.webp)
New to Home Care
If you’re new to home care, you might feel a bit overwhelmed. Here you will learn how to apply for funding support and how to navigate through the assessment process. This guide will help you to understand how to apply for government subsidies and step you through the process.
Step 1
Register with My Aged Care
To apply for a Home Care Package you will first need to register, by contacting My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or completing their online self-service form. We suggest you register at your earliest opportunity in preparation for support when you need it.
Tips
-
You can appoint a family member or friend as your My Aged Care representative so they can act on your behalf on an ongoing basis.
-
Set aside 30 minutes to complete this registration.
-
Watch our "How to apply aged care of home care" video below. We take you through step-by-step of the registration process.
Step 2
Phone Interview - Initial step to assess your eligibility
My Aged Care will refer you to a local ACAS accessor who will first arrange for a phone interview. They will ask a series of questions about your current situation in order to ascertain your initial eligibility. If you’re eligible, they will arrange to meet you face-to-face to assess you in your home.
Tip
-
This process can take between 1-3 weeks.
Step 3
Your Home Assessment - Follow-up to assess your needs
A trained assessor will visit you at home to help clarify your needs.
What should you have on hand for your home assessment?
-
Your Medicare number
-
A copy of any referrals from your doctor if you have them
-
Any information provided to you that you may want to discuss with your assessor
-
The contact details of your GP or another health professional
-
Information on the current support you receive
What happens at an assessment?
The trained assessor will work with you to develop a support plan, including your strengths, difficulties, goals, what you’d like to achieve and your preferences for services. They might ask questions such as:
-
What support you already have
-
Your health and lifestyle
-
How you are going completing daily tasks around the home
-
If you have any issues relating to home and personal safety
-
Your family and community engagement
In your meeting, you may discuss the types of services that would suit your needs, the types of funding available and relevant to you, service providers and the costs associated with home care services.
Tips
-
You are welcome to have a family member, carer or friend present during your assessment and any calls with My Aged Care.
-
This step may take between 3 - 11 weeks.
Step 4
Complete Income Assessment (Centrelink)
If you are not receiving a full pension, you will need to complete an income assessment - as depending on your income, you may be required to pay a personal contribution to your Home Care Package (known as the income-tested care fee).
The fee is different for everyone because it is based on your individual income.
Please note, the money you receive from the government will reduce by the same value of the income tested fee you are assessed to pay.
We recommend you complete an income assessment as soon as you can as the process can take time. For more information visit myagedcare.gov.au/home-care-package-costs-and-fees.
You can also estimate your government funding and whether you will be required to make a personal contribution with the My Aged Care fee estimator tool.
How long will you wait to find out the outcome of your assessment?
The outcome of your assessment will arrive in the form of a letter from My Aged Care. It should state the Home Care Package level you've been approved for and your priority level. You shouldn’t have to wait more than a few weeks to receive this letter. If you don’t receive one, we recommend calling up My Aged Care to follow up.
Please note:
If the letter states you haven’t been approved for a home care package at this time, you can reapply when your circumstances change.
Need support whilst you wait?
If you need support whilst you wait for your home care package, you can get immediate self-funded in-home support with Salveo Home Care. To enquire contact us online or call 1800 725 836 - Option 1