If you are searching for a Level 2 home care package, you may be trying to understand what support is available for an older parent, client, partner or yourself.
For many older adults, one practical but often overlooked support is proper footwear. Supportive shoes can make daily walking, transfers, shopping, appointments and social outings more comfortable and safer — especially when a person has swollen feet, arthritis, diabetes, poor balance, orthotics or difficulty fitting into standard shoes.
At Barefoot Freedom, we help older Australians find supportive, wide-fit, extra-depth and medical-grade footwear designed for complex foot needs.
Important update: the Home Care Packages Program was replaced by the Support at Home program on 1 November 2025. Many people still search for “Level 2 home care package,” but the current aged-care system now uses Support at Home classifications and transition arrangements.
What Was a Level 2 Home Care Package?
A Home Care Package Level 2 was previously used for people who needed a low-to-moderate level of coordinated support at home.
Today, older people receiving ongoing Support at Home services are assigned one of 8 classifications, based on assessed care needs. Support at Home can include help with clinical supports, independence supports and everyday living tasks.
For people who transitioned from the old Home Care Packages system, the government lists a Transitioned HCP Level 2 funding amount of $4,955.44 per quarter and $19,821.76 per year, current as of 1 July 2026.
This means the phrase Level 2 home care package is still very commonly used by families, carers and providers, even though the official program name has changed.
Can a Level 2 Home Care Package Help With Shoes?
Footwear is not automatically approved just because someone has, or previously had, a Level 2 Home Care Package.
However, supportive or adaptive footwear may be relevant where it is connected to assessed needs such as:
- Mobility
- Independence at home
- Self-care
- Falls risk
- Swollen feet
- Foot deformity
- Arthritis
- Diabetes-related foot concerns
- Orthotics
- Difficulty wearing standard shoes
Under Support at Home, the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications scheme, also called AT-HM, provides separate supports for products, equipment and home modifications. My Aged Care states that AT-HM funding is separate from ongoing Support at Home budgets, and the provider is responsible for arranging and sourcing approved products and equipment.
The Support at Home provider manual also refers to self-care assistive products as including adaptive clothing or shoes.
So, the key question is not simply “Can I buy shoes with a Level 2 home care package?” The better question is:
Are supportive or adaptive shoes clinically and functionally justified for this person’s assessed needs?
When Supportive Shoes May Be Needed
Supportive shoes may be appropriate when regular retail shoes are no longer suitable.
This is common for older adults who have:
- Swollen feet or oedema
- Arthritis in the feet, knees, hips or hands
- Diabetes or reduced foot sensation
- Bunions or hammertoes
- A high instep
- Orthotics
- Reduced balance
- History of falls or near falls
- Difficulty putting shoes on
- Shoes that rub, slip or cause pressure
- Trouble walking safely in slippers or sandals
For a person on a Level 2 home care package or transitioned Support at Home arrangement, footwear may be part of a broader independence plan. The aim is often to help the person remain mobile, comfortable and confident at home and in the community.
How Barefoot Freedom Can Help
Barefoot Freedom helps older adults, families, carers and aged-care providers find footwear that is more suitable for complex feet.
We can assist with:
- Extra wide shoes
- Extra depth shoes
- Orthotic-friendly shoes
- Velcro shoes for older adults
- Shoes for swollen feet
- Shoes for arthritis
- Shoes for diabetes
- Shoes for balance and stability
- Medical-grade footwear
- Footwear for people who cannot fit into standard shoes
Our goal is to help the person find shoes that support comfort, mobility and independence — not just sell a standard pair of shoes.
A Simple Process for Families and Providers
Step 1: Identify the Problem
The person may be experiencing pain, swelling, poor balance, difficulty walking, pressure areas or trouble fitting into standard footwear.
Step 2: Speak With the Support at Home Provider
The provider can confirm whether footwear may be considered under the person’s support plan or AT-HM pathway.
Step 3: Get Clinical Support if Needed
Some cases may need input from a podiatrist, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, GP or other health professional.
This is especially important if the person has diabetes, wounds, reduced sensation, severe deformity or significant falls risk.
Step 4: Book a Footwear Fitting
Barefoot Freedom can help assess shoe width, depth, fastening style, sole stability and orthotic compatibility.
Step 5: Provide Product Details or Invoice
Where appropriate, Barefoot Freedom can provide product information or invoice details to assist the provider’s process.
Why Footwear Matters for a Level 2 Home Care Package Client
A person with a Level 2 home care package may still be doing many daily activities independently, but they may need support to stay safe and mobile.
Poor footwear can make everyday tasks harder, including:
- Walking around the home
- Getting to the bathroom
- Going shopping
- Attending medical appointments
- Participating in social activities
- Exercising or walking for health
- Getting shoes on and off independently
Good footwear can support daily function by making movement more comfortable, stable and practical.
Frequently Asked Questions
A Level 2 Home Care Package was part of the previous Home Care Packages Program. The program has now been replaced by Support at Home, but many people still use the older term when searching for aged-care support.
People who transitioned from the old Home Care Package system may have a Transitioned HCP Level 2 classification under Support at Home. The listed transitioned HCP Level 2 amount is $4,955.44 per quarter and $19,821.76 per year, current as of 1 July 2026.
Shoes are not automatically covered but easily can be with the assistance and equipment reccomendation of a physiotherapist or OT outlining that you will benefit from these shoes. Such reasons can be: mobility, independence, self-care, falls risk, swelling, deformity or difficulty using standard footwear.
Support at Home includes an Assistive Technology and Home Modifications scheme for approved products and equipment. The Support at Home provider manual refers to self-care assistive products as including adaptive clothing or shoes.
