Wondering what your Aged Care Package can cover? This guide lists all approved expenses from nursing care to home safety upgrades so you can plan wisely. Your Aged Care Package is government funded support designed to help seniors live more comfortably and independently. These packages provide financial assistance for essential care services tailored to your individual needs.
It’s important to understand the difference between the main types of aged care support. Home Care Packages are for seniors who need assistance but want to remain living in their own homes, covering services like personal care and household help.
Residential Aged Care is for those who need more comprehensive support and choose to live in a care facility with round the clock assistance. This article focuses on all the approved expenses you can claim under your Aged Care Package, whether you’re receiving care at home or in a facility.
Complete Alphabetical Expense Tables
APPROVED Expenses
- Allied health services (physio, podiatry, speech therapy)
- Cleaning and housekeeping
- Companionship and emotional support
- Continence aids (pads, catheters)
- Dementia care support
- Equipment (walkers, wheelchairs, shower chairs)
- Gardening and lawn mowing
- Home modifications (ramps, grab rails)
- Home maintenance (repairs, gutter cleaning)
- Meal preparation and special diets
- Medication management
- Mobility aids (walking frames, scooters)
- Nursing care (wound care, injections)
- Personal care (bathing, dressing, grooming)
- Respite care (short-term carer relief)
- Social activities and community outings
- Transport (medical trips, shopping)
- Technology (alarms, virtual health monitoring)
NOT APPROVED Expenses
- Club memberships or event tickets
- Entertainment (TVs, holidays, dining out)
- Gambling
- General living costs (rent, groceries, bills)
- Gifts or cash payments
- Home purchases or mortgages
- Non-care-related electronics
- Services already covered by Medicare
Detailed Breakdown of Approved Expenses
1. Allied Health Services
Professional therapy services to maintain mobility, foot health, and communication skills. This includes physiotherapy for pain management and movement, podiatry for foot care, and speech therapy for swallowing or communication difficulties.
Why it matters: These specialist services help you stay mobile, reduce pain, and maintain independence in daily activities. They’re crucial for managing age-related health conditions safely at home.
2. Cleaning and Housekeeping
Help with household tasks like vacuuming, mopping floors, dusting, and general home cleaning. Also includes laundry services and changing bed linens.
Why it matters: Maintaining a clean living environment prevents health risks and makes daily life more comfortable, especially when mobility is limited.
3. Companionship and Emotional Support
Regular social visits from care workers to chat, play games, or accompany you on outings. Includes mental health support and conversation.
Why it matters: Social connection reduces loneliness and depression, which are common concerns for seniors living alone.
4. Continence Aids
Provision and assistance with disposable pads, absorbent aids, catheters, bed protectors, and other continence management products.
Why it matters: Proper continence management maintains dignity, prevents skin problems, and reduces infection risks.
5. Dementia Care Support
Specialized care including memory stimulation activities, safety supervision, and tailored communication approaches. May include sensory therapies like music.
Why it matters: Dedicated dementia care helps maintain cognitive function longer and ensures safety for those with memory loss.
6. Equipment (Walkers, Wheelchairs, Shower Chairs)
Mobility and daily living aids including walking frames, rollators, wheelchairs, shower commodes, and toilet seat raisers.
Why it matters: The right equipment prevents falls, conserves energy, and helps you manage personal care independently.
7. Gardening and Lawn Mowing
Basic garden maintenance including mowing, weeding, pruning, and light yard work to keep outdoor areas safe and accessible.
Why it matters: Maintaining outdoor spaces prevents trip hazards and allows you to enjoy your garden safely.
8. Home Modifications (Ramps, Grab Rails)
Installation of safety features like handrails, ramps, stairlifts, and bathroom grab bars. Includes non-slip flooring and walk-in showers.
Why it matters: These modifications prevent accidents and help you move around your home confidently as mobility changes.
9. Home Maintenance
Essential upkeep like fixing leaky taps, replacing light bulbs, cleaning gutters, and other minor home repairs.
Why it matters: Timely maintenance prevents small problems becoming safety hazards or expensive repairs.
10.Meal Preparation and Special Diets
Help with cooking nutritious meals, including pureed or texture-modified foods if needed. Covers special dietary requirements for health conditions.
Why it matters: Proper nutrition maintains strength and health, while adapted meals ensure safe eating for those with swallowing difficulties.
11.Medication Management
Professional assistance with organizing, dispensing, and administering medications. Includes blister packing, reminders, and monitoring for side effects.
Why it matters: Proper medication management ensures you take the right doses at the right times, preventing dangerous mistakes and hospitalizations.
12.Mobility Aids (Walking Frames, Scooters)
Provision and maintenance of devices like four-wheel walkers, mobility scooters, and transfer aids to help you move around safely.
Why it matters: Quality mobility aids maintain your independence and reduce fall risks when moving around your home or community.
13.Nursing Care (Wound Care, Injections)
Skilled nursing services including wound dressing, catheter care, injections, and health monitoring by registered nurses.
Why it matters: Professional nursing prevents complications and ensures medical needs are met without requiring hospital visits.
14.Personal Care (Bathing, Dressing, Grooming)
Hands-on assistance with daily hygiene routines like showering, brushing teeth, hair care, shaving, and getting dressed.
Why it matters: Maintaining personal hygiene prevents infections and helps you feel confident while preserving dignity.
15.Respite Care (Short-Term Carer Relief)
Temporary care services that give your regular carers a break, either in-home or through short facility stays.
Why it matters: Respite prevents carer burnout and ensures you continue receiving quality care from refreshed support workers.
16.Social Activities and Community Outings
Support to attend clubs, religious services, or social events, including transport and companionship during activities.
Why it matters: Social engagement maintains mental wellbeing and prevents isolation that can lead to depression.
17.Transport (Medical Trips, Shopping)
Assistance getting to medical appointments, supermarkets, or pharmacies, including accessible vehicles if needed.
Why it matters: Reliable transport ensures you can access essential services and maintain independence without driving.
18.Technology (Alarms, Virtual Health Monitoring)
Safety devices like fall alarms, GPS trackers, and telehealth equipment for remote health checks with professionals.
Why it matters: These technologies provide emergency assistance and health monitoring while respecting your independence.
Pro Tips to Maximize Your Package
When asking “What Can I Spend My Aged Care Package On?”, remember these strategies to make the most of your funds:
Prioritize Urgent Needs First
Focus your initial funds on safety and health-critical services like:
- Home modifications (grab rails, ramps) to prevent falls
- Personal care if struggling with daily tasks
- Nursing support for chronic conditions
Why it works: Addressing immediate risks creates a safer foundation before adding lifestyle enhancements.
Bundle Services for Efficiency
Combine related services to stretch your budget:
- Use transport for both medical appointments and grocery trips
- Schedule personal care visits during meal prep times
- Pair social outings with errand runs
Why it works: Reduces duplicate travel costs and worker hours.
Choose Experienced Local Providers
Select providers in your area to:
- Minimize travel fees for care workers
- Access quicker emergency support when needed
- Benefit from their knowledge of local services and transport options
Why it works: Local providers often deliver more responsive and cost-effective care.
Review Your Plan Every 6 Months
Reassess with your provider to:
- Adjust services as needs change (e.g., less transport, more mobility aids)
- Reallocate unused funds (e.g., shift from gardening to nursing if health declines)
Why it works: Regular tweaks ensure funds always match your current needs.
Document Everything
Keep records of:
- Care plans and agreed services
- Receipts for approved purchases (e.g., equipment)
- Provider communications
Why it works: Protects you during audits and helps track spending.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you have the right to change your aged care provider if your current arrangement isn’t meeting your needs. When switching providers, any unspent funds in your package will be transferred to your new provider. The transition process typically takes a few weeks to complete. It’s recommended to discuss your plans with both providers to ensure a smooth handover of your care services and documentation.
The waiting time to receive an aged care package depends on several factors including your assessed care needs level and the availability of providers in your local area. While some people may receive their package within a few months, others might wait longer, particularly for higher levels of care.
While typical household appliances like refrigerators aren’t generally covered by Home Care Package funding, exceptions can be made for health-related needs. If a fridge is required for storing temperature-sensitive medications or managing special dietary requirements due to a medical condition, it may be approved as part of your care plan. Your care provider can help determine if this expense qualifies under your package guidelines.
Unused funds in your Home Care Package will remain in your account and roll over each month. These funds continue to be available for your approved care services and needs. However, it’s important to note that you cannot cash out these funds or use them for non-approved expenses. Your care provider can help you review your care plan to identify additional services or supports that might benefit you.
Home Care Package funds cannot be used to purchase general electronic devices like computers, laptops, or smartphones. The package also doesn’t cover ongoing costs such as internet connections or phone services.
If specialized technology is required for telehealth consultations or medical monitoring as part of your care plan, some exceptions may apply. Your care provider can advise if any technology expenses might qualify under your specific circumstances.
We are Here to Help
If you’re still wondering “What Can I Spend My Aged Care Package On?”, professional guidance can make all the difference. As an approved aged care provider, we offer personalised support to help you:
- Understand your funding options
- Create a care plan that matches your needs
- Maximize every dollar in your package
For expert advice on managing your aged care package, visit our website or Call Us to speak with our friendly team today.
