Home Care Packages Reform

In the 2015 Budget, the Australian Government committed $73.7 million over four years to change the way home care services are delivered to older Australians.

From February 2017, Australians receiving home care packages will not only be able to choose their service provider but will also have the flexibility to change their provider if desired.

These changes will increase competition, which in turn will lead to enhanced quality and innovation of the services provided. The red tape and regulation for providers will also be reduced.

When the changes come into effect, providers will no longer be required to apply for home care places through the Aged Care Approvals Round which will make the process significantly faster and easier.

These changes have been designed to improve the way that home care services are delivered to older Australians. They will build on the current CDC (Consumer Directed Care) model that was introduced in July last year.

Consumer Directed Care gives consumers greater choice over their own loves by allowing them to decide what types of care and services they access and how those services are delivered. It also allows home care package providers to be care facilitators and work in partnership with the consumer to co-produce their care plan.

Ultimately, consumers will have a stronger voice when working with their home care package provider.

CDC also provides much greater transparency to consumers when it comes to what funding is available under their home care package. Details of how the funds are spent will be documented through the use of an individualised budget and monthly statement.

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