While you’re on the Home Care Package waiting list.
Signing up for a Home Care Package allows older people with complex care needs to stay at home. As a federal government approved provider, we’re committed to your application progress. After your assessment, your eligibility is determined by an assessor. Upon approval for Home Care Packages, there might be a waiting period before it’s allocated to you.
While your assessment is under review.
If your home care assessment is under review, it means your care needs and eligibility are being reevaluated. Reasons include health changes or assessment accuracy concerns. Stay informed by keeping in touch with the assessment team, provide requested information, advocate for changed needs, and ask questions. The review aims to match your current needs, and any plan or eligibility changes will be communicated. Be patient because this doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t be eligible for one of the four levels of funding, it just means the assessment team needs to review your situation.
Actions you can take while you wait.
Home Care Packages are prioritised based on need and waiting time in a national queue, known as the National Priority System. Due to high demand, accessing your HCP benefits may take time. While your wait for your Home Care Package, there are four options to consider for accessing care:
- Access entry-level care through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP).
Discuss with your assessor the option of accessing temporary services through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) while awaiting your Home Care Package. CHSP offers an entry-level care with quicker access. Wait times for CHSP can be shorter than even a lower level HCP so this can be a good option. With CHSP you will need to pay a subsidised fee for specific services.
- Begin researching Providers.
This is a great time to start to research Providers. You can start looking for a Home Care Package Provider any time you like, even before you are approved for a Home Care Package. That way, you have plenty of time to learn about how different Providers operate and compare the costs. When your package is approved, you’ll be ready to sign up and begin. Lucky Care was created by a team of home care experts with over 30 years of experience in the industry. We are confident that we will provide you with more choices, control, and high-quality care services in your own home. We can assist you to get the support you need at home and allow you to manage your own package. We will also let you use the service provider of your choice to deliver your services.
- Pay for short-term private care.
While waiting for your HCP or interim package, you can opt for private home care from non-government providers. It’s not government-subsidised, so you’ll have to pay for these services out of your own pocket or with help from your family. No need for assessments or waiting lists; you can start right away. Even after receiving your HCP, you can continue to enjoy your private home care services beyond its coverage. Obviously not everyone is in a situation to be paying for services privately, but it is an option if you need to secure services right away and don’t have access to any government funding.
- Accept an interim Package.
Sometimes wait times for a higher level package might be longer than that for a lower level. While waiting for your assessed Home Care Package level, you might be offered a lower-level interim Package. Interim packages are for Level 2, 3, or 4 HCP applicants but may have a brief wait time. Discuss this option with your ACAT/ACAS assessor. Accepting an interim package won’t affect your spot in the Home Care Package wait list for your approved HCP level. While there will initially be less money in your budget on a lower level, it will ensure you secure some funding and services right away.
How long will you be waiting for your Home Care Package?
Packages are allocated fairly based on your approval date and priority level indicated in your letter from the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT). Your priority level is determined by your needs. If you disagree with your level, you can appeal; your assessor’s contact details are in the letter.
For people with a medium priority, the average wait time for an approved Home Care Package (starting from the date on the letter of approval) is:
- Level 1: 3-6 months
- Level 2: 3-6 months
- Level 3: 3-6 months
- Level 4: 3-6 months
Personal care
Support with everyday tasks that have become more difficult, such as grooming, showering, dressing and more.
Domestic assistance
Assistance keeping your home neat and tidy, including vacuuming, mopping, laundry and tidying up.
Enjoy Lucky Care services.
We work with the top service providers all over Australia to offer you the widest range of care. With us you can trust, that you feel safe and support in the comfort of your home.
Social support
Helping you connect to your local community, friends and loved ones. Attend events or social visits.
Allied health & therapy
Connecting you to health services you need like speech therapy, nutrition support, occupational therapy and more.
Nursing care
Clinical support in your own home. Personalised care including continence management, wound care and more.
Respite care
Support for when carers need a break. We provide a much-needed change of scenery for both client and carer.
How life is better with Lucky Care.
- More choice and control.
With Lucky Care you have the choice and control to receive the services you want, when you want them, delivered by an expert care worker that provides assistance that suits your needs.
- Low fixed fee, nothing more.
Pay low fixed transparent fees from your government funding and nothing more, whatever your HCP level, from Level 1 to Level 4 Home Care Package. This is how we support you to get more from your Home Care Package funding so you have more hours of care available for your home care services.
- Experts in self-management.
We were the first Provider in Australia to offer self-managed Home Care Packages. We help you wherever you are on your in home care journey to stay independent in your community.
Hear from some of our happy clients!
FAQS
When a Home Care Package becomes available, you will receive a letter from My Aged Care to let you know you have been assigned a package.
The letter will include:
- what level of Home Care Package has been assigned to you
- a unique referral code that you give to your chosen provider.
Once you have received this letter you can then start negotiating the details of your Home Care Agreement with your preferred provider. Once you have entered into an Agreement, you can start receiving services.
There are a few options you can explore if you want to get help earlier and have urgent needs that need to be addressed:
- The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP)
Another option is to seek help through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme. Tell your assessor if you would like to explore this option. They will help you find out if you’re eligible for specific services.
- Non government-funded services
These services may be an option if you need care while waiting for your approved package to become available.
If you aren’t eligible for a Home Care Package, you will receive a letter from your assessor that will tell you why.
There are other options available.
- You may be eligible for other government-funded aged care services. If you are, your letter will include a support plan outlining this information.
- If you’re not eligible for other services, you may want to look at aged care providers that aren’t government-funded.
- If you’re not eligible because your needs don’t meet the criteria, that can be an opportunity to make some changes. Depending on your circumstances, there are things you can do to help you maintain your independence and delay the need to access aged care services.
- If you are under 65 years old, you may want to explore your eligibility with the National Disability and Insurance Scheme (NDIS). You can do this through an NDIS Access Request. Call NDIS on +61 460 797979 (toll-free) for more information.
Book a free tele-consultation.
Want a phone call with our team at a time that suits? Our free consultation call with a dedicated Care Expert will give you more information about Home Care Packages, our different care models, aged care and answer any specific questions you have. Whether you are looking for companionship services, meals, carers, general education or have friends who have mentioned us to you, we will listen to your specific care needs and explain the options available to support you to live at home.
Interested in specific home care services? Let us know.
Select a date and time between Monday – Friday, 10am – 4pm (AEST), that suits you to meet with one of our Care Experts. They will give you a call on the phone within half an hour of the time you select.
Come along with any questions you have, and we will help guide the way.
