DVA Home Care Package Level 4: Essential Guide to Care Services, Costs and Eligibility
Are you struggling to navigate the DVA home care package level 4 and wondering if you qualify for the high‑level support you need at home? Many veterans feel overwhelmed by strict eligibility criteria and complex assessments when seeking support for older service‑related care needs at home. This guide clearly explains what a Level 4 home care package offers, how DVA funding works and why it matters for your independence, safety and wellbeing. Let’s break down the key steps to secure the care you’ve earned and live safely in your own home.
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Home Care Package Provided by My Aged Care
A Home Care Package combines personal care, clinical services and support to help you stay safely in your home. Veterans access their package through the My Aged Care portal, and approved providers deliver services in line with their care plan. DVA funds these services via your package budget and manages your contributions through an income assessment.
Assessing Fees and Income Assessment
DVA conducts a single income assessment before any services begin. The basic daily fee is set at a percentage of the single basic age pension (15.68–17.50 %), varying by package level; for Level 4, it is $13.14 per day (17.5 %) as at 20 March 2025, and any income‑tested care fee based on your earnings. Your final package budget combines these contributions with the government subsidy.
Understanding Eligibility and Care Needs Assessment
This section explains who can access a Level 4 Home Care Package and how the ACAT/ACAS assessment determines your care needs.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify, you must be aged 65 or older (50 or older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people), though younger individuals with disability, dementia or other unmet care needs may also apply. Eligibility then depends on an ACAT or ACAS assessor’s evaluation of your health, mobility and daily living circumstances. Veterans holding a DVA Gold Card or White Card under MRCA—including those already receiving Veterans’ Home Care—can undergo the same assessment to determine the appropriate package level. A referral from your GP or hospital discharge planner is required to begin the process. See our DVA Home Care guide for a broader overview of managing your package and services from My Aged Care.
ACAT/ACAS Assessment
An Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) or Aged Care Assessment Service (ACAS) assessor visits your home to assess health, mobility and daily living tasks. This visit shapes your care plan and confirms which services you need. It is mandatory for Level 4 funding.
Services Included in a Level 4 Home Care Package
Level 4 home care packages provide the most comprehensive care services for veterans with complex needs. They cover clinical nursing, allied health, domestic assistance, personal care, residential respite care and home maintenance.
Clinical Nursing
A nurse can visit daily or weekly to deliver wound care, injections, medication management and health monitoring. These home care services include checking vital signs and early issue detection. Through the DVA community nursing program, you can receive skilled care in your home environment.
Allied Health Services
Your package may fund physiotherapy, occupational therapy or speech therapy sessions. It can also cover home‑based exercise programs to improve strength and mobility. These services aim to boost safety, independence, and overall wellbeing.
Domestic Assistance
Staff can help with household cleaning, meal preparation and laundry. They follow your care plan to maintain consistency across visits. For more on clean and professional household support see our DVA Household Services.
Personal Care
Carers assist with bathing, dressing and grooming and mobility support. They respect your routines and preferences to promote comfort, dignity and privacy.
Residential Respite
Short‑term stays in approved aged care homes let you rest, recover and maintain package funding. This service gives your regular carers a break while ensuring high‑quality oversight of your care.
Home Maintenance
Your package covers minor home repairs, yard maintenance and safety modifications. You can request grab rails, ramps or other adjustments. These tasks help you live safely and comfortably.
Fees, Package Budget and Government Support
This section explains the government subsidy for a Level 4 home care package, outlines the fees and package budget and describes the Veterans’ Supplement for eligible mental health conditions.
Government Subsidy
The Australian Government funds most of the package budget for Level 4 aged care support. As of the latest figures, the government subsidy for Level 4 is $170.07 per day—about $62,000 per year.. This subsidy covers the bulk of services from basic daily support to clinical nursing.
Basic and Income‑Tested Fees
All veterans pay a basic daily fee set at five per cent of the single basic age pension. If your income exceeds the threshold, DVA will conduct an income assessment to calculate any additional charge. The income-tested care fee applies only to a portion of the subsidy and varies based on your individual financial situation.
Veterans’ Supplement
Veterans with an accepted service‑related mental health condition receive a ten per cent supplement on the basic subsidy. This extra payment flows directly into your package budget and expands your available home care services. By adding this Veterans’ Supplement, you can access more support without increasing your out‑of‑pocket costs.
Applying for Your Level 4 Package: Step‑by‑Step
This section outlines four steps to apply for a Level 4 home care package from referral to final approval, ensuring you receive timely support at home. Processing typically takes several weeks.
Referral to ACAT/ACAS
First, get a GP or hospital discharge planner to refer you to the Aged Care Assessment Team or Assessment Service. An assessor visits your home to assess mobility health and daily living tasks.
My Aged Care Online Form
Next, log in to the My Aged Care website and complete the Level 4 request form. This step confirms your application and helps you receive services from My Aged Care efficiently. You can also track your application status online.
DVA Income Assessment
After submitting the form, DVA reviews your pension details to set any income‑tested care fee and finalise your package budget. Veterans on DVA pensions benefit from an auto‑assessment if their financial records are current.
Final Approval
DVA issues your funding agreement and confirms your package budget. You can then start to receive home care services at Level 4. For more on DVA support, see our DVA Home Care guide.
Comparing Veterans’ Home Care (VHC) and Level 4 Packages
This section contrasts the VHC program with the Level 4 home care package to help veterans choose the best option for their care needs.
Veterans’ Home Care (VHC) Program
The Veterans’ Home Care (VHC) Program is a separate DVA‑administered program, not part of the Commonwealth Home Support Programme, to provide essential aged care services. VHC does not include clinical nursing visits, provided under DVA’s standalone Community Nursing Program. VHC suits veterans who need low‑level support for everyday tasks and social connection. It ensures support for older veterans but does not fund complex clinical care. VHC domestic assistance visits are scheduled according to your assessed needs and provider availability, not a fixed fortnightly timetable. It does not fund allied health services or complex clinical nursing.
Level 4 Home Care Package
A Level 4 package targets veterans with complex or high‑level care needs. It covers comprehensive clinical nursing, allied health, personal care, residential respite and home maintenance. It can also cover carer training and assistive technology to support independence. This package delivers broad services beyond VHC’s limits and funds ongoing support that adapts to changing needs.
Expert Tips for Maximising Your Level 4 Package
Use these practical steps to make the most of your home care package and ensure smooth delivery of services.
Schedule clinical visits early to secure preferred slots and address complex care needs promptly.
Review your service provider agreements to confirm that all package services align with your care plan.
Monitor your package budget monthly to track spending and avoid unexpected fees.
Keep all documentation organised, including care agreements and invoices, to speed up claim adjustments.
Work with our DVA claim specialists and refer to our DVA Home Care guide to reduce delays, prevent errors and improve the timeliness of service delivery.
Secure Your Level 4 Home Care Package Today
Navigating fees eligibility and service options for a Level 4 home care package can feel overwhelming, but with Veterans First Consulting at your side, you gain independent expert support to streamline assessments, manage your package budget and secure timely approval. Our dedicated DVA claim specialists understand MRCA requirements and will guide you through every step so you can focus on recovery while we handle paperwork and advocacy. Ready to secure your Level 4 Home Care Package? Start Your Claim Today with a DVA claim specialist at Veterans First Consulting.
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