Frequently asked questions
Home Care
Choosing home care is an important decision, and it's natural to have questions. We've answered some of the most common questions about Calvary Home Care, from services and costs to funding, support and care options. If you can't find the information you're looking for, our team is here to help.
About home care
Learn more about home care services, personalised support and whether it's the right choice for you.
Calvary Home Care supports you to live independently in your own home, with care that fits around your life. We provide personalised support for everyday living, health needs and wellbeing, whether you need a little help or more regular care.
Home care is suitable for older people over the age of 65 who want to remain living at home but need support with daily tasks, personal care, health needs or staying socially connected. It can also support family carers by providing extra help or respite.
Many people start home care when everyday tasks become harder, their health needs change, or carers need support. Home care doesn’t have to be a big decision; you can start small and adjust services as your needs change. The sooner you apply to receive support at home, the longer you’re able to remain independent at home.
Support at Home
Understand the Support at Home program, available services, funding options and how to access support.
Support at Home is the Australian Government’s in-home aged care program. It provides funding to help older Australians stay independent, safe and connected while receiving support in their own homes.
Support at Home replaces Home Care Packages and offers:
- Better streamlined access and assessment. The process of getting help at home is simpler and more coordinated. Instead of navigating multiple steps or repeating your story, there is one clearer assessment process that looks at your needs as a whole. This means less paperwork and fewer delays, clearer decisions about what support you’re eligible for, and getting the right services sooner, without unnecessary complexity.
- Greater flexibility. Support at Home gives you more choice and control over how your funded care is used. Your support can be adjusted more easily to suit your lifestyle, priorities, and changing needs. For individuals, this means you can start with a small amount of care and increase it over time, services can be changed if something isn’t working for you, and your care fits around your life, rather than fitting into a rigid package.
- Clearer information about pricing and contributions. Support at Home makes it easier to understand what services cost and what you’re expected to contribute. Prices are more transparent, and costs are broken down by service type. This means you can clearly see what you’re paying for, no unexpected or hidden fees, and better ability to plan and manage your budget with confidence.
- Funding that reflects your needs. Instead of a broad package level, Support at Home funding is based on your individual needs and the types of services you require. This means your funding matches the level of support you actually need, people with higher needs receive higher levels of funding, and your care can be adjusted as your health or circumstances change.
- Simpler reviews and adjustments. If your needs increase or decrease, your services can be adjusted more quickly. This means less stress and fewer reassessments, and ensures your care stays relevant as your life changes.
- Fairer contributions based on the services you receive. Clinical care (such as nursing) is fully funded by the Australian Government. Independence services may require a small contribution, and everyday living services usually involve a higher contribution, depending on your income. This ensures essential health care remains accessible, while giving you choice over additional support.
Yes. Our Home Care team can arrange a free telephone call to explain how the Support at Home program works, what you’re eligible for, and help guide you through the assessment process.
Funding, costs and contributions
Learn how Support at Home funding works, your contributions, and the support available to help manage costs.
If you’re eligible, you’ll be assigned one of eight ongoing funding classifications. The cost of home care depends on:
- the services you choose
- how often you receive care
- whether your care is government-funded or privately arranged
Calvary is transparent about pricing, with competitive hourly rates, no hidden fees, and no basic daily fees.
Your contribution depends on your income and the type of services you receive:
- Clinical services are fully funded
- Independence services are partly funded
- Everyday living services usually require a higher contribution
You only pay for services you use.
No. If you were approved for a Home Care Package before 12 September 2024, a no-worse-off guarantee applies. This means you’ll pay the same or less than before.
If you experience financial hardship, support is available. Calvary can help you understand hardship options and guide you through the process.
If you’re waiting for funding to start, you may be able to access:
- private home care, or
- short-term government-funded services such as the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP)
Our team can help you understand your options and arrange interim support.
Flexible care and support
Discover what services are available, how care plans work and how support can be tailored to you.
Home care services may include:
- personal care (showering, dressing, grooming)
- nursing and clinical care
- allied health services
- domestic assistance (cleaning, meals, gardening)
- transport and social support
- respite for carers
- assistive technology and home modifications
Services are tailored to your needs and can change over time.
Yes. Many people begin with just a few hours of support each week and increase services as their needs change.
Your care plan is reviewed regularly. If your needs change, our team can help tailor the services you receive without starting over.
What to expect from your care
Learn what happens during a home care visit and how we provide consistent, personalised support.
At the start of each visit, your support worker will check in with you to see how you’re feeling and whether anything has changed. They’ll then help you with the tasks outlined in your care plan for that day. Care is delivered with flexibility and respect, so support can adapt to how you’re feeling on the day.
Where possible, we aim to provide consistency, so you see familiar faces from our trusted care team. If your regular support worker is unavailable due to illness or leave, another trained team member who understands your care needs will step in to support you.
Start your care journey today
Ready to make the next step?
If you or a family member needs support at home, our Home Care experts are ready to help.
Call our team on 1800 52 72 72 or make an enquiry to discuss a Calvary package that best meets your personal needs.