Have questions related to our services?
What services does Gratitude In-home Care provide?
We can assist with whatever services you might require. Our care services are individually tailored for individual needs. We offer personal care, domestic support, community access, cooking, and shopping, nursing services, medication assistance, after hospital care, gardening & home maintenance, and companionship.
Who can use our service?
What is an aged care assessment?
How much does care cost?
What Is a Home Care Package?
The Home Care Packages Program was introduced by the Australian Government to help older Australians stay independent and live safely at home. It allows seniors to receive tailored care and support services of their choice, for as long as needed, in collaboration with an approved provider.
To access this program, you’ll need an ACAT (Aged Care Assessment Team) assessment to determine your eligibility. If eligible, you’ll be placed in a queue until a package becomes available. Once assigned, you and your chosen provider can decide how to use your government-funded package to suit your needs.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Home Care Package?
Once your ACAT assessment is completed and you’re found eligible, you’ll be added to the National Priority System. This system prioritizes based on your care needs and the date you were approved.
Estimated wait times:
Level 1 Package: 3 to 6 months
Higher-Level Packages: 9 to 12 months*
You can view your estimated wait time by logging into your My Aged Care Client Portal.
If you’re approved for a higher-level package, you can choose to accept a lower-level one sooner or use CHSP (Commonwealth Home Support Program) services in the meantime. This won’t affect your spot in the queue—it just lets you receive some care sooner.
*Note: These are general estimates based on 2021 data from the Department of Health.
How Can I Upgrade My Home Care Package?
Each package level provides different amounts of funding depending on care needs. If your needs change, contact your provider—they’ll review your care plan and help you access additional services. If necessary, they can request a reassessment to upgrade your package level.
Can I Switch My Home Care Provider?
Yes! You’re free to change providers at any time. Here’s how:
Contact your current provider to end your services.
Reactivate your referral code via your My Aged Care Portal.
Share the reactivated code with your new provider.
You can also call My Aged Care at 1300 912 155 if you prefer not to contact the provider directly.
For a smooth changeover, check out our guide: 5 Steps to Switch Home Care Package Providers.
What Is a Referral Code?
A referral code is a unique number (starting with “1-“) you receive if you’re approved for a Home Care Package. This code lets a provider access your ACAT assessment to create a personalized care plan. Sharing the code doesn’t commit you to using that provider’s services.
If you’re switching providers, your code must be reactivated before it can be used again. To do this, call My Aged Care at 1300 912 155.
What Is the National Priority System?
The National Priority System is how the Australian Government allocates Home Care Packages. It considers your care needs and the date of your approval, and assigns a package when one becomes available.
You can check your estimated wait time through your My Aged Care Client Portal.
Need more details? See our full guide on how the National Priority System works.
Who Is Eligible for a Home Care Package?
According to My Aged Care, Home Care Packages are designed for older individuals who need coordinated support to continue living independently at home.
Generally, you must be:
65 years or older, or
50 years or older if you’re an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person.
To check your eligibility, you can use the My Aged Care online eligibility tool.
What Is an ACAT Assessment?
An ACAT (Aged Care Assessment Team) assessment is a detailed evaluation conducted by the Australian Government to determine what kind of care and services best suit your situation. The assessment looks at your health, lifestyle, and daily needs to recommend suitable aged care options.
Due to COVID-19, many assessments are now done via phone or video call.
You’ll typically receive your results within 2 to 6 weeks. If you’re eligible for a Home Care Package, you’ll be placed in the National Priority System to wait for a package to become available.
Need more details? Check out our step-by-step guide to the ACAT assessment process.
Can I Access Both CHSP and a Home Care Package?
In most cases, you cannot receive both a Home Care Package (HCP) and Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) services at the same time. This is to make sure basic care is distributed fairly among those who need it.
However, in exceptional circumstances, some people may be allowed to access both. For full details, refer to the CHSP and Home Care Package Fact Sheet.
Can People Under 65 Get a Home Care Package?
Yes, in certain cases. If you’re under 65 and are:
On a low income,
Homeless or at risk of homelessness, and
Aged 50 or over (or **45+ for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people),
—you may still qualify. To discuss your individual situation, contact My Aged Care on 1300 912 155.
When Should I Get Assessed?
Because Home Care Packages can take several months to be assigned (sometimes up to a year), the best time to be assessed is as soon as you’re eligible. Starting early gets you into the system sooner and reduces waiting time down the track.
You can find out if you qualify using the My Aged Care eligibility checker.
Explore our detailed ACAT assessment guide for more help.
I’ve Been Assigned a Home Care Package — What Happens Next?
Once your Home Care Package is assigned, you’ll receive a referral code. This code must be given to your chosen Home Care Package provider before you can begin receiving services.
Here’s what happens next:
Provide Your Referral Code – This allows us to access the details from your ACAT assessment.
Complete a Questionnaire – We’ll send you a short form to collect key information about your care needs and preferences.
Care Plan Meeting – Once we receive your questionnaire, we’ll book a phone or video meeting to discuss your care needs and how we’ll use your Home Care Package budget to meet them.
Sign Your Agreement – After the meeting, we’ll email you a Home Care Agreement outlining the services you’ll receive and when they will start. Services typically begin about 1.5 weeks after receiving your referral code.
When and Where Will My Care Plan Meeting Be?
Although we’re based in Brisbane, we deliver our services entirely by phone and email, making it easy for clients across Australia to access support.
After you send us your referral code, we’ll email you a questionnaire. Once that’s completed, we’ll schedule a phone or video care plan meeting, usually within a week.
What Is a Care Plan?
A care plan is a personalized guide created during your care plan meeting. Your care manager will talk with you about your health, goals, and daily challenges, and then design a plan that outlines the services you’ll receive.
This plan ensures your care fits within your Home Care Package budget and directly supports your needs.
What’s the Difference Between an ‘Approved Provider’ and a ‘Service Provider’?
An Approved Provider is a government-registered organization that manages Home Care Package funding. You must work through an approved provider to access your allocated funds.
A Service Provider is a business that delivers actual services—such as personal care, nursing, gardening, or cleaning—and is paid through your Home Care Package funds.
In short: the Approved Provider manages your care package, while the Service Providers deliver the care itself.
What Does It Mean to Self-Manage a Home Care Package?
Choosing to self-manage your Home Care Package means you take charge of finding and managing your own care workers. If you’re comfortable using email and a computer, it’s quite straightforward.
You can find support workers using online platforms like:
Mable
Find a Carer
Careseekers
Like Family – where carers charge a simple, flat rate
These tools make it easy to connect with carers in your local area.
Need a hand getting started? Check out our guide on finding your own home care workers.
Self-Managed vs Fully Managed Home Care — What’s the Difference?
Here’s a simple breakdown:
-
Fully Managed Care:
The provider handles everything – schedules, staffing, and finances. This is convenient but comes at a cost. Up to 35% of your Home Care Package may be used in fees, and you have little control over who provides your care. -
Self-Managed Care:
You choose your own carers and decide which services you want. Your provider still takes care of the financial side and ensures workers meet compliance standards.
Still unsure? Explore our in-depth guide comparing self-managed and fully managed care.
What Is Self-Management Plus?
Want the savings and control of self-management with a little extra support? Our Self-Management Plus option offers just that.
For a flat annual rate of 26%, you get:
Everything included in the standard self-management package
A dedicated Care Coordinator to assist with sourcing and managing carers who suit your needs and preferences
It’s the perfect balance between independence and support.
For full details, check out our pricing and package options.
Is Respite Care Included in My Home Care Package?
Yes, some respite services may be covered under your Home Care Package—as long as they’re not already funded through another government program. Your eligibility for respite care is determined during your ACAT assessment, and coverage is assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Can My Home Care Package Cover Meals?
Your package can cover the cost of preparing and delivering meals, but not the raw food ingredients—except in cases like enteral feeding.
For example, if you’re using Lite n’ Easy, around 70% of the cost (the preparation and delivery component) may be funded through your package. You’ll need to cover the remaining 30% for the food itself.
Note: Restaurant or takeaway meals are not covered.
Are Hearing Aids Funded Through My Home Care Package?
No. Hearing aids are subsidised under the Australian Government Hearing Services Program, so they’re not eligible for funding through your Home Care Package.
Can I Get Extra Supplements Through My Home Care Package?
Yes, if you’re eligible, supplements can be added to your Home Care Package subsidy. These are determined through assessments and include:
Dementia and Cognition Supplement
Veterans’ Supplement
Oxygen Supplement
Enteral Feeding Supplement
Viability Supplement
Hardship Supplement
Does Gratitude Offer Services Other Providers Don’t?
All registered Home Care Package Providers must follow the same government-regulated framework, so the services covered are generally the same across providers.
Curious about what your package can cover? Explore our guide on Home Care Package fund usage.
Can I Use My Home Care Package to Pay for a Funeral?
No. Home Care Package funds are strictly for services that support your care needs, health, and safety at home. Funeral expenses do not meet these criteria and are not covered.
Can I Use My Home Care Package for Home Modifications?
Yes—minor home modifications can be covered, provided they meet your care needs. These typically include things like grab rails, shower chairs, or temporary ramps.
Keep in mind:
The changes must be essential to your health or mobility.
They must not increase the value of the property.
All requests are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
For more details, see our inclusion and exclusion guide.