The Home Care Package (HCP) offers ageing Australians a choice of services to keep them safe, healthy and secure at home; however, HCP funds have strict parameters attached to them. Within these parameters, the government subsidy is working for you; outside these parameters, you may find yourself forfeiting the bill. Below is a straightforward guide outlining what is included and what is excluded, as well as creative ways to enhance your package through Advance Care Agency.
1. Why it’s essential to know the rules
1. Stay away from surprise expenditures that you have to pay for.
2. Pass compliance audits—if you misspend money, you may have to repay it.
3. Stretch limited funds further by focusing on approved supports
4. Plan for future needs, such as higher-level care or home modifications
2. HCP Inclusions—What You Can Fund
Advance Care Agency supports you with a full spectrum of Home Care Package services. First, personal and clinical treatment. These individuals are professionals, including nurses and experienced caregivers, who can visit each day for dressing, showering, toileting, wound care, and medication administration. In addition, cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping, and cooking are provided on a flexible, weekly basis. Our allied health team can arrange for you to receive physiotherapy, occupational therapy, podiatry, or speech pathology either at the clinic or in your home.
We provide you with social and community support to help you stay active and engaged. This includes door-to-door transportation for medical appointments, group activities, and social gatherings with friends. After an occupational therapy examination and a quote from a supplier, your package can cover the cost of assistive technology and equipment, such as mobility aids, shower chairs, personal alarms, and CPAP rentals. To keep your house and yard safe, certified tradesmen can install grab rails, handheld showers, small ramps, and smoke detectors.
They can also take care of your grass as part of our project-managed service. Respite and overnight care cover brief breaks, such as 24/7 in-home support or short stays in a care facility. Lastly, our care management and coordination team is responsible for creating plans, setting budgets, and ensuring that all service agreements are clear and comply with the rules.
Tip: Keep every invoice and service agreement; your Care Manager will reconcile them against your monthly statement.
3. HCP Exclusions—What the Package Won’t Cover
Not Funded: Why It’s Excluded
Rent, mortgage, council rates, and utilities are considered everyday living expenses.
Groceries, take-away meals, and restaurant bills can be paid for by HCP, not meal prep labour itself. Tickets, cruises, flights- other ways to have fun and go on vacation. Not directly tied to health or safety goals.
Medicare or private health insurance pays for general health costs, including doctors’ appointments, dental work, hospital stays and PBS drugs.
Home renovations add property value. Only safety-related modifications are allowed. Luxury items (designer furniture, high-end electronics) are not “value for money” in the aged-care context. Groceries for pets & vet bills are outside the scope of personal care
Cash withdrawals or gift cards. Must pay directly for services/equipment
Permanent residential aged-care fees: Separate funding stream
4. Grey-Area Items—Ask Before You Buy
1. Air-conditioners & ceiling fans—often approved if needed for medical reasons (e.g., COPD).
2. Smart-home devices—allowed when they increase safety (smart doorbell, fall-detection watch).
3. Internet costs—sometimes funded if required for telehealth or care-monitoring tech.
4. Meal-delivery service charges—the delivery and prep fee may be covered; the raw food cost is not. Always run grey-area purchases past your Care Manager for written approval.
5. Maximising Your Package with Advance Care Agency
1. Care-Plan Deep-Dive – We map goals against eligible supports and flag quick wins.
2. Quarterly Budget Reviews – Prevent under-spend (lost services) and over-spend (out-of-pocket shock).
3. Bulk-Buy Savings – We negotiate supplier discounts on continence aids, nutrition supplements and mobility aids.
4. Upgrade Advocacy – If your needs arise, we prepare evidence for a level-upgrade request.
5. Exit-Fee-Free Guarantee – You can leave or change levels at any time with no exit fee.
6. Next Steps
1. Review your current spending: Compare your last month’s statement with the list above.
2. Book a free care plan audit with Advance Care Agency to spot savings or service gaps.
3. Set new goals before your annual review—extra clarity can unlock more funding.
Ready to make every dollar count?
Visit the Advance Care Agency. We’ll ensure your Home Care Package stays 100% compliant while delivering the care and lifestyle you deserve.
