• Your Side
  • SECTOR SUPPORT
  • 1300 134 332
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Provider of My Aged Care services for in-home care and support for seniors, their families and carers across Sydney

Frequently asked questions

What is a Home Care Package?  

A Home Care Package (HCP) is government funding available to senior Australians to help them access a wide range of services for in-home support. A Home Care Package can help you stay independent and safe, so you can participate in your community and lead the life you want to live. 

Who is eligible for a Home Care Package?

You are eligible if you are: 

  • Aged 65 and over (50 and over if you identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander)  
  • Need coordinated care and support to remain living in your own home 
  • Living with a disability, dementia or other special needs that cannot be met through other specialist services. 

 To receive a Home Care Package, you will need to be assessed by the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) to determine your eligibility. 

What type of services can I get using my Home Care Package funds?  

At Your Side, we work with you to create a Support Plan that is tailored to your individual needs.  There’s a range of services that you can choose from. 

With your Home Care Package, you will have access to services such as: 

  • Personal care 
  • Domestic assistance 
  • Allied Health (such as Nursing, Physiotherapy or Podiatry services).  
  • Transport and assistance accessing your community 
  • Provision of equipment and aids 
  • Meal delivery and meal preparation 
  • Home modifications 

You can read about all the services you can access using your Home Care Package by clicking the button below.

View Services

I don’t have a Home Care Package and want to apply for one. Where do I start? 

  1. Call Your Side on 1300 134 332 to speak with one of our friendly Aged Care Support Specialists who will guide you through the process. 
  2. Call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 to register. If My Aged Care decide you are eligible for a Home Care Package, they will refer you to the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT). 
  3. ACAT will call you to arrange a suitable day and time for a comprehensive in-home assessment to determine which package level you are eligible for. 
  4. After your assessment you will be placed on a national waitlist until you are assigned a package. 
  5. Your Side will work with you to customise your package to meet your care needs and provide you all the support you need under one roof.

I’m not eligible for government funding, can I still access home care services? 

At Your Side, you can pay for home care services privately, which means you cover the cost instead of relying on government subsidies. We’ll discuss your needs and create a personal Support Plan that works for you.  

For more details, please contact our Aged Care support specialists on 1300 134 332.  

How much funding is available for Home Care Packages?

The government provides funding through Home Care Packages to help cover the cost of care services. The funding amount depends on the level of support you need. If you need more care, you’ll receive more funding. These packages are personalised to suit each person’s unique requirements.

There are four levels of Home Care Packages, and each offers a different amount of government funding per fortnight:

  1. Level 1 – For basic support needs – approximately $409.92
  2. Level 2 – For low-level care needs –  approximately $720.86
  3. Level 3 – For intermediate care needs – approximately $1,568.98
  4. Level 4 – For high-level care needs – approximately $2,378.60

You’ll be assessed to find out which level fits your needs. The funding from your package is then used to access services through an approved provider.

If you’d like to understand more about funding and fees, visit our Funding and Fees page.

Do I have to pay anything out of pocket for a Home Care Package?

Depending on your financial situation, Centrelink (through Services Australia) will assess how much you need to contribute toward your Home Care Package. This contribution is called the Income Tested Care Fee (ITCF). 

  • Part Pensioners / Self-Funded Retirees: If you are a part pensioner or self-funded retiree, the ITCF will determine how much contribution you must make toward your care support. The fee is income and asset-tested and applies regardless of which provider you choose for your Home Care Package. 
  • Full Pensioners: If you receive a full pension, you do not have to pay any out-of-pocket fees. 

 Please note that Your Side does not control the ITCF or how it is calculated.  

To learn more or to discuss your specific circumstances, please contact Services Australia at 1800 227 475.

My letter from My Aged Care says I have to pay a Basic Daily Care Fee. What is it, and do I have to pay it?

The Basic Daily Care Fee helps cover day-to-day support costs. However, at Your Side, we usually waive this fee and do not ask clients to pay it. If your Home Care Package funds aren’t enough to cover your care needs, we’ll first explore all other options and apply for any available extra funding before asking you to pay any additional costs. 

What happens to my funding when I go away from home? 

If you are going away for holidays or medical treatment, it is important to notify the provider with as much notice as possible. Your package will remain on hold for the duration of your leave period. We cannot deliver services whilst your package is on hold. 

What are the benefits of having a Home Care Package with Your Side?  

Experience and Expertise

Our experienced Care Consultants are experts in the complex aged care system. They know how to maximise your budget to get you the most out of the funding. Your Care Consultant will check in with you regularly to update and adapt your plan so you have the right support as your needs change.

Wellbeing and Goals

Our Total Care model means we learn about your goals and interests, lifestyle, mental health wellness and physical capabilities, and the people in your social network. With this understanding, we create a tailored Support Plan that is right for you.

Flexibility and Choice

We empower you to make decisions about the services you receive and who delivers them. We have partnerships with over 100 service providers, giving you access to a combined workforce of over 700 support and care workers who span over 100 cultural, linguistic, and faith types. If you feel more comfortable with workers who can talk in your language, or have knowledge of your culture and customs, we will aim to accommodate your preferences.

Time Management

We handle all the legwork of organising your aged care at home. We manage your budget, make sure compliances are met, monitor service delivery and quality, and manage all the administration, so you can focus on living your best life.

How do I switch from my current provider to Your Side? 

You can decide which aged care provider is the right one for you. There is a tool called Compare Providers on the My Aged Care website that can help you.  

  1. Call Your Side on 1300 134 332 and let us know that you are interested in changing Home Care Providers. Our Aged Care Support Specialists can help you with the next steps.  
  2. Contact your current provider to find out their policy on exiting and agree on an end date for your HCP with them. 
  3. Call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 and inform them that you are seeking to change providers, they will give you a new code to give to your chosen provider. 
  4. Call Your Side and our Aged Care Support Specialist will arrange to do a free home visit to create a current Support Plan for you. 
  5. The Aged Care Support Specialist will send you the budget forecast, Support Plan and a Home Care Package Agreement for you to sign and begin your services with Your Side.