When talking about Government aged care services, many people associate it with nursing homes. However, residential aged care or ‘nursing homes’ represent less than 10% of the formal aged care system.
In fact, currently, the proportion of people within the aged care system can be broken up as follows:1
Over 1.1 million people accessed care in the home last year.
The most popular government-subsidised programs are the ‘Commonwealth Home Support Programme’ and ‘Home Care’ packages.
The Government’s Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) can provide ongoing or short-term care and support services including help with housework, personal care, meals and food preparation, transport, shopping, health and social support.
To access the CHSP, you need to have a home support assessment completed by a local assessor from a Regional Assessment Service (RAS). The RAS assessor will work with you to develop a support plan that reflects your entry-level aged care needs and preferences.
How to apply:
Cost
The services provided under this programme are subsidised by the Government and any fees charged are negotiated with the service provider. You don’t need to negotiate the subsidies. However, you may want to shop around as costs will vary between providers.
Arrangements to waive any fees can be made for people in financial hardship.
If you have more complex care needs at home, you may be eligible for a government-subsidised Home Care package. An Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) will assess your Home Care package needs. In Victoria, this is called Aged Care Assessment Services (ACAS). There are four levels of Home Care Packages to meet an individual’s care needs ranging from basic to high.
As part of this tailored package, you can receive coordinated services such as:
How to apply
Long wait times Generally, the wait time for someone to enter a Level 1 package (the lowest level) is 3–6 months, but for all other levels the wait can be more than 12 months.2 Under the National Prioritisation System (NPS) places are allocated based on peoples’ individual needs and circumstances and when they were assessed. For instance, someone with less family support may be prioritised over someone with more family support even if they applied later. |
Cost
The cost of the Home Care package will vary depending on the package level and your loved one’s income. An income-tested fee may apply which can be as high as $30.86 per day. This means the cost of the Home Care package might be anywhere between $3,515 per year to $15,188 per year depending on your loved one’s income.
Package level | Client contribution (per day) | Government subsidy (pa) | |
Daily care fee | Income-tested fee | ||
Level 1 | $9.63 | $0 – $30.86 | $9,000 |
Level 2 | $10.19 | $0 – $30.86 | $15,750 |
Level 3 | $10.48 | $0 – $30.86 | $34,250 |
Level 4 | $10.75 | $0 – $30.86 | $52,000 |
The CHSP and Home Care Packages provide formal care in the home. However, care is also often provided more informally by family and friends. Many older people prefer to live with friends or family to receive care. It also makes it easier for the carer to provide help because they are living in their property.
Some people choose to formalise this living arrangement by entering a ‘granny flat arrangement’. granny flat arrangements are where a person, usually an elderly or disabled person, pays for a right to accommodation for the remainder of their life in another person’s property.
An upcoming incentive to formalise a granny flat arrangement is proposed to start in 2021. Currently, under the existing law, a capital gains tax (CGT) event occurs when a legally enforceable right, such as a granny flat right, is created. That means, any liability falls on the person who grants the right - usually a friend or family member. However, from 1 July 2021, a CGT exemption is likely to be introduced for formal, written granny flat arrangements. Given that the value of granny flat arrangements may be substantial, the potential liability for CGT can be significant and an exemption may be an incentive to enter a formal agreement which protects the rights of the person buying the granny flat right. The exemption will only apply to agreements between family members or between people with close personal ties.
People living in a granny flat arrangement can still receive formal care in the home such as CHSP and Home Care packages
Reasons to enter a granny flat arrangement People interested in creating a granny flat arrangement include those who:
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Australia’s aged care system comprises of a range of services, ranging from basic assistance in the home to full-time care in a residential aged care facility or nursing home. Whilst a proportion of aged care recipients receive residential aged care, most older Australians receiving some form of care receive this care in their own home including if they are in a granny flat arrangement.
If you or a loved one needs aged care support, please contact us to understand the options and the financial considerations.
1 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).
2 Department of Health 2019.
