Additional hours of support may be available for people with a disability who need more than 15 hours per week of help from Home Care Service to continue living at home. This service is called ‘High Need Pool’.

What is High Need Pool?

High Need Pool (HNP) is high level service funded through the Home and Community Care (HACC) program. The minimum amount of help provided is 15 hours per week and the maximum is 35 hours per week.

Who delivers this service?

The Home Care Service of NSW is the sole funded provider of High Need Pool. Home Care services that may be approved as part of the High Need Pool support are:

• personal care
• domestic assistance
• respite 
• home maintenance.

Who is eligible?

High Need Pool is open to people with a disability and their carers, who require more than 15 hours per week and a maximum of 35 service hours per week.

The amount of approved hours will be determined by a number of factors including:

• assessed need
• available resources.

Being eligible does not guarantee you will receive a service. Places are limited and priority is based on need.

How to apply

To apply, you need to complete the application form (DOC).

Applications are accepted directly by our Attendant Care and Physical Disability Unit.

An application register is maintained when there are more applicants than places.

High Need Pool Guidelines

The HNP Guidelines are currently being reviewed in line with the new Community Care Common Standards (the Common Standards) and the recent Council of Australian Governments (COAG) reforms to aged care and disability programs. An interim Fact Sheet shall be released shortly providing an overview of the essential service features of the HNP.

For more information

For further information about the High Need Pool, contact our Attendant Care and Physical Disability Unit.