SA456 Cost of Home Care Form

Understanding the SA456: Calculation of Your Cost of Home Care

When you or someone you care about is approved for a Home Care Package in Australia, one of the first questions that comes up is: “What will this cost me?”

This is where the SA456 Calculation of Your Cost of Home Care form comes in. It’s the key tool Services Australia (Centrelink) uses to assess how much you may need to contribute towards the cost of your Home Care Package — and it’s one of those forms that can feel intimidating at first glance.

Don’t worry! This guide will walk you through what the SA456 is, who needs to complete it, how income testing works, what’s on the form, and some practical tips for filling it out and lodging it on time.

We’ll also cover what happens once your fee is assessed and how to ask for a review if you think there’s been a mistake.

Centrelink SA456 Form Download

The SA456 Form (Cost of Home Care) can be downloaded from:

    SA456 Form (Cost of Home Care) Download.

Why the SA456 Form Matters

The Australian Government wants to help older people stay at home for as long as possible, rather than moving into residential aged care before they need to. To make that happen, the Home Care Packages Program provides subsidies to approved providers so they can arrange services like cleaning, personal care, meal prep, transport, and nursing support.

But the government doesn’t cover the full cost automatically for everyone. Depending on your financial situation, you may be asked to pay an income-tested care fee — and that’s what the SA456 determines. Think of it as your fair share towards your own care costs.

Filling in this form correctly is important because:

• It ensures you’re paying the right amount — no more, no less.
• It helps your provider plan your budget for care services.
• It protects you from surprises down the track, like being back-charged fees.

Who Needs to Complete the SA456?

Not everyone who gets a Home Care Package needs to complete the SA456 form. Here’s how it works:

• If you’re a **full pensioner**, the government already has most of your income details on file, so you may not need to submit this form. Your income-tested fee might be zero, or very low.
• If you’re a **self-funded retiree** or a part-pensioner, you will usually need to complete the SA456 to help Centrelink calculate your fee properly.

Keep in mind: your Home Care Package provider can’t collect your income-tested care fee unless Services Australia has done the calculation and confirmed the amount. So it’s worth getting this step sorted early to avoid delays in accessing services or misunderstandings about costs.

The Fees: How They Work

Before we get too deep into the paperwork, let’s look at how the Home Care Package fees are structured. There are three main components:

• Basic Daily Fee: This is an amount the provider may ask you to pay as a contribution towards the cost of your care. It’s set at up to 17.5% of the single basic Age Pension.
• Income-Tested Care Fee: This is what the SA456 is all about. It’s an extra amount you may have to pay based on your income above a certain threshold. The more assessable income you have, the more you may pay — up to an annual cap.
• Any Other Agreed Fees: You may agree to pay extra for additional services or upgrades if you choose, but that’s separate to the income-tested care fee.

The maximum income-tested care fee you can be asked to pay is capped each year, so there’s a limit to how much you can be charged, no matter how high your income is.

Breaking Down the Form

So, what’s actually in the SA456? It’s basically a snapshot of your income situation, so Centrelink can see what you earn and decide whether you need to contribute more towards your care.

Here’s what you’ll be asked for:

• Your Personal Details: Name, date of birth, customer reference number (CRN) if you have one, and your partner’s details if you have a spouse or de facto partner. This is because your partner’s income may also be taken into account.
• Financial Information: You’ll list things like income from investments, annuities, superannuation, rental income, overseas pensions, and any other regular income. If you’re still working (yes, some people on Home Care Packages do still work part-time!), you’ll include your employment income too.
• Supporting Documents: The form will ask you to provide proof of these details — for example, bank statements, payslips, or statements from your super fund.

The form also includes instructions and examples to help you figure out what counts as assessable income and what doesn’t.

How to Lodge the Form

Once you’ve filled in the SA456 and attached your supporting documents, you have a few options to submit it:

• Online: If you have a myGov account linked to Centrelink, you may be able to submit some parts online.
• By Post: You can post the completed form and documents to Services Australia.
• In Person: You can lodge it at your local Centrelink or Services Australia service centre.

It’s a good idea to keep copies of everything you submit. And don’t delay! The sooner they get your form, the sooner you’ll know what your contribution is.

What Happens Next?

After Centrelink receives your SA456, they’ll review your income details and work out your income-tested care fee. They’ll then send you a letter or a notification through your myGov account explaining how much you need to pay.

This income assessment stays in place for 12 months. After that, you’ll usually get a review to check if your circumstances have changed — for example, if your investments or income go up or down significantly.

What If Something Changes?

Life happens — and income can change. If your income changes, you must let Services Australia know. This could be a big change, like selling an investment property, or a smaller one, like a new pension payment starting. Keeping your details up to date helps make sure you’re paying the right amount — and not being under- or overcharged.

What If You Disagree with the Decision?

If you think Services Australia got it wrong, don’t panic. You have the right to ask for a review. This is called a review of a decision. It’s best to do this in writing and provide any extra evidence that might support your case. There’s no fee to request a review — and it can bring peace of mind to get it double-checked.

Some Practical Tips

Here are a few friendly tips to make handling the SA456 less stressful:

• Get help if you need it. If forms make your head spin, ask a trusted family member, your accountant, or an aged care financial adviser to help. Or phone Services Australia’s Aged Care line for guidance.
• Keep your paperwork organised. Hang onto bank statements, income statements, and investment reports. You’ll need them each year when your fee is reviewed.
• Communicate with your provider. Your Home Care Package provider relies on Services Australia’s assessment to charge your income-tested fee. Let them know once your fee is confirmed so you’re all on the same page.

Understanding Deeming

One thing that can catch people by surprise is the concept of “deeming.” For income test purposes, Centrelink doesn’t just look at the actual interest you earn on savings and investments. Instead, they “deem” that you earn a set rate, regardless of what your real return is. This is meant to simplify the system and treat everyone fairly.

The current deeming rates are published on Services Australia’s website. When you complete the SA456, you’ll need to list the total value of your financial investments so they can apply deeming rules.

Looking Ahead: Will the SA456 Ever Change?

The Home Care Packages Program is evolving — and so is how fees are calculated. The government has signalled more reforms under the new “Support at Home” program due in November 2025. This might see changes to the forms and processes used to calculate contributions. So it’s a good idea to keep an eye on Services Australia’s website and talk to your provider if you hear about policy updates.

Key Takeaway

Dealing with forms like the SA456 can feel daunting, but at the end of the day, it’s all about making sure your contribution to your care is fair and reasonable. It protects you from surprises and helps keep our aged care system sustainable for everyone.

Fill it out carefully, get help if you need it, and don’t hesitate to ask questions — you deserve to feel confident about what you’re paying and why. And remember, you’re not alone — there are experts, advisers, and friendly Services Australia staff who can help you navigate the details, so you can focus on living well at home for longer.