Home Care Package Wait Times

What is a home care package?

A Home Care Package is a government-funded program that helps older Australians live independently at home rather than moving into aged care. It’s designed to cover a range of support services, including help with personal care, cleaning, cooking, transport, shopping and even some nursing or health needs.

To get one, you start by applying through My Aged Care. From there, you’ll be assessed — usually at home — by someone from the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT). They’ll talk to you about how you’re managing your day-to-day life and decide whether you’re eligible and what level of support you might need.

If you’re approved, that’s great news! But it’s also when the waiting starts. You’re placed in a national queue until a package becomes available.

How long do people wait?

This is one of the most asked questions, and honestly, it varies. Home care package waiting times can range from three to over 15 months, depending on the level of care needed and individual circumstances.

Here are the estimated wait times for home care packages through My Aged Care as of February 2025:

• Level 1 and 2 (basic support): around six to nine months
• Level 3 (moderate to high needs): about nine to 12 months
• Level 4 (highest care needs): typically 12 to 15 months

Keep in mind that these are general timeframes. Some people may receive their package sooner, while others may wait a little longer, depending on capacity and urgency.

Why is the wait so long?

There’s one main reason: demand. More and more Australians are choosing to stay at home as they age. That’s a good thing, but it also means more people are applying for home care packages every year.

There are only a certain number of packages released at a time. Even when the government adds more funding, there’s still a lot of coordination needed to get those packages assigned and activated. It’s a system under pressure, and sometimes it just takes a while to catch up.

That said, new packages are always being released, and people do move through the system regularly. So, while the wait time for home care packages can be a genuine concern, it’s also not forever.

What can you do while waiting?

It might feel like everything is out of your hands, but there’s still plenty you can do to stay prepared and in control.

Start by keeping your paperwork in one place. Letters from My Aged Care, your approval documents and notes from assessments — staying organised will save you time when your package arrives.

Keep your health and support needs up to date, too. If anything changes, like your mobility or how you’re coping day to day, it helps to have a record ready. This can make things easier if you need to be reassessed.

It’s also a good time to start researching providers. Not all providers offer the same level of service or flexibility. Some give you more freedom to choose how your package is used, and some are faster when it comes to setting things up. Planning ahead now means you’ll be ready to make the most of your funding as soon as it becomes available.

But even if you’ve taken all the right steps, we know the waiting period can still be stressful. That’s where our team at Homecare My Way steps in. While you wait, we’ll help you lay the groundwork. We’ll clarify what matters most to you, discuss your goals and outline a plan that’s ready to go. So when your package is approved, everything’s in place to start your care without delay.

You’re not alone in the wait — support starts with Homecare My Way

There’s no sugar-coating the fact that My Aged Care home care package wait times can be tough, especially when you’re already feeling the pressure or need extra support at home.

But once your package kicks in, you’ll notice the difference. You’ll have more support on hand, more time to prioritise your wellbeing and greater confidence to continue living independently — at home and on your terms.

While you’re waiting, Homecare My Way is here to guide you through it. Our Care Management team and Customer Care Managers can:

• Help you understand your funding and home care package wait times
• Talk through your options for private care or informal support while you wait
• Keep you organised and ready for when your funding becomes available

We’re with you, every step of the way. Chat with one of our Customer Care Managers today to get started, ask questions and explore your options.