it fits in with your needs
• coordinating and scheduling your services
• ensuring the care aligns with other supports
• providing a point of contact for you/your support network
• ensuring care is culturally appropriate
• identifying and addressing risks to your safety

Package Management Fee

This fee is paid from your Home Care Package budget and will be itemised in your monthly statement. Package Management means the ongoing tasks we do to deliver and manage your Home Care Package. This includes:

• preparing monthly statements
• managing package funds, including claiming your subsidy
• meeting compliance and quality assurance standards

Review and Exit Fees

Please note we do not charge additional review fees over and above the Care Management fee. We do not charge exit fees when you no longer need your package or change providers.

You can download our Home Care Package pricing schedule here. Your costs are charged from your package, not from your pocket.