How much does in-home care cost?

What is in-home care?

In-home care supports older Australians who need help with daily tasks but wish to stay in their homes rather than move into residential care. Services can include personal care (like showering and dressing), help with household chores (like cleaning and preparing meals) and even nursing support.

In-home care aims to promote independence while ensuring comfort and safety. The costs of these services vary depending on the level of care needed, government subsidies and the care provider you choose.

How much is full-time in-home care?

Costs will depend primarily on whether you’re relying solely on a home care package or supplementing it with private care.

Full-time, round-the-clock care typically involves multiple carers working in shifts, which falls outside the scope of the government-subsidised home care package system. If 24/7 in-home care is needed, families typically need to look at private care options to cover the gap, which would include additional costs.

Key factors affecting how much 24/7 in-home care costs per month

The cost of in-home care can differ significantly from one person to another. Here are the main factors that affect how much you’ll pay:

1. Your care level

Home care packages are divided into four levels, each designed to suit different levels of care needs:

• Level 1 — Basic care needs (e.g., a few hours of support per week)
• Level 2 — Low-level care needs
• Level 3 — Intermediate care needs
• Level 4 — High-level care needs

The higher the care level, the more funding you receive from the government to cover services. For example, a Level 4 package offers $5,097 per month in subsidies, while a Level 1 package provides $878 per month.

Higher care levels allow you to access more support hours and services tailored to your specific needs, but it is essential to choose a provider who maximises the value of this funding.

2. Your income

The Australian government provides subsidies through home care packages, making in-home care more affordable. However, you may need to contribute to the cost of your care, depending on your income. This is called an income-tested care fee.

An income assessment (conducted by Services Australia or the Department of Veterans Affairs) determines whether you must pay this fee. You might qualify for additional government assistance if your income is below a certain threshold. This ensures that care remains accessible even for those with limited financial resources.

3. Your location

Where you live can influence costs. Some regions have higher provider fees or different wage rates for care workers, which can affect the cost of services like nursing or personal care. For example, urban areas may have slightly higher rates due to demand and operational costs, while rural areas could involve additional travel fees.

4. Care provider model

Traditional fully managed packages charge significantly higher fees for care and package management, leaving less funding for actual care services. However, Homecare My Way offers two care models — Self-Management and Self-Management Plus — that empower you to take control of your care while avoiding the higher costs of fully managed packages from traditional providers.

• Self-Management — You have full control over your care. You choose, hire and manage your service providers, with Homecare My Way assisting with compliance checks and offering support to maximise your care package. This option is ideal for those who want complete independence and lower fees.

• Self-Management Plus — A more supported option where Homecare My Way sets up and hires your service providers for you. Once everything is established, you take over day-to-day management. This is perfect for those who want help getting started but still want lower costs and more flexibility than fully managed care.

Breaking down the costs — why Homecare My Way gives you more care for less

Choosing a care provider is about making your funding go further. Homecare My Way’s self-managed models, Self and Self Plus, reduce fees and offer significantly more care hours than traditional providers. Here’s a breakdown of the key differences on a monthly basis at each level to help you understand how we deliver better value.

Level 1: More care from the start

Government subsidy: $878 per month (same for all providers).

Care management fees:

Traditional providers charge an average of $176, which is nearly double the $88 (Self) or $123 (Self Plus) charged by Homecare My Way.

Package management fees:

At $44, our fees are less than half the traditional average of $114.

Funds available for care services:

With lower fees, more of your subsidy is available for care:

• Homecare My Way (Self): $747
• Traditional providers (average): $589

Care hours provided:

• Homecare My Way (Self): 10 hours
• Traditional providers (average): 7 hours

That’s a difference of three additional care hours per month to support you or your loved ones.

Level 2: Affordable care as needs grow

Government subsidy: $1,545 per month (same for all providers).

Care management fees:

Traditional providers charge an average of $309, while Homecare My Way charges only $154 (Self) or $216 (Self Plus).

Package management fees:

We keep these fees low at $77, compared to the traditional average of $201.

Funds available for care services:

More funds for care services mean more flexibility:

• Homecare My Way (Self): $1,313
• Traditional providers (average): $1,035

Care hours provided:

• Homecare My Way (Self): 18 hours
• Traditional providers (average): 12 hours

That’s six extra care hours to help you maintain independence and well-being.

Level 3: Significant savings for higher care needs

Government subsidy: $3,362 per month (same for all providers).

Care management fees:

Traditional providers charge an average of $672, but Homecare My Way keeps costs to $336 (Self) or $471 (Self Plus).

Package management fees:

Our fees remain low at $168, compared to the traditional average of $437.

Funds available for care services:

• Homecare My Way (Self): $2,858
• Traditional providers (average): $2,253

Care hours provided:

• Homecare My Way (Self): 38 hours
• Traditional providers (average): 27 hours

That’s 11 extra hours of care per month, giving you much more value from your funding.

Level 4: Maximising care at the highest subsidy level

Government subsidy: $5,097 per month (same for all providers).

Care management fees:

Traditional providers charge an average of $1,019, while Homecare My Way’s fees are $510 (Self) or $714 (Self Plus).

Package management fees:

At $255, our fees are significantly lower than the traditional average of $663.

Funds available for care services:

• Homecare My Way (Self): $4,332
• Traditional providers (average): $3,415

Care hours provided:

• Homecare My Way (Self): 58 hours
• Traditional providers (average): 40 hours

That’s an impressive 18 extra care hours per month to support complex needs.

The Homecare My Way difference

With Homecare My Way, you can trust that your funding goes further, giving you more care, more flexibility and more value every month.

• Lower fees — We keep care and package management fees far below traditional providers, leaving you with more funds for services.
• More care hours — Across all levels, we consistently provide more care hours (anywhere from three to 18 extra hours per month) so you get the most from your subsidy.
• Flexible options — Whether you choose the fully self-managed model or the supported Self Plus option, Homecare My Way helps you tailor care to your unique needs.

Get started with Homecare My Way today

Understanding in-home care costs can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. If you’re ready to explore your care options or switch providers, we’re here to help. Contact us today to discuss your needs and find the best solution for you. Together, we can create a care plan that works for your lifestyle and budget!