What's not included in your HCP package?
When you receive a Home Care Package, there are rules about what kind of supports can and cannot be paid for, which are referred to as package inclusions and exclusions. The main purpose of your Home Care Package is to enable you to live longer in the comfort of your own home.
Registered Home Care
Package Provider
Sometimes, things can be excluded from the funding
The general reasons include:
The following services or items are outside of the Home Care Package program eligibility.
The Department of Health provide some guidance on approved spending and have given us some further feedback on particular services and items that the home care packages cannot pay for.
Select an option below to learn more about the services you could use your funding for.
General Income Expenses
Accommodation and Utilities Costs
Goods and Services covered by other Government Schemes
Income, Debit Cards and HCP Fees
Employing Family and Friends
Food and Meal Services
General Income Expenses
Items that everyone, regardless of age, would be expected to pay for are excluded from the Home Care Package program. These include the following:
- Food (except as part of enteral feeding requirements listed as being for special medical purposes)
- Household furniture and furnishings
- Replacement, maintenance, servicing and cleaning of water tanks, solar panels, fencing, roofs, heating/cooling systems, hot water systems, swimming pools
- Whitegoods and electrical appliances (some exceptions apply)
- Lounge suites and recliners (some exceptions apply)
- General household furniture, such as coffee tables, wardrobes, bookshelves etc.
- Massage chairs
- Mattresses and bed frames (some exceptions apply)
- Local transit costs of public transportation, including buses, trains, ferries
- Funeral plans and associated costs, life insurance costs
- Pet care and associated costs, including pet food, pet registration, cremation and taxidermy
- Beauty therapy (e.g. manicures) and hairdressing
- Cost of entertainment activities, such as club memberships, tickets to events
- Travel and accommodation for holidays
- Supplies to participate in activities, e.g. gardening, arts and crafts
- Solicitor or accountant fees
- Gym or pool membership or access costs (some exceptions apply)
- Private transport including vehicle insurance, registration, repairs and petrol
If in doubt, just ask us your Co-Care Partner and we’ll happily provide guidance.
PlanCare always takes a common sense approach to whats included/excluded from a Home Care Package funding.
Some items may require supporting evidence
There are times when further supporting evidence will be required to support the purchase of an item. This can include an Occupational Therapists report and is generally required for larger capital, higher cost items. In this instance the cost of the OT report can come from your funding.
If in doubt, it is better to ask your Co-Care Partner first who can guide on whether or not an OT report is necessary.
We understand that sometimes there are very exceptional circumstances that warrant special consideration so it’s best to speak to us to confirm. If you want to know about a specific service, feel free to give us a call on 1800 024 000