Frequently asked questions
Is HomeCareCompass the government’s calculator?
No. HomeCareCompass is independent of government and providers. Every rate we use comes from the published Australian Government schedules and the Support at Home program manual, and we show the date the rules were last verified on every page and report.
How accurate is the estimate?
As accurate as published rules allow. Your exact contribution rate is set by Services Australia from your income and assets. Where the rules make a single figure impossible — for example part pensioners, whose rate sits in a band — we show an honest range rather than false precision.
What changed with Support at Home?
Support at Home replaced Home Care Packages on 1 November 2025. Budgets are now quarterly, contribution rates depend on your entry cohort and means status, and clinical care is $0 contribution for everyone. Rates and budgets were re-indexed on 1 July 2026.
What happens on 1 October 2026?
Personal care becomes fully government funded. If your plan includes personal care, your estimate shows costs before and after the change automatically.
Do I need an account to use the estimator?
No. The free estimator works without sign-up, and we don’t store the details you enter. You can download or email yourself the estimate PDF, free.
What is the Decision Pack?
A personalised PDF report generated from the exact details you enter: scenario comparisons (including the October 2026 change and provider price sensitivity), your service plan at every classification level, how your rates are set in plain language, price benchmarking against government-reported provider prices, a red-flags guide, and a provider-meeting checklist with a comparison worksheet. It is a one-off purchase, delivered to your email within minutes.
Is the Decision Pack financial advice?
No. Everything we produce is general information computed from published schedules and the details you enter. It doesn’t consider your broader financial situation and isn’t a substitute for personal advice. Services Australia determines actual contribution rates.
What if my Decision Pack doesn’t arrive?
Check your spam or junk folder first — then email hello@homecarecompass.com.au and we’ll re-send it. If we can’t deliver it, we’ll refund you. Australian Consumer Law guarantees apply to everything we sell.
Where do the provider prices come from?
Default prices are the government’s published indicative prices — the median of what providers reported they intend to charge. You can (and should) replace them with your provider’s actual price list; the estimate updates instantly.
Who is behind HomeCareCompass?
An independent Australian developer — ABN 98 844 353 839, based in Victoria. Free, independent aged care advocacy is always available from OPAN on 1800 700 600.
Something we haven’t covered? Ask us directly — or head straight to the estimator.