Skip to main content
Free Calculator

Home Care Package Calculator 2025

Estimate weekly care hours from Home Care Package funding levels, then test how hourly rates and provider fees change your usable budget.

Level 2 Funding

$18,622

Per year

Level 4 Funding

$61,826

Per year

Basic Daily Fee

$12.75/day

Reference fee

Income-Tested Fee

Up to $34.62/day

If applicable

How to Use This Calculator

  1. 1.Choose package level and fee scenario.
  2. 2.Set hourly and admin assumptions.
  3. 3.Review results and compare levels.

Reference

Levels: 1 to 4

Basis: Weekly budget after fees

Output: Estimated service hours

Disclaimer: This tool is for planning only. Final budgets depend on provider agreements and assessments.

Step 1 of 2HCP Planner

Inputs

How Home Care Package funding translates into weekly care hours

Home Care Package funding is published as an annual amount, but day-to-day planning works best in weekly terms. This calculator converts your selected package level into a weekly service budget after common fee deductions, then estimates care hours using your chosen hourly rate.

This gives families a practical view of what support may be achievable, rather than relying on headline funding amounts alone.

2025 package levels and what they usually mean in practice

In 2025, funding differs significantly across Levels 1 to 4, with Level 4 offering substantially higher annual support than Level 1 or Level 2. Because the same provider fee settings can produce very different weekly hour outcomes across levels, side-by-side comparison helps set realistic service expectations.

This is especially useful for families preparing for reassessment, interim package periods, or transitions from lower to higher support needs.

Why provider fees and hourly rates change your real budget

Two people on the same package level can receive different service hours depending on administration percentages and hourly pricing. Higher case management or admin fees reduce the portion of funding available for direct care, while higher hourly rates reduce total service hours from the same weekly budget.

This is why comparing providers on total fee structure, not only advertised service rate, is critical when selecting a Home Care Package provider.

Income-tested fee impact and scenario planning

If an income-tested care fee applies, available weekly budget for direct services can reduce before care delivery costs are calculated. Testing both scenarios, with and without income-tested fee, can help households prepare for cash-flow differences and service trade-offs.

This approach is helpful when planning personal care frequency, domestic support allocations, and allied health usage over time.

How to use these estimates in provider meetings and care planning

Bring your calculator outputs to provider discussions and ask for clear confirmation of case management percentages, package management charges, hourly rates by service type, and statement examples. Using the same assumptions across providers helps identify which option delivers better value and service continuity.

These estimates are for planning and comparison only, final charges come from your provider agreement and government assessment outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many hours per week can I get with a Level 2 Home Care Package?

A Level 2 package is funded at about $18,622 per year. In practical terms, weekly direct-service hours are calculated only after common deductions are applied.

These deductions can include:

  • Basic daily fee contributions
  • Any income-tested care fee that applies
  • Provider case management and admin charges

With typical assumptions, many households estimate around 4 to 5 hours per week, but your exact result depends on provider rates and service type.

What are the Home Care Package funding amounts for 2025?

For 2025, base annual funding amounts are:

  • Level 1: $10,588
  • Level 2: $18,622
  • Level 3: $40,675
  • Level 4: $61,826

These are not the same as your final direct-service budget. Actual available spending depends on deductions, provider fees, and your care plan.

How do provider administration fees affect available care hours?

Provider administration and case management fees reduce the amount left for direct services before hours are calculated.

That means two people with the same package level can receive very different weekly hours if fee percentages differ. Comparing full fee schedules, not just hourly service rates, is important when selecting a provider.

Do I always pay an income-tested care fee on Home Care Package funding?

No. Income-tested care fee is based on Services Australia assessment. Some people pay no income-tested fee, while others pay a contribution according to assessable income.

If it applies, it is deducted from the overall budget and reduces the amount available for direct care services.

Can I compare Level 1 to Level 4 outcomes with the same hourly rate?

Yes. This calculator includes a comparison table that applies the same hourly rate and fee assumptions across all four package levels.

That lets you isolate the impact of funding level, which is useful when planning reassessment requests, interim packages, or future care upgrades.

Find home care providers near you

Top suburbs by number of available providers.

New South Wales

Western Australia

Australian Capital Territory

Northern Territory

Call free