Home Care Package Guide

What can I spend my home care package on?

Search any item below — personal care, equipment, transport, technology and more — and instantly see what's covered, what isn't, and what depends on your plan.

Covered
Not covered
Depends on your situation

The 4 golden rules of home care package spending

Must meet an assessed care need

Every purchase must be linked to a need identified in your care plan. Your provider cannot approve items that weren't assessed.

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Cannot duplicate Medicare or PBS

Costs already covered by Medicare or the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme — like GP visits or prescription costs — cannot be claimed through your package.

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Always check with your provider first

Your approved provider makes the final call. Even items listed as likely covered require provider approval before purchase.

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Package funds stay in your account

Unspent funds roll over each fortnight. Under Support at Home (from July 2025), unused funds carry forward — use them or lose them at year end.

Search what you want to spend it on

65+ items across personal care, equipment, nursing, transport, home modifications and more.

32 generally covered
10 depends — ask your provider
18 not covered
Showering and bathing assistanceGenerally covered

Core personal care — covered under all package levels.

Personal Care
Dressing and groomingGenerally covered

Help with dressing, grooming and personal presentation.

Personal Care
Continence products and supportGenerally covered

Continence pads, aids and personal support.

Personal Care
Oral hygiene assistanceGenerally covered

Help with brushing teeth and oral care routine.

Personal Care
Skin care and wound managementGenerally covered

Basic skin care and wound care by a qualified nurse.

Personal Care
Medication managementGenerally covered

Help organising and administering medications — not the cost of the medications themselves.

Nursing
Prescription medication costsNot covered

The PBS covers prescription costs — home care packages cannot duplicate Medicare/PBS funding.

Nursing
Wound care and dressing changesGenerally covered

Nursing visits for wound care and dressing changes are covered.

Nursing
Health monitoring and vital signsGenerally covered

Regular monitoring of blood pressure, blood glucose and other health indicators.

Nursing
PhysiotherapyGenerally covered

Covered where your care plan identifies it as a need.

Allied Health
Occupational therapyGenerally covered

OT assessments and therapy — often recommended before home modifications.

Allied Health
PodiatryGenerally covered

Foot care by a registered podiatrist.

Allied Health
DietitianGenerally covered

Nutritional advice and dietary support from a qualified dietitian.

Allied Health
Speech therapyGenerally covered

Speech pathology for swallowing, communication and cognition.

Allied Health
Massage therapyDepends — ask your provider

Covered if delivered by a qualified allied health provider as part of your care plan — not general relaxation massage.

Allied Health
Gym membershipNot covered

General gym memberships are not covered. However, specific exercise programs prescribed by a physio or OT may be.

Allied Health
House cleaningGenerally covered

Regular domestic cleaning as part of your care plan.

Domestic Assistance
Laundry and ironingGenerally covered

Laundry assistance is a standard domestic service.

Domestic Assistance
Grocery shopping assistanceGenerally covered

The service of going shopping for you or with you is covered — but not the cost of the groceries themselves.

Domestic Assistance
Grocery costs (the food itself)Not covered

Groceries are a living expense — not a care service. Your package covers the shopping assistance, not the food bill.

Domestic Assistance
Meal preparationGenerally covered

A carer preparing meals in your home is covered.

Domestic Assistance
Meal delivery (e.g. Meals on Wheels)Generally covered

Delivered meal services can be funded through your package.

Domestic Assistance
Transport to medical appointmentsGenerally covered

Getting to and from GP, specialist or allied health appointments.

Transport
Transport to shoppingGenerally covered

Shopping trips are covered as a care service.

Transport
Transport to social activitiesGenerally covered

Community outings and social transport can be included in your care plan.

Transport
Holiday travelNot covered

Holidays and recreational travel are not funded. Medical travel may be covered in specific circumstances — discuss with your provider.

Transport
Personal emergency alarm (PERS)Generally covered

Medical alert devices and personal emergency response systems are commonly funded.

Equipment & Technology
Walking frame / walkerGenerally covered

Mobility aids including walkers and frames are covered.

Equipment & Technology
Wheelchair (hire or maintenance)Generally covered

Wheelchair hire, repairs and maintenance are covered. Outright purchase depends on your provider and funding level.

Equipment & Technology
Shower chair or shower stoolGenerally covered

Bathroom safety equipment is standard under home modifications and equipment.

Equipment & Technology
Bed rails / bed safety aidsGenerally covered

Bed rails and related safety equipment are covered when assessed as a need.

Equipment & Technology
Pressure mattress or cushionGenerally covered

Pressure-relieving equipment for wound prevention is covered.

Equipment & Technology
Hearing aidsDepends — ask your provider

Some components or maintenance may be covered. The Government's Hearing Services Program is the primary funding source — check eligibility there first.

Equipment & Technology
Glasses or spectaclesNot covered

Optical aids are not funded through home care packages.

Equipment & Technology
DenturesNot covered

Dental appliances including dentures are not covered.

Equipment & Technology
Computer or tabletDepends — ask your provider

A computer or tablet may be covered if it's prescribed as assistive technology by an OT for communication, telehealth or cognitive support — not for general use.

Equipment & Technology
TelevisionNot covered

TVs are a household item, not a care service or assistive technology.

Equipment & Technology
Fridge or refrigeratorDepends — ask your provider

A fridge is generally not covered — it's a household appliance. However, if medically required (e.g., for medication or special food storage due to a health condition), some providers may approve it. Needs OT assessment.

Equipment & Technology
Air conditionerDepends — ask your provider

May be covered if medically necessary — for example, if a GP or specialist documents that extreme heat poses a serious health risk. Not covered for general comfort.

Equipment & Technology
Internet connectionDepends — ask your provider

Some providers cover internet access if it's needed for telehealth, social connection, or accessing care services. Not standard — ask your provider.

Equipment & Technology
Grab rails installationGenerally covered

A common and standard home modification — usually requires an OT assessment first.

Home Modifications
RampsGenerally covered

Access ramps and threshold ramps are covered for safety and mobility.

Home Modifications
Non-slip flooring or matsGenerally covered

Non-slip safety products and minor floor treatment are covered.

Home Modifications
Stair liftDepends — ask your provider

Stair lifts are a major modification. May be covered at higher package levels with OT recommendation — check your funding level and provider policy.

Home Modifications
Cosmetic renovationsNot covered

Painting, new kitchens, landscaping and renovations that don't relate to care needs are not funded.

Home Modifications
General home repairsNot covered

Maintenance and repairs unrelated to care needs (e.g., plumbing, roof repairs) are not covered.

Home Modifications
Garden maintenance (safety)Depends — ask your provider

Clearing paths, removing trip hazards and basic lawn mowing may be covered where it relates to your safety. Aesthetic gardening is not.

Garden & Outdoor
Aesthetic gardeningNot covered

Garden beds, planting and ornamental work are not funded.

Garden & Outdoor
Social support and community activitiesGenerally covered

Day programs, community groups and social outings can be funded.

Social & Respite
In-home respite careGenerally covered

A carer coming to your home to give your regular carer a break is covered.

Social & Respite
Residential respite careDepends — ask your provider

Short-term residential respite may be partially covered. It has its own government funding (up to 63 days/year). Discuss with your provider.

Social & Respite
Pet careDepends — ask your provider

Feeding or walking pets may be covered if you cannot do it yourself due to your care needs — not all providers fund this.

Social & Respite
AlcoholNot covered

Alcohol is not a care service.

Not Covered
GamblingNot covered

Gambling is not covered under any circumstances.

Not Covered
Paying a family member as a carerNot covered

In most cases, you cannot use your package to pay a family member or close friend to care for you. There are very limited exceptions — discuss with your provider.

Not Covered
Private health insurance premiumsNot covered

Health insurance premiums are not a care service.

Not Covered
TV streaming (Netflix, Foxtel)Not covered

Entertainment subscriptions are not funded.

Not Covered
Cinema or entertainment ticketsNot covered

Entertainment costs are not covered.

Not Covered
Power bills or utility costsNot covered

Utility costs are a living expense, not a care service.

Not Covered
NDIS supports (if already funded)Not covered

Home care packages cannot fund services already covered by the NDIS. If you have both, the package covers aged care needs and NDIS covers disability supports.

Not Covered

⚠️ This tool provides general guidance only. Whether a specific item is approved depends on your individual care plan, funding level, and provider policies. Always confirm with your Support at Home provider before purchasing. Source: Department of Health and Aged Care.

Common questions

The questions we hear most from families getting started.

Can I buy a fridge with my home care package?+

It depends. A standard fridge for everyday use is generally not approved — it's considered a normal household expense. However, if a specialised refrigerator is medically necessary (for example, to store insulin, medication, or temperature-sensitive supplements), your provider may be able to approve it with written clinical justification.

Talk to your provider and GP before purchasing. They'll need to document the medical need in your care plan.

Can I buy a laptop or tablet with my home care package?+

It depends on why you need it. A tablet or computer can be approved if it directly supports your assessed care needs — for example, video calling for social connection, telehealth appointments with your GP or specialist, or using a health monitoring app.

It cannot be approved for general personal use. Your provider will want to see how it connects to your care plan before approving the spend.

Can I use my package to buy food or groceries?+

No — the food itself cannot be covered. Your package can pay for a support worker to help you with grocery shopping or for home-delivered meals as a service. But the actual cost of groceries or food is your personal expense.

Meal preparation at home by a support worker is covered — the food is not.

Can my family member be paid to care for me through my package?+

Generally no. Home care package funds cannot be used to pay a family member or friend who lives with you as your regular carer. The government does not fund informal care arrangements through the package system.

There are very limited exceptions for remote areas where no registered providers are available — this requires specific ACAT approval. Speak to your ACAT assessor if you think this may apply to you.

Does unused money in my package roll over?+

Yes — under the new Support at Home program (from July 2025), unspent funds carry forward from fortnight to fortnight within the same program year. This means you can save up for larger purchases like equipment or home modifications.

At the end of each program year, unspent funds do not carry over to the next year, so plan your spending with your provider accordingly.

Not sure what level you have — or what you're entitled to?

Your package level determines your annual budget — from $10,731 at Level 1 up to $78,106 at Level 8. The higher your level, the more services and equipment you can access each year.

WithSally helps families understand their options, navigate the assessment process, and match with the right provider — all at no cost to you.

Get matched free →View package levels

Package budgets 2025–26

Level 1Basic care needs
$10,731
Level 2Low care needs
$18,063
Level 3Intermediate needs
$39,310
Level 4High care needs
$59,594
Level 5Very high needs
$64,754
Level 6Complex needs
$70,179
Level 7Advanced complex
$74,495
Level 8Highest needs
$78,106

Per year, government subsidy. Your contribution may be additional.

Need help getting a package — or switching providers?

WithSally is a free matching service. We'll help you understand your options, navigate the system, and connect you with a provider that actually fits your needs.

Get matched — it's free →

No cost to families. No pressure. No obligation.

General information only. Home care package rules can change — always confirm current entitlements and inclusions with your approved provider or the My Aged Care helpline on 1800 200 422. WithSally is an independent referral service and is not affiliated with the Australian Government or My Aged Care.