Home care costs in Perth vary depending on your package level, the provider you choose, and how much you contribute personally. For most people, the government subsidises the majority of the cost through the Support at Home program, meaning many older Australians pay far less than the full market rate. Understanding what drives the cost, and what you actually pay out of pocket, is the first step to planning care that fits both your needs and your budget.
What Determines the Cost of Home Care in Perth?
There is no single fixed price for home care in Perth. Several factors combine to determine what you will pay:
- Your funding level: Government-subsidised care comes in different classification levels, each with a set quarterly budget.
- Your provider’s fees: Registered in-home care providers set their own service rates and care management charges within government guidelines.
- Your personal contribution: Depending on your income and assets, and the type of service, you may be asked to contribute a percentage of the cost.
- The type of services you need: Personal care, nursing, allied health, and domestic assistance are all priced differently.
- How often you receive care: The number of hours and frequency of visits directly affect your total quarterly spend.
Understanding each of these factors helps you compare providers more accurately and avoid unexpected costs.
Government-Subsidised Home Care: What Are the Package Levels?
Since November 2025, the Australian Government’s Support at Home program replaced the previous Home Care Packages program. This new model provides funding across eight classification levels, ranging from lower-needs support through to high-intensity care. Each classification comes with a quarterly budget, which your provider draws from to deliver your approved services. The higher your care needs, the greater the government contribution.
The Support at Home program is designed to give people more flexibility in how their funding is used, with greater transparency around costs and less administrative complexity than the previous model. Services are grouped into three categories — Clinical Supports, Independence, and Everyday Living — and each carries a different co-contribution rate depending on your pension status (more on this below).
If you are already on a Home Care Package, your care will transition to the new program. To understand exactly how this affects your funding and what services are available to you, visit our Support at Home page.
How Much Do You Pay Out of Pocket?
Under Support at Home, what you pay depends on the category of service and your pension status, not a flat percentage across the board. As a guide:
| Category | Full Pensioner | Part Pensioner | Self-Funded |
| Clinical Care (nursing, allied health, dietician) | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Independence (personal care, transport, respite) | 5% | 5% – 50% | 50% |
| Everyday Living (cleaning, gardening, meals) | 17.5% | 17.5% – 80% | 80% |
So a full pensioner pays nothing towards clinical services like nursing or physiotherapy, a modest 5% towards independence-related supports, and 17.5% towards everyday living services such as cleaning and gardening. From 1 October 2026, personal care services will be fully funded by the government, removing this cost for everyone.
For the complete list of what’s included and excluded in each category, view our Support at Home Categories and Service Types guide.
Co-Contributions
Your co-contribution is calculated on the services you actually use each quarter, based on the table above. Full pensioners pay the lowest contributions, and participants facing genuine financial difficulty can apply for hardship assistance through Services Australia.
Top-Up Payments
If you choose services or hours that exceed what your package covers, you can pay the difference privately. Many families in Perth choose to top up their government funding to receive more frequent visits or specialist care.
Private Pay
If you are waiting for a government package or do not yet qualify, private care is an option. Private rates in Perth typically range from $65–$95 depending on the service type and provider. For a clear breakdown of current service rates, visit the Perth Care Partners Pricing Schedule.
What Services Does In-Home Care Cover and What Do They Cost?
Support at Home groups services into three categories, each with its own cost and contribution structure:
Everyday Living — general house cleaning, gardening, meal preparation and delivery. These attract the highest co-contribution (17.5% for full pensioners) and are typically billed at hourly rates, for example around $115/hour for cleaning and $130/hour for gardening.
Independence — personal care, medicine management, transport to appointments, and respite at home. Full pensioners contribute just 5% towards these services.
Clinical — nursing, allied health (physiotherapy, podiatry, occupational therapy) and dietetic support. These are fully covered with no co-contribution, though hourly rates are higher, for example around $250/hour for physiotherapy, reflecting the qualifications required.
Every registered provider is required to publish a clear fee schedule. For the full detail on what is and isn’t included under each category, view the Support at Home Categories and Service Types document.
How Do Provider Fees Affect Your Budget?
Under Support at Home, a 10% Care Management fee is deducted from your Support at Home funding, at source by the Commonwealth Government. This fee covers the ongoing coordination of your services, communication with health professionals, and review of your care plan. It is the only management fee deducted from your funding — there is no separate administration or package management fee on top of it.
Here’s what that looks like in practice for a Support at Home Level 2 package:
- Annual Budget: $16,451.35
- Less 10% Care Management Fee
- Quarterly Budget available for direct services: $3,701.58
From there, your quarterly budget is spent on the services you choose, split across the Everyday Living, Independence and Clinical categories, with co-contributions applying as outlined above.
For example, a full pensioner on a Level 2 package who wants fortnightly cleaning, monthly gardening and monthly physiotherapy might spend around $2,520 per quarter on services, leaving a healthy buffer, with an expected co-contribution of around $309.75 for the quarter. View the full example budget breakdown here (link to applicable document) to see exactly how the numbers work.
High service fees can significantly reduce the hours of direct care you receive. When comparing providers, always ask: “How many hours of direct care will my package fund after fees?”
Is Home Care in Perth More Expensive Than Other Cities?
Home care costs in Perth are broadly in line with national pricing guidelines, since government-set subsidy rates apply Australia-wide. However, private pay rates and provider management fees can vary between providers and regions.
Perth’s geography can also be a factor. Providers servicing outer suburbs or regional areas may apply travel loading fees for visits to locations further from their operational base. Always confirm whether travel fees apply to your address before committing to a provider.
How to Reduce Your Home Care Costs
There are practical steps you can take to get more value from your home care budget:
- Claim your government entitlement early. Contact My Aged Care as soon as care needs arise, since wait times can be lengthy.
- Compare provider fees. Not all providers charge the same care management fee. A difference of even a few percentage points can equate to several hours of care per quarter.
- Review your care plan regularly. Your needs and priorities change. An outdated plan may be funding services you no longer use.
Related Reading >> If you are in the process of choosing a provider, costs are only one part of the decision. Experience, reliability, and cultural alignment matter just as much. Read our guide on how to choose an aged care provider in Perth to understand what to look for beyond the price tag.
Frequently Asked Questions About Home Care Costs in Perth
Do I need to pay for home care if I have a government package?
Yes, most people receiving Support at Home services will make a co-contribution based on the category of service and their pension status, as outlined above. Full pensioners pay the lowest rates, and clinical services carry no contribution at all.
Can I use my superannuation to pay for home care?
Superannuation can only be accessed under specific conditions set by the ATO. In some circumstances, people accessing their super under compassionate grounds or as a retiree may use funds for care costs. A financial advisor familiar with aged care can clarify your individual situation.
What happens if my package budget runs out before the end of the quarter?
Under the Support at Home program, unspent funds carry over within the same financial year. If you exceed your budget within a period, your provider should alert you so you can adjust your services or arrange private top-up payments.
Are there hidden fees I should watch out for?
Common unexpected charges include after-hours or weekend loadings and fees for service cancellations made on short notice. There should only be one management fee — the Care Management Fee — deducted from your package; always read the full service agreement and ask your provider to walk you through every potential charge before signing.
How do I find out what level of government funding I am eligible for?
Contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 to begin an assessment. Your eligibility and funding level will be determined by a formal assessment of your care needs.
Is there financial assistance available for people who cannot afford private home care?
Yes. The government subsidy programs, including Support at Home, are specifically designed to make care affordable for older Australians regardless of their financial position. Hardship provisions are also available under My Aged Care for those in exceptional circumstances.
Understanding Your Costs Is the First Step
Home care costs in Perth are shaped by your funding level, your provider’s fee structure, and the specific services you need. The good news is that government programs cover a significant portion of the cost for most eligible Australians, and transparent pricing is a requirement for all registered providers.
If you would like to understand exactly what Perth Care Partners charges for its services, see our Pricing Schedule or explore the Support at Home program to see what government funding may be available to you.
