What Can I Spend My Aged Care Package On in Australia?
Many families ask what you can use your aged care package on and which services are approved under government funding guidelines.
You have a home care package — or you are applying for one — and you want to make the most of every dollar.
You are not alone. Every week, thousands of Australian families ask the same question: exactly what can this funding be used for?
The honest answer is: more than most families realise. And since November 2025, when Australia transitioned to the new Support at Home programme, the rules have changed in ways that actually benefit most older Australians.
This guide covers everything — what you can spend it on, what you cannot, how social support and daily check-ins fit in, and one specific technology that thousands of Australian families are now using their package funding for.
Quick answer for busy families: Your home care package (now called Support at Home) covers: personal care, household help, clinical care, transport, home modifications, equipment, meal preparation, and social support including daily social contact. It does not cover general living costs, holidays, or entertainment.
What Is a Home Care Package in 2026?
From 1 November 2025, the Australian Government replaced Home Care Packages with the new Support at Home programme. If you already had a Home Care Package, you have automatically transitioned — the core spending rules remain similar, but there are some important updates.
Support at Home provides government-funded services to help older Australians stay living safely and independently at home for as long as possible. Funding is based on your assessed care needs — the more support you need, the more funding you receive.
Under the new programme, care services are grouped into three categories:
- Clinical care — 100% funded by the government (nursing, allied health)
- Independence support — partially funded based on your income and assets
- Everyday living — partially funded based on your income and assets
Important 2026 update: From 1 October 2026, the Australian Government will fully fund personal care services — meaning no out-of-pocket cost for personal care if it is approved in your support plan. Source: myagedcare.gov.au. For Support at Home programme details, visit health.gov.au.
What Can You Spend Your Aged Care Package On?
Here is a complete breakdown of approved spending categories. Every service must be directly related to your assessed care needs and included in your care plan.
| Category | What Is Covered | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Care | Help with daily living tasks that maintain dignity and independence | Showering, dressing, grooming, continence care, mobility assistance |
| Household Help | Tasks to keep the home safe, clean, and functional | Cleaning, vacuuming, laundry, dishwashing, changing bed linen, grocery shopping |
| Clinical Care | Professional health services — 100% government funded | Nursing, wound care, medication management, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, podiatry, speech therapy |
| Meals | Nutrition support | Meal preparation at home, meal delivery services (not the food itself — just preparation and delivery costs) |
| Transport | Travel related to care needs | Transport to medical appointments, shopping, social activities — sometimes including personal assistance during outings |
| Home Modifications | Safety and accessibility changes | Ramps, grab rails, non-slip flooring, handrails, bathroom modifications — must be clinically recommended |
| Equipment | Assistive technology and devices | Hospital-style beds, walking frames, wheelchairs, hoists, fall alarms, personal alarms, sensor mats |
| Social Support | Staying connected, reducing loneliness, maintaining wellbeing | Companion visits, social outings, community activities, telephone check-ins, daily AI companion calls |
| Gardening | Basic garden safety | Lawn mowing, weeding, clearing garden rubbish — not landscaping or extensive work |
What Cannot Be Covered By Your Package?
It is equally important to know what your funding cannot be used for. Spending package funds on ineligible items can create complications with your provider.
You cannot use your home care package for:
- Everyday living costs not related to your care needs — utilities, rent, mortgage, groceries (the food itself)
- Entertainment — television subscriptions, holidays, cinema tickets
- Home appliances — televisions, washing machines (unless directly linked to your care needs by a clinician)
- Services already funded by other government programmes — such as Medicare-covered services
- Residential aged care costs — the home care package is for in-home support only
- Services for other people in the home — it is funded for you specifically
- Cash payments — all services must be arranged through your approved provider
Common mistake families make
Some families try to use package funds for general home improvements like repainting, new carpets, or landscaping. These are not covered. Only modifications directly related to your safety and care needs — such as grab rails or ramps recommended by a clinician — are eligible.
Social Support and Companionship — A Often-Missed Spending Category
This is the category most families do not know about — and it is one of the most important.
Under the Support at Home programme, social support and companionship services are explicitly funded as Independence supports. This recognises what research has consistently shown: loneliness is one of the most serious health risks for elderly Australians.
Studies show that chronic loneliness in elderly people is associated with a 26% increased risk of premature death — comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes per day.
What social support funding can cover:
- Regular companion visits — a carer or volunteer comes to your home for social connection
- Escorted community outings — transport and accompaniment to activities or events
- Phone-based check-ins and companionship — daily calls to check on wellbeing and provide conversation
- Community programmes — group activities, exercise classes, social groups
- Technology that supports social connection — including AI companion services
This is where a service like CareCob becomes relevant to home care services and package holders. CareCob's AI companion Grace calls your elderly loved one every day on their regular phone — they just answer like a normal call. Grace checks how they are feeling, provides friendly conversation, and sends a daily update to your family. For elderly Australians who live alone or who feel socially isolated between carer visits, this kind of daily contact is exactly what social support funding is designed for.
CareCob and home care packages:
CareCob is an approved technology service that can be used as part of a social support plan under Australian home care packages and Support at Home. Speak to your package provider about including CareCob in your care plan — or start a free trial at carecob.com.au to see if it suits your loved one before discussing with your provider.
How Does Funding Work Under Support at Home in 2026?
Since 1 November 2025, the funding structure has changed from the old 4-level Home Care Package system.
| Service Type | Government Funding | Your Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical care | 100% funded | Nothing — you pay zero for nursing and allied health |
| Independence support | Partial — based on income | Percentage based on your income and assets assessment |
| Everyday living | Partial — based on income | Percentage based on your income and assets assessment |
| Personal care (from Oct 2026) | 100% funded | Nothing — free from 1 October 2026 |
Full pensioners pay the lowest contributions. Self-funded retirees who are not eligible for a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card pay the highest. To work out your specific contribution, visit myagedcare.gov.au and use the Support at Home fee estimator.
How To Maximise Your Package Funding
Many families do not use their full package allocation. Here are practical steps to make sure every dollar works for your loved one.
Step 1 — Review your care plan every 6 months
Your needs change over time. What you needed 12 months ago may be different now. Request a reassessment through My Aged Care if your circumstances have changed — you may be eligible for a higher level of support.
Step 2 — Ask your provider about every eligible category
Many families only use their package for personal care and cleaning. Ask your provider specifically: 'Are there social support or companionship services I can add to my care plan?' Some providers do not proactively suggest these options.
Step 3 — Understand provider fees
Under Support at Home, providers must be transparent about their fees. Ask your provider for a written breakdown of all management and administration fees — these come out of your funding and reduce what is available for direct services.
Step 4 — Consider technology as part of your plan
Daily monitoring, medication reminders, and regular check-ins do not always require a human visit. Technology services — including daily AI phone check-ins — can supplement in-person care at a fraction of the cost, stretching your package further.
Step 5 — Don't let unspent funds sit idle
Under Support at Home, unspent funds remain in your package and can be used in future periods. However, sitting on large unspent balances means your loved one is not receiving the support they are entitled to. Review spending monthly.
How to Apply for a Home Care Package (Support at Home)
If your elderly parent is not yet on a package, here is the process:
- Call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or apply online at myagedcare.gov.au to register — Step 1
- An assessor from the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) will contact you to arrange an assessment — usually at your home — Step 2
- The assessor determines your care needs and recommends a support level — Step 3
- If approved, you will receive a letter and can begin choosing a service provider — Step 4
- Work with your chosen provider to develop a care plan and start receiving services — Step 5
Wait times depend on your priority category and your location. While waiting, you may be eligible for interim support through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP). Contact My Aged Care to discuss interim options. To learn how home care packages work and what to expect after approval, visit our home care packages page.
Daily Phone Check-ins — How CareCob Fits Into Your Care Plan
One of the most common concerns we hear from Australian families is this: 'Mum lives alone. Between her carer visits, how do we know she is okay?'
This is exactly the gap that CareCob was built to fill.
CareCob's AI companion Grace calls your elderly loved one every day — at whatever time suits them. They just answer the phone like a normal call. Grace checks how they are feeling, reminds them about medications, and has a friendly conversation. Your family receives a daily update via SMS so you always know they are alright.
No app. No screen. No technology for your parent to learn. Grace just calls.
| Without CareCob | With CareCob |
|---|---|
| Family worries between carer visits | Family gets daily SMS update — peace of mind every morning |
| Medication reminders are inconsistent | Grace reminds your loved one about medications every day |
| Elderly parent feels lonely between visits | Daily friendly conversation — reduces isolation |
| No early warning system for changes in health | Grace notices mood changes and flags concerns to family |
| Family calls constantly to check in — stressful for both | One daily call from Grace — one SMS to family. Done. |
CareCob plans start from $59 AUD per month. A free 30-minute trial is available — your first 30 minutes are on us. Start your free trial at carecob.com.au — or speak to your home care package provider about including CareCob as part of your social support plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my home care package to pay for companionship services?▼
Yes. Under the Support at Home programme, social support and companionship is an approved spending category under Independence supports. This includes companion visits, escorted outings, and daily phone-based check-in services. Speak to your package provider about including companionship in your care plan.
Does my home care package cover daily phone check-ins for my elderly parent?▼
Yes. Daily telephone check-in services and AI companion services like CareCob are considered social support technology under Support at Home. Your provider can include these in your care plan. CareCob charges from $59 AUD per month and offers a free 30-minute trial at carecob.com.au. See how it works for families using daily check-ins.
What happens to my home care package under the new Support at Home programme?▼
From 1 November 2025, Australia moved to the new Support at Home programme. If you already had a Home Care Package, you were automatically transitioned. The main changes are: clinical care is now 100% government funded, and personal care will be 100% funded from October 2026. Most eligible spending remains the same.
Can I use my package to buy equipment like a hospital bed or walking frame?▼
Yes. Assistive technology and equipment such as hospital-style beds, walking frames, wheelchairs, and fall alarms can be funded through your package, provided they are clinically recommended and linked to your assessed care needs.
What are provider fees and how do they affect my package?▼
Providers charge management and administration fees that come out of your package funding, reducing what is available for direct services. Under Support at Home, providers must be transparent about their fees. Always ask for a written breakdown before choosing a provider.
Can I use my home care package for meal delivery?▼
Yes, but only for the preparation and delivery costs — not the food itself. The cost of ingredients and groceries is not covered. Meal preparation at home by a care worker and meal delivery services are both eligible.
What is the My Aged Care phone number for enquiries?▼
You can contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 (free call) Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm and Saturday 10am to 2pm AEDT. You can also visit myagedcare.gov.au to register, apply for an assessment, or find a provider.
Daily Phone Check-ins for Your Home Care Package
CareCob's AI companion Grace calls your elderly loved one every day — they just answer the phone. Daily SMS updates for your family. Plans from $59 AUD per month with a free 30-minute trial.