Understanding Aged Care Funding

There are many different options for aged care funding, depending on your individual circumstances. The most common aged care services are the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) and the Home Care Package (HCP) program.

This article will give you a better understanding of the options for aged care funding available, and the criteria for each.

Funding for Aged Care options

Am I eligible? My Aged Care – Assessment Online

To be eligible for Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) or the Home Care Package Funding on the basis of your age you must be:

• Aged 65 years or older (50 years or older for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people), or
• 50 years or older (45 or older for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people) and on a low income, homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) funding

The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) provides basic support services for older people who need help with activities of daily living, such as personal care, domestic assistance, and transport. This program is a good option for seniors who need some assistance with their daily needs but do not require the more intensive level of care provided by a HCP.

The 4 main categories of services they provide are

• safety in the home
• connection in the community
• health and independence,
• help for anyone experiencing homelessness.

These services include support with meals, home modifications, planned respite care and personal care.

Home Care Package (HCP) funding

The Home Care Packages Support Program (HCPP) offers more extensive care for older adults who have higher levels of care needs, such as those with dementia or serious medical conditions. This program provides funding for a range of services, including personal care, domestic assistance, and nursing care.

Home care packages can also be used to help fund services in residential aged care facilities. Residential aged care funding is applied for using the same application form we linked to above.

Basic care needs.

Approximately $8,900 a year

Low-level care.

Approximately $15,700 a year

Intermediate care. Approximately $34,000 a year

High-level care. Approximately $51,600 a year

The government contribution towards your home care package is dependent upon the level of care you have been approved for. Funds are paid to the aged care providers you select, who will manage them for you (unless you choose a self-managed package).

Other aged care options

If you don’t qualify for either CHSP or HCPP but still require home care, you may still be eligible for one of the following:

Community Assistance and Support Program

CASP is a program provided by ACT Health.

To be eligible for CASP you must:

• live in the ACT (Australian Capital Territory)
• be under 65, and
• require support for daily living activities due to a health issue.

The aim of the CASP is to help facilitate health, independence and interaction in the community.

Their supports include care coordination, counselling, personal care, domestic assistance, and personal care.

They do not provide support for long term or more complex needs.

Short term restorative care

Short term restorative care is a program provided by the Australian government, designed to help manage and adapt to your changing needs.

Their support is provided based on a doctor's recommendation and based on your specific needs. It can include personal care, cooking and meal assistance, transportation, physio and occupational therapy.

These are short-term aids, available for a period of up to 8 weeks, twice a year.

Private providers

If you do not meet the criteria for these government-funded programs, you do still have some options in the private sector.

These will not be subsidised by the Australian government, and you will be required to meet the full costs yourself.

For more information on private options, go to https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/private-providers

We hope this article has given you a better understanding of the aged care system in Australia and aged care funding.

Haisey Home Care offers a variety of options, whatever your circumstances. If you’d like an informal chat about your needs, just contact us here by message, email or phone.