Getting funding
The Federal Government provides a range of support packages for those who need it most. If you need help paying for your care, see if there's a package that suits you.
Funding for over 65s
The Federal Government's My Aged Care program offers two different types of funding to over 65s who need support in their homes. The type of funding you should apply for depends on things like your age and whether you need short-term or ongoing services.
Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP)
The Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) provides funding for in-home services that meet simpler, short-term needs and for community services that support in-home care.​
Home Care Package (HCP) program
The Home Care Package (HCP) program pays for in-home services to meet longer-term or more complex needs. The Home Care Packages website will give you more information, including how much funding you could receive.
Applying for a package
Before you can receive government funding, you must be assessed by the Aged Care Assessment Service (ACAS), which is done at no cost to you. An assessment will take into account things like your needs, your circumstances and what services could help you.
You can speak with the assessor yourself or nominate someone to support you or do it on your behalf eg a carer or family member. Fernlea can also support you through this process.
There are a number of ways to apply for a package:
Ask your GP for a referral
Phone My Aged Care
on 1800 200 422
Apply for your package online
Managing your aged care package
A Home Care Package and the funding associated with it belongs to the recipient. However the recipient can choose for their Home Care Package to be managed by:​
The recipient themselves
or someone they nominate like a carer​.
A package manager
who may charge you an admin fee to do so. Some package managers also provide direct care services as well as managing the administration of the package.
If your package is managed by another organisation, you can still use Fernlea
In-Home Care to provide your care services if that is your preference - you just need to let your package manager know and they will organise the services direct with us.
Package managers cannot force you to use their care services if you don’t want to. You are free to decide who you want to provide services for you no matter
who manages your package.
Funding for people under 65 or with a disability
The Federal Government's National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides financial support for people who are under 65 and have a life-limiting illness or who are living with a disability. Have a look at this checklist to find out if you might be eligible for an NDIS package.
Arranging an assessment
Disability funding differs from aged care funding in that it does not have specific levels of funding and is not a set amount of money. Instead, you will meet with a planner to decide which services best meet your need and help you to achieve your goals.
These services will then be costed and an amount of funding allocated. The amount of funding for each recipient is different as it is tailored to their specific needs.
There are a number of ways to arrange an assessment:
Ask your GP for a referral
Complete the Access Request Form and email back to NAT@ndis.gov.au
Managing your NDIS package
NDIS packages can be managed by:
The recipient themselves
or someone they nominate like a carer​.
A package manager
who may charge you an admin fee to do so. Some package managers also provide direct care services as well as managing the administration of the package.
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If you manage your own package, you can organise and pay for Fernlea In-Home Care services direct with us.
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If your package is managed by another organisation (but not the NDIA), you can still use Fernlea In-Home Care to provide your care services if that is your preference - you just need to let your package manager know and they will organise the services direct with us. Package managers cannot force you to use their services if you don’t want to.
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You are free to decide who you want to provide services for you no matter who manages you package.
The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA)
Fernlea is unable to provide care services if your package is managed by the NDIA.
What does a package manager do?
If you don’t want to or are unable to manage your Home Care Package yourself, you can employ an organisation who manages packages to do that for you. This includes doing things like finding and coordinating the in-home services you need, changing those services as your needs change, and purchasing the good and equipment required for your support.
It is important to note that managing packages is not the same as providing the in-home services, although some package manager do both. Ultimately, it is up to the client who they want to provide the in-home service. Package managers cannot force you to use their care services if you don’t want to, even if they manage your package.
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Organisations who manage packages charge a fee to do this, and those fees can vary significantly. Any management fees charged will be deducted from your Home Care Package so it is important that you or someone you trust clearly understands how much money is left and how many hours of care you can purchase once all the fees have been deducted from your package.
