Aged Care Resources

A Guide for Seniors & Families

Navigating aged care can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. This page provides essential information on Home Care Packages (HCP), private-pay services, and care options, helping you make informed decisions.

Getting Started with Aged Care

If you're new to aged care, here’s what you need to know:

  • Understand Home Care Packages (HCP) – Learn how government funding works.

  • Apply for an ACAT Assessment – Required to access government-funded care.

  • Choose the Right Provider – Compare self-managed vs. guided support.

  • Access Support While Waiting – Private-pay services are available immediately.

An Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) will assess your needs and determine your eligibility for a Home Care Package (HCP).

Home Care Packages Explained

A Home Care Package (HCP) is government funding that helps cover in-home support services. There are four levels based on individual care needs:

Level 1: Basic Care Needs

This level provides entry-level support for seniors who need a little help to continue living independently at home.

  • Occasional cleaning and gardening

  • Assistance with shopping and transport

  • Social support and companionship

Best for: Seniors who are mostly independent but need light assistance.

Level 2: Low-Level Needs

Provides more regular support to help seniors stay safe and comfortable at home.

  • Regular home cleaning and gardening

  • Meal preparation and grocery shopping

  • Transport to appointments and social outings

Best for: Seniors who need ongoing support with daily activities but can still manage some tasks independently.

Level 3: Intermediate Needs

Designed for seniors who need more frequent, hands-on support to remain at home safely.

  • Personal care (e.g., dressing, showering)

  • Mobility assistance and medication reminders

  • Home modifications for safety (e.g., handrails, ramps)

Best for: Seniors with moderate care needs who require daily assistance.

Level 4: High-Level Needs

This is the highest level of support, suitable for seniors with complex care needs or significant health challenges.

  • Comprehensive personal care and mobility assistance

  • Dementia support and behavioural management

  • Coordination of multiple care services (e.g., nursing, allied health)

Best for: Seniors with advanced care needs who require full-time support to remain at home.

How to Apply for a Home Care Package

  1. Get an ACAT Assessment – Apply through My Aged Care.

  2. Receive Your Approval Letter – Confirms eligibility & funding level.

  3. Choose a Provider & Develop a Care Plan – You have 56 days to decide.

  4. Select Self-Managed or Guided Support – Choose how you want to manage your package.

Current Wait Times for Funding Allocation:

  • Level 1: ~3-6 months

  • Level 2: ~6-12 months

  • Level 3 & 4: ~12+ months

Understanding My Aged Care Letters

When applying for a Home Care Package (HCP), you will receive important letters from My Aged Care outlining your approval status, funding level, and next steps. Below is a breakdown of the key letters you may receive.

1. Approval Letter

What It Means: Confirms that you have been approved for a Home Care Package and placed on the national waiting list.
Key Details:

  • Confirms your eligibility and assigned HCP level (1–4).

  • States that you are now on the national waitlist for funding.

  • May provide referral codes for interim support while you wait for your package.

2. Assignment Letter

What It Means: Notifies you that your Home Care Package has been assigned and is ready to be used.
Key Details:

  • Confirms that your HCP funding is now available.

  • Provides a unique referral code needed to engage a provider.

  • Informs you that you have 56 days to enter into a Home Care Agreement, with an option for a 28-day extension.

Need Help While Waiting for HCP?

Many seniors face long wait times for funding to become available. While waiting, private-pay services can help bridge the gap.

  • Cleaning, gardening & in-home support

  • Help with ACAT assessments & HCP applications

  • Support choosing or switching providers

  • Onboarding assistance with a trusted HCP provider (Trilogy Care)

These services do not affect your HCP funding and ensure you receive care while waiting for approval.

Understanding the Sistability & Trilogy Care Partnership

Sistability has a partnership agreement with Trilogy Care, allowing us to provide direct care coordination services for aged care clients. This means that when you choose Guided Support (Self-Managed PLUS - 26%), your dedicated Care Coordinator will be a member of the Sistability team—ensuring a seamless, locally managed experience.

This partnership allows Home Care Package (HCP) recipients to receive trusted in-home support while benefiting from flexible package management options.

How the Partnership Works

Trilogy Care is a registered Home Care Package provider, managing your HCP funds while offering two self-management options:

  • Self-Managed (15%) – You control your care arrangements while Trilogy handles the financial administration.

  • Guided Support (Self-Managed PLUS - 26%) – Sistability provides a dedicated Care Coordinator to manage everything for you.

Sistability provides both the services and care coordination needed to help you stay independent at home:

  • Care Coordination (Guided Support clients only) – A Sistability team member will oversee your care plan, book services, and liaise with external providers.

  • Cleaning & Household Support – Regular and deep cleaning services.

  • Gardening & Outdoor Maintenance – Lawn mowing, pruning, weeding.

  • In-Home Support & Companionship – Meal prep, transport, and more.

Seamless Setup & Support – Trilogy Care ensures your Home Care Package is efficiently managed, while Sistability delivers high-quality, locally based services, including care coordination for Guided Support clients.

With this agreement in place, Sistability can directly provide care coordination, ensuring that your experience is managed by a trusted local team.

Why Choose Sistability & Trilogy Care?

  • No setup fees, daily fees, or exit fees

  • More control over your funding & service providers

  • A local, trusted provider with deep community ties

  • Flexible options to suit your level of independence

  • Your Care Coordinator is a Sistability team member who understands your needs

By partnering with Trilogy Care, Sistability provides not just home care services but also personalised care coordination, ensuring seniors get the best support possible with minimal stress.

Choosing Between Self-Managed & Guided Support

When your Home Care Package (HCP) funding is approved, you need to decide how to manage your care.

Option 1: Self-Managed
(15% Fee – You Handle Everything)

✔ You choose your own providers
✔ You book and manage services
✔ You handle budgeting and care planning
✔ Trilogy Care administers your funds, but no care coordination is provided

Best for: Seniors who are comfortable organising and managing their own care arrangements.

Option 2: Guided Support
(26% Fee – Fully Managed by Sistability)

✔ A Sistability Care Coordinator manages your care plan
✔ We book and schedule services for you
✔ We liaise with external providers (e.g., nursing, allied health)
✔ We handle admin, invoicing & reporting
✔ Trilogy Care administers your funds, but Sistability provides direct care coordination

Best for: Seniors who want a dedicated Care Coordinator to handle everything, ensuring a seamless and stress-free experience.

Self-Managed (15%) Guided Support (Self-Managed PLUS - 26%)
You arrange services & providers Yes No – Sistability handles it for you
Sistability coordinates cleaning, gardening & in-home support Optional – You arrange it Yes – Sistability manages it
Coordination of external providers (e.g., nursing, allied health) No – You must arrange this Yes – Sistability liaises with all providers
You handle admin & budgeting Yes No – Sistability manages it
Care coordination & package management fee 15% (Trilogy Care Fee) 26% (Trilogy Care Fee – Includes Sistability Care Coordination)
Support for setting up and reviewing your care plan No – You manage everything Yes – Dedicated Sistability Care Coordinator

Home Care Package Funding & Costs

Understanding how much support you can receive under a Home Care Package (HCP) is essential for planning your care. Below are the funding details and expected weekly service hours based on Sistability's $75/hour rate.

How Sistability & Trilogy Care Work Together

  • Trilogy Care is the approved HCP provider and administers Home Care Package funds.

  • Sistability provides direct care coordination and services under a partnership agreement.

  • If you choose Guided Support (Self-Managed PLUS - 26%), a Sistability team member will be your dedicated Care Coordinator, overseeing your care plan, booking services, and liaising with providers.

Note: There are no setup fees, daily fees, or exit fees under Trilogy Care.

Self-Managed Home Care Package (15% Fee)

In this option, Trilogy Care takes a 15% fee to manage your package funds, but you handle your own care coordination and service bookings.

Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4
Weekly Home Care Package Funding $204 $360 $784 $1189
Trilogy Care Fee (15%) per week $30 $54 $117 $178
Basic Daily Fee None None None None
Estimated Support Hours (at $75/hr) 2.32 hrs 4.08 hrs 8.89 hrs 13.48 hrs
Care Coordination No – You manage your own care No – You manage your own care No – You manage your own care No – You manage your own care

Guided Support (Self-Managed PLUS - 26% Fee)

If you prefer a dedicated Care Coordinator to manage your services, Trilogy Care charges a 26% fee, and Sistability provides direct care coordination.

Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4
Weekly Home Care Package Funding $204 $360 $784 $1189
Trilogy Care Fee (26%) per week $53 $93 $203 $309
Basic Daily Fee None None None None
Estimated Support Hours (at $75/hr) 2.02 hrs 3.56 hrs 7.74 hrs 11.73 hrs
Care Coordination Yes – Sistability Care Coordinator Yes – Sistability Care Coordinator Yes – Sistability Care Coordinator Yes – Sistability Care Coordinator

What These Costs Mean for You

  • Self-Managed (15%) – You manage your own services and providers, with Trilogy Care handling the funding.

  • Guided Support (26%) – A Sistability Care Coordinator manages your care, books services, and liaises with external providers.

Choosing Guided Support means your care is fully managed by a Sistability team member, ensuring consistency, quality, and a stress-free experience.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

We understand that navigating aged care can be confusing. Below are some common questions we receive from seniors and families.

  • A Home Care Package is government funding that helps seniors stay independent at home by covering support services like cleaning, gardening, and transport.

  • There are four levels of support, ranging from basic help to high-level care needs.
    🔗 See Home Care Package Levels Explained

  • You need to apply through My Aged Care and complete an ACAT (Aged Care Assessment Team) assessment.
    🔗 Learn how to apply

  • Waiting times depend on your approved package level, ranging from 3 months to over a year.
    🔗 See estimated wait times

  • Your Home Care Package covers most of your care costs, but a management fee applies.
    🔗 Compare funding & costs

    • Self-Managed (15%) – You arrange your own care.

    • Guided Support (26%) – Sistability handles everything for you (including care coordination).
      🔗 See Self-Managed vs. Guided Support

  • If you choose Guided Support (Self-Managed PLUS - 26%), a Sistability Care Coordinator will manage your care, book providers, and handle admin.
    🔗 Learn more about the Sistability & Trilogy Care partnership

  • Yes! If you decide you want Sistability to coordinate your care, you can upgrade at any time.

  • Yes! Sistability offers private-pay services so you can get support immediately.
    🔗 See private-pay support options

  • Yes! You can book Sistability services directly, even if you self-manage your Home Care Package.