Home Care Package · Level 1 of 4
Level 1 Home Care Package: Basic care needs
Level 1 Home Care Package suits older Australians with basic care needs – limited domestic help, occasional personal care + minor allied health input. It is the entry point into the HCP system for people whose needs are slightly above the CHSP threshold but well below the volume of services a higher-level package supports.
★Key takeaways
- ✓Level 1 Home Care Package: federal subsidy of ~$10,588/year paid by the Commonwealth to your provider (roughly $407/fortnight, $204/week).
- ✓Typical service volume: 2–3 hours of direct care per week – covering personal care, domestic help, nursing + allied health.
- ✓You pay the basic daily fee (17.5% of the single Age Pension, ~$12.75/day) and, if your income is above the threshold, an income-tested care fee capped at ~$36.04/day.
- ✓Care + package management fees combined are capped at 20% of the package value under the 2024–25 reforms. Exit fees are banned.
- ✓Gateway: ACAT assessment via My Aged Care (1800 200 422) – free, federally funded, conducted in your home.
Funding at a glance
Federal subsidy for Level 1
Annual subsidy
$10,588
paid to your provider, not to you
Fortnightly
$407
paid in arrears to provider
Direct care volume
2–3 hours
per week typical
Subsidy figures indexed twice yearly with the Age Pension by the Department of Health. Cross-check current rate at health.gov.au/our-work/home-care-packages-program/funding before any financial decision.
Who qualifies
ACAT eligibility for Level 1
ACAT assesses you as needing more than CHSP can provide (typically more than 4–5 hours/week of total support) but still operating mostly independently. Common Level 1 client profile: living alone, mostly independent in ADLs, occasional balance concerns or one chronic condition needing weekly monitoring.
Application steps
- Apply via My Aged Care online or 1800 200 422.
- Complete an ACAT in-home assessment (typically 4–6 weeks scheduled out).
- Receive your written approval letter with assigned level.
- Choose an HCP provider from myagedcare.gov.au.
- Sign the Home Care Agreement + Care Plan with your provider.
- Services commence once the package is assigned + activated.
What it covers
Typical services in a Level 1 care plan
- Cleaning + domestic assistance (1–2 visits/week)
- Occasional personal care help (showering, dressing)
- Allied health appointments (physio, podiatry, dietetics – typically monthly)
- Light social support + transport to appointments
- Minor home modifications or assistive technology (handrails, shower chair)
- Telehealth nursing check-ins
What it doesn't cover
- × Personal care more than ~1–2 hours/week
- × 24/7 nursing oversight (this is Level 4 territory)
- × Live-in or overnight support
- × Daily living expenses (food, rent, utilities)
- × Items covered by Medicare or the PBS
Sample weekly budget
How a Level 1 package gets spent
Indicative breakdown for a typical Level 1 care plan. Actual spend varies by provider hourly rates, location + your individual care plan. Total annual federal funding ~$10,588.
| Service component | Weekly cost |
|---|---|
| Domestic assistance (cleaning, 2 hrs/wk) | $130 |
| Personal care (1 hr/wk) | $75 |
| Allied health (physio, fortnightly) | $45 |
| Care + package management fee (20% cap) | $41 |
| Total weekly direct spend | $291 |
Hourly rates used: personal care ~$80/hr (varies $70–$110), domestic assistance ~$65/hr ($55–$80), nursing visit ~$130/hr, physiotherapy ~$120/visit. Provider rates published on individual provider websites; compare 2–3 quotes before signing the Home Care Agreement.
Transitioning between levels
If your needs change
Your care plan can be reviewed at any time by your provider, your treating clinician, your family or you. If needs grow beyond Level 1, request an ACAT reassessment through My Aged Care. The reassessment is free, in-home + can be triggered by anyone in your care circle.
- Reassessment takes ~2–4 weeks to schedule.
- Higher level is offered when available – interim period can use lower-level services.
- You can switch providers when changing levels – packages are fully portable.
Family caregiver considerations
For the family supporting the recipient
Level 1 is professional support – not a replacement for family caregiving. Families remain central to: care plan decisions, medication management, social companionship, end-of-life planning + advocacy when something isn't working.
- Free carer support: Carer Gateway 1800 422 737 + carer respite via residential respite.
- Carer Payment + Carer Allowance (Centrelink) if you provide substantial daily care.
- OPAN advocacy service: free, independent help if something goes wrong with the package. opan.org.au.
Common questions
Level 1 Home Care Package – common questions
How long is the wait for a Level 1 package?
Historically 1–3 months from approval to package commencement. Level 1 + 2 have had the shortest waits across all levels. Recent reform priorities have shortened the queue further; check current waiting times at <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/home-care-packages-program/data" class="text-[var(--vbrand)] underline">health.gov.au/our-work/home-care-packages-program/data</a>.
Can I keep my CHSP services after I get a Level 1 package?
Generally no – when your HCP starts your CHSP services typically stop because the HCP becomes your funding source. Some social-support groups + one-off services remain available. Confirm with your HCP provider before discontinuing CHSP.
What if my needs grow beyond Level 1?
Request a reassessment through My Aged Care. An ACAT delegate reviews your updated needs + can recommend a higher level package. Reassessments can be triggered by you, your provider, family or a treating clinician – they are free + can be done in your home.
Is Level 1 enough if I have early dementia?
Possibly for the early stage – particularly if a partner or family member provides additional support. As dementia progresses, most people transition to Level 3 or 4, with eventual consideration of residential placement. ACAT can reassess at any point.
What does a Level 1 provider actually do for me?
The provider holds the federal services contract + is responsible for safe, compliant care. They allocate funds against your care plan, organise individual support workers, ensure regulatory compliance + report to government. You direct the priorities; they coordinate the delivery. Provider quality matters – see our <a href="/care-type/home-care-package/" class="text-[var(--vbrand)] underline">HCP overview</a> on choosing a provider.
Compare across levels