Home and Community Care (HACC) | Better Health Channel
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Summary

Home and Community Care (HACC) is a joint Commonwealth/ State Government program which provides services to support frail elderly people, younger people with disabilities living at home or in the community and their carers. Services provided may include housekeeping, home maintenance, personal care, nursing care and transport. HACC services can also provide respite care to give carers a break.

Call your local council or community health centre. They will meet you to discuss your needs. This will usually be in your home. You may want a family member, friend, interpreter or advocate with you.

The sort of services you require and how often they are needed will be discussed. There is a process for complaints or grievances should you have any at any time.

A range of services is available


Services are provided by many organisations. You can get support depending on your needs, for example:

Help around the home
  • Housekeeping - including regular or 'spring' cleaning and laundry
  • Home maintenance - such as cleaning gutters and spouts
  • Minor works - such as the installation of grab rails and smoke alarms.
Personal, nursing and health care
  • Personal care - such as assistance with mobility, showering, grooming, dressing and undressing, toileting, eating, prescribed exercise and monitoring of prescribed medication.
  • Nursing care and therapy, and information on the management of health problems like diabetes or incontinence.
  • In some areas, allied health services - such as dietetics, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, podiatry and speech therapy - are available.
Help to get out and about
  • Assistance with shopping, cooking, paying bills and attending appointments
  • Delivered meals and group meals at senior citizens' centres or community venues
  • Friendly visiting and group activities via the telephone.
  • Day groups sharing the company of others.
A break for everyone
  • Planned and overnight respite in the home or in the community. This provides a break or an outing for the person who is being cared for and a break for the carer.
  • Information and referral to other services.
Help for people with complex needs
  • Additional services to help people with complex needs which cannot be met by mainstream HACC services alone are provided by Linkages programs.

Regular assessments ensure changing needs are met


Assessments are conducted to help people and their families or carers to identify their needs, identify services and to ensure people receive the appropriate mix of services. A care plan is developed, monitored and reviewed to ensure services continue to meet consumer needs and maximise their independence.

Where to get help

  • Your local council
  • Your local community health centre
  • Nursing services.

Things to remember

  • Help is available.
  • Help will be provided depending on your needs.
  • Ask for help when you need it.
You might also be interested in: Want to know more?

Go to More information for support groups, related links and references.
This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:

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Department of Health logo

Fact sheet currently being reviewed.
Last reviewed: January 2011

Content on this website is provided for education and information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not imply endorsement and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional. Content has been prepared for Victorian residents and wider Australian audiences, and was accurate at the time of publication. Readers should note that, over time, currency and completeness of the information may change. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions.


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<a href="http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/home_and_community_care_hacc?open">Home and Community Care (HACC) - Better Health Channel</a><br/>
Home and Community Care (HACC) is a joint Commonwealth/ State Government program which provides services to support frail elderly people, younger people with disabilities living at home or in the community and their carers. Services provided may include housekeeping, home maintenance, personal care, nursing care and transport. HACC services can also provide respite care to give carers a break.

Content on this website is provided for education and information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not imply endorsement and is not intended to replace advice from your qualified health professional. Content has been prepared for Victorian residence and wider Australian audiences, and was accurate at the time of publication. Readers should note that over time currency and completeness of the information may change. All users are urged to always seek advice from a qualified health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions.

For the latest updates and more information, visit www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au

Copyight © 1999/2012  State of Victoria. Reproduced from the Better Health Channel (www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au) at no cost with permission of the Victorian Minister for Health. Unauthorised reproduction and other uses comprised in the copyright are prohibited without permission.