Getting older doesn’t mean you have to leave the home you love. If you or a loved one need a little extra support to stay independent, a Home Care Package can help. But many people feel overwhelmed by the process or worry about the cost. The good news is, help is available — and it’s more affordable than you might think.
In this guide, we explain how to get a Home Care Package and what it could cost, so you can feel confident about your next steps.
How do I get a Home Care Package?
A Home Care Package is a government-subsidised program designed to help older Australians live at home longer by providing access to care and support services.
So you may be asking, "How do I get a Home Care Package?"
Under the former Home Care Packages program, this was how to apply:
- Check your eligibility – You must be aged 65 or older (or 50+ for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people) and need support with daily tasks.
- Book an assessment – You contacted My Aged Care, who arranged for the Single Assessment Service (SAS) to visit you and assess your care needs.
- Receive your outcome – If approved, you were assigned a Home Care Package level (1–4) based on your care needs. Level 1 provided basic support; Level 4 was for high-level care.
- Choose your provider – Once your package was assigned, you chose an approved provider to deliver your care and manage your funding.
If you need help at any stage, Trilogy Care can guide you through the application process, free of charge.
What are the costs?
One of the biggest concerns people have is about home care services cost. Under the former Home Care Packages program, the government paid the bulk of your package, but you could be asked to contribute, depending on your circumstances.
Possible contributions
You might have paid:
- Basic daily fee – many providers chose not to charge this.
- Income-tested care fee – if your income was above a certain amount, you could pay an additional contribution, as determined by Services Australia.
These fees ended when Support at Home started on 1 November 2025. Since 1 November 2025, Trilogy Care charges a fee of 10% on each service you use. It is added to the supplier's invoice, so you pay it only when a service is delivered.
How to get the best value from your Home Care Package
Once you’ve secured your package, you can use it to pay for a wide range of services, including:
- Personal care (e.g. showering, dressing)
- Domestic help (e.g. cleaning, meals)
- Allied health services (e.g. physiotherapy, podiatry)
- Social support and transport
At Trilogy Care, we help you design a care plan that suits your needs and make sure you get the most from your budget.
Trilogy Care can guide you
If you’re ready to take the next step or just want some advice, contact Trilogy Care today. Our friendly team can help you apply for Support at Home, choose the right services, and understand the costs.
Give our friendly team a call on 1300 459 190 to further discuss your aged care options or learn more about self-management.
