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Understanding the 2024 Home Care Package funding increase

In welcome news to care recipients, the Federal Government have announced an increase to the Home Care Package subsidies and supplements, effective 1 July 2024. This adjustment is part of an ongoing effort to maintain the quality and sustainability of care services for older Australians, ensuring they receive the best possible support in their homes.

Trilogy Care is pleased to confirm that it is not making any changes to its fee structure and will continue to charge a low fixed percentage from your package each month.

What's changed?

The funding adjustment involves an increase in the overall subsidy for all Home Care Package levels, in addition to an increase to supplement amounts. This increase is necessary to account for rising operational costs and to ensure that care providers can continue to deliver high-quality services.

The government subsidy and Trilogy Care pricing for each package level is as follows:

Self Managed (15%)

Self Managed PLUS (26%)

The 1 July 2024 changes to the Home Care Package funding structure underscore the commitment to sustaining and enhancing the quality of home-based care, ensuring that older Australians continue to receive the support they need most efficiently and effectively.

The above pricing is to be used as guide. For more information on the subsidy increase and how it will change your personal Home Care Package, please log onto the Trilogy Care Portal or speak to your care partner.

Federal budget 2024: Key investments to improve aged care quality

. The image features a document titled "Federal Budget 2024 Investing in Quality Aged Care" on the left and a large dollar sign icon on the right, symbolising financial investment.

Here are some important updates from the recent Federal Budget 2024 that will directly improve Australia’s aged care quality. Here’s what you need to know:

Updates regarding Home Care Packages

The government is investing $531.4 million to add 24,100 new Home Care Packages, reducing wait times to 6 months. This initiative is part of the rollout of the Single Assessment System, commencing on July 1, 2024.
$88.4 million was allocated to expand the aged care workforce in rural areas, tackling critical shortages.

Aged care reform investments

$111 million commitment to support ongoing aged care reforms, including strengthening the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission. $1.4 billion for significant technology infrastructure upgrades.
Launch of the new Support at Home Program.
The new Aged Care Act is to commence on 1 July 2025.

Supporting older Australians post-hospitalisation

A $1.2 billion funding package will upskill the residential aged care workforce, provide hospital outreach services in the community, virtual care services, and manage complex care needs outside of hospitals.
Additionally, $190 million will assist older Australians in recovering post-hospitalisation through extended support via the Transition Care Programme.

Better medical services

Over the next five years, $318 million will be invested to keep medicines cheaper, with up to a five-year freeze on the cost of PBS prescriptions for pensioners.
Starting 1 August 2024, aged care residents will benefit from more consistent care through a new incentive program for GPs, which includes quarterly payments on top of Medicare rebates for managing MyMedicare registered residents.

Improved dementia care

An investment of $101.4 million will focus on improving services and support for individuals living with complex care needs, including dementia.

How will the increase in the aged care workers award impact my Home Care Package

In an exciting, and much-deserved decision by the Fair Work Commission, from 1 July 2023 aged care workers are scheduled to receive a 15% award wage increase. This award wage increase covers all workers who work under the:

Aged Care Award 2010
Nurses Award 2020, and the
Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award (SCHADS) 2010.

These changes have been made to recognize the complex and often undervalued work our aged care workers provide and will result in more skilled staff and higher-quality care for Home Care Package recipients.

To cover the wage rises the Federal Government is increasing the Home Care Package basic subsidy by 11.9% (including annual indexation).

What does this mean for me?

From 1 July 2023, you will notice an increase in your Home Care Package subsidy. This increase has been applied to cover the increase in the award wages of aged care workers. The new home care subsidy amounts for each level are as follows:

For most clients, the increase in the daily subsidy will cover any increase in costs associated with the increase in the award wage.

My package is mostly or fully allocated toward care. What should I do?

Level 1-3 packages -

If you’re concerned the increase will not cover your care requirements, please contact your Care Partner to discuss the possibility of requesting a reassessment from the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT).

Level 4 packages -

We may be able to apply to the Government on your behalf to bridge the gap in costs. Speak to your Care Partner to discuss your current care plan and the next steps we can take to support you through that process.

Your package fees

The percentage calculation of our pricing will remain at the agreed rate in your Home Care Agreement but because of the change in dollar amount, you will see an increase in the amount of your package fee.

The fee split across care management and package management services remains unchanged.

For more information on how the increase will affect your subsidy or supplement, review your Home Care Agreement or call your Care Partner.

Service provider fees

As a result of the changes to the aged care workers’ award rates, some service providers employing aged care workers may need to raise their rates. However, you, as the client, need to agree to any increase in service charges. If you consider a rate rise to be reasonable and related to the wage increase, we encourage you to accept it.

If you believe that the increase is unrelated to the wage rise or is not being passed on to the aged care workers delivering your services, please ask your service provider to supply you with more information.

Once you agree to a rate increase, please contact your Care Partner to ensure the new amount is reflected in your care plan and care budget.

If we identify invoices that have increased significantly, we may hold payment until you contact your Care Partner to update your care plan and care budget.

Need more information?

If you have any questions about this increase or are not satisfied that it is connected to the Aged Care Worker wage rise or Home Care Package subsidy increase, please contact your Care Partner or MyAgedCare.