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  1. What is the Home Care Package program?

    The Home Care Packages program is a government-subsided program that provides long-term support for older people who want to stay living at home. There are four levels of Home Care Package for different levels of care and support needs. Each level receives a different amount of funding. To be eligible for a Home Care Package at Wyanga, you must be:

    • Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
    • Aged 50+
    • Suffering with a chronic medical condition

  2. What is the Commonwealth Home Support Program?

    The Commonwealth Home Support Programme provides a range of low care services for older people requiring assistance with tasks so they can keep living independently at home. If you are generally able to manage but just need some help with daily tasks to continue living at home, Commonwealth Home Support Programme services may be right for you.
    These services might also be suitable if you have had a setback and need support for just a short period of time to help you get back on your feet.

    The aim of the program is to help older people live as independently as possible — with a focus on working with you, rather than doing for you. It is about building on your strengths and abilities to help you remain living independently and safely at home.

    To be eligible you must be:

    • Aged 65 years and over (50 years and over for Aboriginal and Torres Starit Islander people) or
    • Prematurely aged on a low income, aged 50 years or over (45 years or over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people)
    • Homeless or at risk of homelessness.

  3. Who can apply for services at Wyanga?

    Wyanga’s services are for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people aged 50+.

  4. How can I apply for services?

    All applicants for a Home Care Package or Commonwealth Home Support Program have to be assessed via My Aged Care by contacting 1800 200 422.

    To apply for the National Disability Insurance Scheme you will have to contact 
NDIS on 1800 800 110.

  5. What’s the difference between being ‘assigned’ and ‘approved’?

    Once you have applied through My Aged Care and the assessment team has reviewed your situation, you will be considered as ‘approved’ if you are eligible to receive care. You will then have to wait to receive a confirmation that a care package is available. Once it is, you will get a letter from My Aged Care to let you know you have been ‘assigned’ a package. You’ll then have to provide Wyanga with the unique referral code that was provided in the letter.

  6. What is the cost of the service?

    The Australian Government contributes to the cost of aged care services. You’re expected to contribute if you can afford to. There are no standard costs for aged care services.

    All clients receiving support from Wyanga are charged a small fee depending on services provided. This is negotiated directly with the person at the time of acceptance into the service and is reviewed on an annual basis.

  7. What’s the difference between ACAT, RAS & NDIA?

    The ACAT is the Aged Care Assessment Team, assessing your eligibility for a Home Care Package. The RAS is the Regional Assessment Service, assessing your eligibility for the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP). The NDIA is the National Disability Insurance Agency, assessing your eligibility for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

  8. What if I am on a waiting list to receive a Home Care Package?

    There is often some waiting time between applying and being assigned a Home Care Package. Unfortunately, there is not much that can be done to speed up the process. However, you could apply for a Commonwealth Home Support Program to receive some support while waiting for your Home care Package.

  9. How many hours/days can I get assistance?

    Wyanga clients can receive assistance from Monday – Friday, the amount of hours of assistance you receive each week will be determined in your Care Plan that you design with your Client Services Coordinator.

  10. Who will visit me?

    Wyanga employs staff trained in providing high-quality, culturally appropriate aged care services. Once we receive your referral, you will be assigned a Client Services Coordinator who will visit you in your home and create an individualised Care Plan for you based on your needs.

  11. How can I support Wyanga?

    As a not-for-profit organization, we are always looking for more funding to improve our services. We call Friends of Wyanga anyone that wishes to support us and make a donation. If you have any queries about this or would like to make a donation, please email wendy@wyanga.org.au and rolsyn@wyanga.org.au

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