The government pays subsidies and supplements for your care package and you may also be asked to make a contribution if you have enough money.
Government payments go to your provider who holds funds on your behalf and works with you to coordinate the services you want. A provider must discuss and agree upon any fees with you before services begin. The maximum fees payable must be recorded on the Home Care Agreement.
The budget for your package is made up of:
- Government subsidy (and any supplement)
- Basic daily fee - which consumers may be asked to pay
- Income tested care fee - which you may need to pay depending on your assessable income
Plus:
- Any other amounts you've agreed to pay
You can only be asked to pay an income-tested fee if your yearly income is above a set threshold which takes into account personal variables.
If you are part of a couple, half of your combined income is considered in determining the income-tested fee, regardless of who earns the income.
After you've completed your income and assets assessment,the Department of Health Services will let you and your package provider know the maximum fees payable.
Jill Donaldson
agedcare101 Physiotherapist
The amount of subsidy that the government would normally pay to a package provider on your behalf is reduced by the maximum amount of income tested care fee that you can be charged. The care subsidy reduction will be administered by the Department of Health Services.
