How Much Does Home Care Cost in Australia? (2026 Guide)
- LHH Admin
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Introduction
If you’re looking into home care, one of the first questions is:
How much does it actually cost?
The answer isn’t as simple as a single number.
Most people receive government funding but what you actually get in services depends on:
your funding level
your provider’s pricing
and how your care is managed
This guide breaks it down clearly.
The simple answer
Most people receive between:
$10,731 and $78,106 per year in government-funded home care
But:
You don’t receive this as cash And you don’t get to spend all of it on care hours
The real value comes down to how that funding is used.
Support at Home funding levels (2026)
Each person is assigned a classification based on their needs.
Classification | Annual Funding |
Level 1 | $10,731 |
Level 2 | $16,034 |
Level 3 | $21,966 |
Level 4 | $29,696 |
Level 5 | $39,697 |
Level 6 | $48,114 |
Level 7 | $58,148 |
Level 8 | $78,106 |
These amounts are:
reviewed annually
paid to your provider
used to deliver your care
Where your money actually goes
This is the part most people don’t fully understand.
1. Care management (10%)
This covers:
planning your care
coordinating services
ongoing support
Across all providers today:
This sits at 10% of your budget
2. Service delivery (the real cost driver)
The majority of your funding goes to:
support workers
nursing
allied health
domestic assistance
But here’s the key:
Providers set their own hourly rates
And this is where the biggest differences occur.
3. Additional costs
Depending on your provider, you may also see:
meal preparation costs (with markups)
transport or taxi-related fees
equipment or assistive technology costs
third-party service charges
These can reduce how far your funding stretches.
What does that actually get you?
This is what most people really want to know.
Approximate weekly support (guide only)
Level | Typical Hours Per Week* |
Level 1 | 1–2 hours |
Level 2 | 2–3 hours |
Level 3 | 3–5 hours |
Level 4 | 5-8 hours |
These are indicative only. Actual hours vary depending on provider pricing, service mix, and how funding is used.
*Based on average pricing and after fees
The key point:
Your hours are determined more by pricing than by funding level alone
Why costs vary between providers
Even with the same funding level, your experience can differ significantly.
That’s because providers vary in:
hourly rates
efficiency
how services are packaged
how additional costs are applied
Two people with the same funding level can receive very different levels of support.
Can you pay privately?
Yes.
If your funding doesn’t cover everything you need:
you can pay privately for additional services
you can mix funded and private care
This is common, especially at lower funding levels.
What about unspent funds?
You can carry over:
up to $1,000
or 10% of your quarterly budget (whichever is greater)
These can be used later for:
additional services
equipment
higher support needs
The biggest misconception
Many people assume:
“My package level determines my care”
But in reality:
Your provider’s pricing and structure often matter more
What you should focus on instead
When comparing providers, don’t just ask:
“What level am I on?”
Ask:
What are your hourly rates?
How far will my funding go?
Are there additional charges?
How is my budget managed?
The key takeaway
Home care funding is only part of the picture.
The real question is not how much you receive—it’s how far it actually goes.
If you’re unsure how to compare costs across providers, Liz can help.
Liz helps you:
understand your funding
compare providers based on real value
find options that fit your situation
Local Home Help - www.localhomehelp.com.au
Comments