About Home Care
Support to stay comfortable and independent in your own home
On this page:
Growing older is a natural part of life. As we age, it can be harder to do things around the house that used to be easy.
If you need a little extra help with your daily routine—or a parent or loved one needs some help—you can ask for support to help you in your home. This is called Home Care (also called ‘in-home support’, ‘care support’, or ‘in-home care’).
Asking for this kind of help can feel overwhelming. Or it can feel like you aren’t in control anymore. With the right approach, it’s the opposite: you can live happier in your own home, for longer, with the things you need to be comfortable.
We know it’s important to stay in the comfort and familiarity of your own home and keep connected with your community—even if you need more care over time.
Need support with Home Care?
Call for a friendly chat:
Need support with Home Care?
Call for a friendly chat:, call now:
13 22 78
Understand your options or get your questions answered. We can help at any stage of the process and you have no obligations at any point.
What kind of support or care is available?
Everyone’s routine and lifestyle at home looks different. That’s why there are many ways we can help, depending on what you want or might need support with.
Staying independent throughout your day:
- Help with grocery shopping
- Making meals and washing up
- Getting to your appointments
- Helping with getting dressed, showering or going to the bathroom
- Help to move around your home easier or safer
- Suggestions to make your home safer or easier to live in.
Help around the house:
- General cleaning or tidying up
- Doing the washing
- Changing bed linen.
Staying well-connected:
- Help to catch up easily with friends or family
- Support to enjoy or discover hobbies, like arts and crafts, gardening or music
- Getting involved with social support groups
- In-home respite: in some situations, where partners or family are caring for someone at home, it can be helpful to get a break from care responsibilities. In-home respite means a qualified carer will come and help out at home, so partners and loved ones can relax or recharge however they need.
Health and wellness:
- Help to take your medication on schedule
- Support through illness or recovery from an injury
- Home visits by qualified healthcare professionals, like physiotherapists or podiatrists.
Hear from happy customers
Baptcare’s carers can help you retain your independence at home while assisting you with your day to day life. For Matteo, this includes assistance with cleaning, gardening and maintenance.
How do I get access to government support for Home Care?
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Step 1.
Complete an ACAS assessment
This is a government process to understand your needs and check if you can get funding for Home Care. The assessment takes about 90 minutes on the phone, or may take place at your home. Our friendly team can answer all your questions about the ACAS assessment beforehand, or provide free guidance to help you get the best care for your needs. Call 13 22 78 for free coaching and support.
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Step 2.
Chat through your options
You will get the result of your ACAS assessment in 2-6 weeks. The most common types of funding that people get from an ACAS assessment is either a ‘Home Care Package’ or access to the ‘Commonwealth Home Support Programme’. You can learn more about payment and funding for Home Care here. Whatever the result of your assessment, and the type of funding you can access, you have options. Call 13 22 78 to chat through your options.
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Step 3.
If you are approved for a Home Care Package, you’ll join a priority government wait list
Your position in this list is based on your needs, your situation, and other circumstances. The wait time to access your Home Care Package is different for everyone: it can be anywhere from 1-9 months. During your waiting period, we can help. Call 13 22 78 for support.
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Step 4.
Receiving a letter when your package is ready
You will receive a letter from My Aged Care—which is part of the government—when your package is allocated. Once you receive this letter, you have a 56-day period to choose a provider for Home Care, like Baptcare. Call 13 22 78 for a chat if you have questions.
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Step 5.
Research different providers to find the right care for you
Care providers can offer different services, and they all have different fee schedules or prices. It’s worth looking at your options to get the most out of your funding. The most important thing is to find the very best care for you, and to partner with a trusted provider. Call 13 22 78 to talk about the things you should look for when choosing a provider.
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Step 6.
Choose a provider and discuss your options at home
If you choose Baptcare, we will visit you and your family at home to chat through things in detail. This takes about two hours and is a free, complimentary visit. Call 13 22 78 if you have questions.
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Step 7.
Develop your care plan and start getting support
Once you choose Baptcare, our Care Consultant will visit your home to plan your services. Once your plan is completed you will begin receiving your services.
How much does Home Care cost?
Many people can access funding from the Australian Government for Home Care services. The level of funding you can access will depend on your personal situation. You can visit this page to learn more about costs and funding options for Home Care.
“I'm so grateful we've got Baptcare Home Care. I don't know what my husband and I would do without it.”
Lynette
Baptcare Home Care customer
Our approach is backed by leading world-class research
Baptcare works with research partners to ensure our aged care services are informed by the latest evidence from Australia and around the world.
These research findings ensure you can trust in evidence-based best practice, and the very best care for you and your loved ones.
Frequently asked questions
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If you have a home care package with another provider you can transfer to Baptcare at anytime. Call the team at Baptcare on 13 22 78 to discuss your options. We’ll talk you through the steps and answer any questions you may have.
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Our personal care workers have a Certificate III in Home and Community Care or a Certificate III in Aged Care. Our care workers are required to have a current police check. They must also hold an Australian drivers licence, and first aid training. They also receive on-going training and regular performance reviews to ensure your care needs are met.
If your care worker is driving you to a an appointment, we require that their car is roadworthy and insured.
Our home care packages are usually delivered by people employed directly by Baptcare. If that’s not possible we have local partners who meet our quality and accreditation requirements deliver services for your home care package.
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Where possible we’ll provide you with support services and care in your preferred language.
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The income-tested care fee is an extra contribution that some people pay. This fee is determined by your Centrelink aged care assessment, and it’s different for everyone. The fee is based on your individual income, including your pension. Full pensioners do not pay an income-tested care fee.
For more information about pricing and funding options for Home Care, see this page on understanding the costs of Home Care.
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The basic daily fee is set by the government at a percentage of the single basic age pension. This fee varies depending on your Home Care Package level. Baptcare does not charge the basic daily fee.
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The cost of a Home Care Package is based on:
- how much the Australian Government pays (the subsidy)
- how much you may need to pay (Home Care fees payable by you, such as the income tested care fee).
The subsidy the Australian Government pays varies according to the level of Home Care Package you receive. This amount is paid to Baptcare as your Home Care Provider.
As part of your Home Care Package services, you may be expected to contribute to the cost of your care and services if they exceed your individual budget. You can find out more by calling Baptcare on 13 22 78.
For more information about pricing and funding options for Home Care, see this page on understanding the costs of Home Care.
Still have questions?
If you have any questions about Home care — we’re always here and happy to help. Call our friendly team on 13 22 78.
Prefer to chat with someone?
Understand your options and get your questions answered with an obligation free chat. We can support you at any stage of the process.
Get in touch about Home Care
