Many clients tell me the fees charged by their Aged Care Provider are unreasonable. So how can you tell if you’re paying a fair price for aged care, and how can you avoid being overcharged?
A better question might be: what services are you getting for the fees you pay, and are those services meeting your needs?
Understanding Home Care Package Fees
Under the current Home Care Package system, fees vary widely depending on the provider. Here’s a breakdown of typical weekly provider fees:
| Home Care Package Level | Lowest on Market (10%) | Highest on Market (35%) |
| Level 1 | $20 | $71 |
| Level 2 | $36 | $125 |
| Level 3 | $78 | $273 |
| Level 4 | $124 | $434 |
- Lowest Fees: Typically relate to self-managed Home Care Packages. These providers charge less because they offer limited support. You need to handle much of the coordination yourself, and it can be harder to reach someone when you need help.
- Highest Fees: Typically relate to fully managed providers. If you’re paying at this level, you should expect comprehensive support, frequent contact, and be able to access help when needed.
Are You Paying a Fair Price for Aged Care?
If you’re paying high fees but not getting enough support or communication, you may be overpaying. On the other hand, if you’re paying lower fees but feel you need more help, its worth considering a provider that offers more services for a higher fee.
Your Options if You’re Unhappy
If you’re not satisfied with your provider or the fees they charge, you have options:
- Raise a complaint: With your provider, or with the Regulator (check out my e-book for great tips on how to do this effectively).
- Change providers: You can switch to a different provider without any financial penalties.
What’s Changing with Support at Home?
Starting July 1, 2025, provider fees for care management will be set at 10% of your funding, whether you self-manage or not.
However, providers will be able to add administrative costs to the hourly rates they charge for other care services. This means that the real difference in value will come down to the hourly service rates, so check their rates when comparing providers!
If you’d like to learn more about provider fees or need help navigating aged care, give us a call.