Because it can often take a long time to receive a home care package, the best time to be assessed is as soon as you are eligible. Being allocated a home care package can sometimes take up to a year, so it’s best to get your foot in the door by being assessed as soon as possible. You can check if you are eligible using My Aged Care’s eligibility checker tool.

Check our guide on ACAT assessments for more information.

Under specific circumstances, under 65s may be eligible for a home care package. If you are on a low income, are homeless or at risk of being homeless, and are aged 50 years or older (45 or older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people), then you may be eligible. Call My Aged care on 1800 200 422 to discuss your specific circumstances.

In most cases, you cannot access a Home Care Package and Commonwealth Home Support Programme services at the same time. This ensures that as many people as possible receive basic care services. There are a limited number of specific circumstances where you may be able to receive both CHSP services and a Home Care Package at the same time. Visit the CHSP Interaction with Home Care Packages Fact Sheet for more information.

The Australian Government Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) will conduct a comprehensive assessment of your situation, lifestyle, and health, to identify where you need help with daily tasks, and to recommend the right services which meet your needs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, most ACAT assessments are conducted over the phone or through video.

This assessment is completed to understand whether you are suitable for short-term care options or a Home Care Package (and what level). You should receive the results of your ACAT assessment within 2-6 weeks. If you are deemed eligible for a Home Care Package, you will go into the National Priority System and will be assigned a Home Care Package when one becomes available.

If you need more help, check out our comprehensive guide on what happens during an ACAT assessment.

My Aged Care states that you must be ‘an older person who needs coordinated services to help them stay at home’ to be eligible for a home care package. Generally, you must be over 65 years old to be eligible (50 years or older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people).

You can check whether you are eligible for a home care package using My Aged Care’s eligibility tool.