How funding works

ECHO provides home care services through two Commonwealth Government programs:

1) Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP)

The CHSP funds basic home support for older people who just need a little help to keep living independently. It covers a specific range of daily tasks, home modifications, transport, social support and nursing care. It also funds respite services to give carers a break.

For more information about ECHO’s services under this program, visit MyAgedCare here:

For general information about the CHSP visit MyAgedCare here.

Download ECHO’s current fees for services under the CHSP by clicking here.

2) Home Care Packages (HCP)

The HCP program is the next step up from the CHSP. It funds more substantial ongoing personal services, support services and clinical care, at four package levels: from Level 1 for basic care needs to Level 4 for high care needs.

The HCP program is ‘consumer-directed care’, meaning a funding budget is assigned to the user, who then engages a provider like ECHO to deliver and/or manage the services they need.

ECHO provides a case manager (Client Advisor) to help you arrange the services you need and manage your budget. You receive a statement each month so you know exactly what funds you have available and how much you can spend.

For more information about ECHO’s services under this program, visit MyAgedCare here.

For general information about the HCP program, visit MyAgedCare here.

Download ECHO’s current fees for services under an HCP here.

What people say about ECHO

‘I would like to thank the staff of ECHO for the patience shown to me this past week. It has been hard for me to let go of more of my independence, but thanks to ECHO (the family I don’t have) and the lovely girls who provide my service I feel more relaxed and happy than I have for a long time.’

Jackie

Assessing your eligibility

To qualify for either of the funding schemes you’ll need an in-person assessment (usually in your home) to determine what types of services you can be funded for.

You can organise an assessment on the My Aged Care website here.

If you’ve been approved for a Level 1, 2, 3 or 4 Home Care Package, you then choose your own service provider like ECHO.

You’ll find more information on the programs online at My Aged Care

Plus you can call the My Aged Care helpline on 1800 200 422.

You’re also welcome to chat with an ECHO Client Advisor by calling 9271-7011.

Your HCP Care Plan

Your Care Plan is the agreement between you and ECHO setting out what services are to be delivered and in what way.

If you qualify for a Home Care Package, you determine what services you want within your allocated budget. If the service is a regular one (say, weekly or fortnightly), you can also agree on the time and day for the service.

Depending on your level of need, a Home Care Package may be used to purchase:

  • support services – such as help with washing and ironing, house cleaning, gardening, basic home maintenance, home modifications related to your care needs, and transport
  • personal care – such as help with showering or bathing, dressing and mobility
  • nursing, allied health and other clinical services – hearing services and vision services
  • care coordination and case management
  • Telehealth and digital technology
  • Aids and equipment

For full details of what can and can’t be purchased with a Home Care Package, see the Commonweath guidelines here.