Home Care Package Levels 1–4 Explained: A Simple Guide for Australian Families

Choosing in-home aged care can feel overwhelming. If you've been told you may qualify for a Home Care Package (HCP), one of the first things to understand is the four package levels — and what each one is designed to cover. Here's a plain-English guide for families.

What is a Home Care Package?

A Home Care Package is Australian Government funding that helps older people get the care and support they need to keep living safely and independently at home, rather than moving into residential aged care. The funding is paid as a subsidy and is managed by an approved provider like CareU.

The four Home Care Package levels

Packages are assigned in four levels, based on how much support a person needs. Higher levels come with more funding.

• Level 1 — Basic care needs. Light support such as occasional help around the home, simple personal care, or social support.

• Level 2 — Low-level care needs. More regular help with daily tasks, personal care, and getting out and about.

• Level 3 — Intermediate care needs. Frequent support, often including nursing, allied health, and help managing health conditions.

• Level 4 — High-level care needs. The highest level of in-home support, for people with complex needs who want to remain at home.

Important: the level you are approved for is decided by an aged care assessment, not by the provider. Your provider helps you spend the funding well once a package is assigned.

What can the funding be used for?

Home Care Package funds are flexible and can be used for a wide range of services that help you stay independent, including:

• Personal care — showering, dressing, grooming

• Domestic help — cleaning, laundry, meal preparation

• Nursing and allied health — physiotherapy, podiatry, wound care

• Mobility and safety equipment, and minor home modifications

• Transport to appointments and social activities

• Social support and companionship

How do I get a package?

You start by contacting My Aged Care and arranging an assessment. If you're approved, you'll be placed in a national queue and notified when a package is assigned. From there you choose a provider to manage your care.

How CareU can help

CareU is an Australian home-care provider supporting older people and their families — with multilingual staff who understand that aged care can be confusing, especially when English isn't your first language. We help you understand your package, plan your services, and make every dollar count.

Not sure where to start? CareU's friendly team helps Australian families navigate aged care every day — including support in your language. Contact us for a free, no-obligation chat about your options.