Home Care Package Fees and Charges Explained
Home Care Package fees explained: the basic daily fee, income-tested care fee, and how contributions now work under Support at Home.
The two Home Care Package fees
How the fees fitted together
What changed under Support at Home
The no worse off principle
How contributions are worked out now
Getting a clear picture of your costs
Frequently asked questions
What fees did a Home Care Package have?
Two main fees. A basic daily fee that everyone could be asked to pay, set as a percentage of the Age Pension, and an income-tested care fee paid only by people with higher income, based on income not assets and subject to annual and lifetime caps.
Do these fees still exist under Support at Home?
The structure changed on 1 November 2025. Clinical care is now fully government-funded, and contributions to everyday and independence supports are means-tested by service type. Separate entry, exit and admin fees are banned, and care management is capped at 10%.
Will I pay more under the new system?
A no worse off principle protects people who had a package before the change, meaning your contribution should leave you no worse off than under your old package. Ask your provider to show how your previous fees map to the new model.
How do I find out what I will contribute?
Ask your provider for a written breakdown and read your quarterly statement, which shows the care management deduction and every service. Services Australia handles the income and assets assessment, and figures change, so confirm current amounts.