Worrying about how much home care services cost for someone you love can add even more stress to an already difficult time. In New Zealand, private agency care usually costs around $45 to $48 an hour on weekdays, with the exact price depending on the type of support you need.
Knowing the options and support that are available can help you understand what costs may be covered and plan for care with greater confidence. This guide sets out the typical rates, what moves them, and which costs you may not have to carry yourself.
Quick Summary
Private providers usually charge by the hour. Published figures put weekday rates at about $45 to $48 an hour.that indicate weekday rates are about $45 to $48, GST included. It usually costs more if care is needed in the evening, on weekends, or on a public holiday. The carer's travel time, need for clinical supervision, and the number of hours for care needed each week are several factors that affect the total cost of care.
If your loved one meets the criteria, subsidised support is available through the Needs Assessment and Service Coordination (NASC). For injury-related needs, the ACC also provides care and support. Many families also combine government-funded hours with private care to help ease the costs.
How Much Does Home Care Cost Per Hour in NZ?
Home care hourly rates in New Zealand can vary, depending on the kind of support your loved one needs and when it’s provided. Weekday personal care and housekeeping generally cost less, while after-hours visits will cost a little more.
| Type of support | Indicative rate (excl. GST) | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Housekeeping, meals and shopping | About $45 per hour | Weekday daytime visits |
| Personal care, such as showering and dressing | About $45 to $48 per hour | Weekday daytime visits |
| Evenings and weekends | About $67.50 per hour | Time and a half |
| Public holidays | About $90 per hour | Double time |
| Carer travel | 72 to 78 cents per km | Added to each visit |
Indicative only, based on published high-needs care examples and private home support examples. Rates vary by provider and region.
It’s always helpful to check whether a quote includes GST, since the 15% can add up quickly over a full week of visits. The location where care is provided can also affect private home care rates, which may vary between cities and rural areas. Comparing quotes and considering how location affects the final amount can help you decide which is best for your loved one.
What Home Care Services Cost Per Week
A straightforward weekly routine can cost a few hundred dollars, while daily high-needs care can pass $1,000 a week. Take a look at these examples:
- A light routine costs hundreds per week. Personal care three mornings a week, along with two housekeeping visits, totals around $434 weekly or about $22,550 a year in this example of private home support.
- Daily high-needs care can cost considerably more. Daily personal care, including housekeeping, may add up to around $1,280 a week. In this high-needs example, that amount includes GST but doesn’t cover overnight support.
Everyday essentials may also come on top of these figures. Overnight and round-the-clock arrangements are priced differently, so it’s best to talk through those separately.
What Affects the Cost of In-Home Care in NZ?
Six things move the price most: the type of care, the timing, the hours, travel, clinical needs and location. Understanding each one helps you read a quote with confidence.
- The type of care matters. Showering, dressing, help with pills, and other personal care needs often cost a little more than housekeeping.
- Timing changes the rate. Care provided in the evening, at weekends or on public holidays usually costs 1.5 to 2 times the weekday rate.
- Hours and frequency add up. Several short visits a day can cost more in travel than one longer visit.
- Travel is often charged separately. Many agencies charge per kilometre for the carer's trip to and from the home.
- Clinical needs add oversight. Complex care requirements may need registered nurse oversight, which is an additional cost in most high-needs plans.
- Location plays a part. Rates can be higher in some regions and in rural areas.
Our guide to home help for elderly people in NZ explains which tasks are usually included and can help you work out what support your loved one needs.
Government Funding, ACC and Private Top-Ups
Home care in NZ is financed through government funding after a needs assessment, ACC after an injury, privately, or a combination of any of these.
Funded Support Through a NASC Assessment
Te Whatu Ora, also known as Health New Zealand, funds home support for eligible older people. A Needs Assessment and Service Coordination (NASC) service decides what support fits. The assessment uses the interRAI tool and can take up to two hours.
NASC services are free for eligible New Zealand citizens and residents. Long-term household help also requires a current Community Services Card. Funded support can also be available for respite at home and carer support. A referral from your loved one's GP may also be needed.
Does ACC Pay for Home Care in NZ?
Yes. If the need is due to an injury that ACC has accepted, it may be able to fund home help and attendant care. This can include cleaning and personal care, such as help with showering and dressing. An assessor works out the type of support and the number of hours. Needs caused by ageing or illness go through NASC instead.
Private Care and Top-Ups
Private care needs no assessment, so it can start once a provider has the right carer available. Your family pays the private home care cost in NZ directly, at the agreed hourly rate. Funded hours may not cover everything a person needs to stay at home, so many families top them up privately. For short breaks, our guide on how much respite care costs covers funding for carer relief.
How Personal Assistance Prices Care
Personal Assistance prices each care plan around the person, so there is no one-size rate card. Our team currently support around 40 families each week across Auckland, each with their unique needs and care plan.
Your quote reflects the hours and type of aged care assistance at home in your loved one's bespoke care plan. Every carer is police-vetted and selected with due diligence by our directors. Registered nurses support clinical care where it is needed.
We will also talk you through where a needs assessment or ACC may be relevant to your situation. To compare providers fairly, our list of questions to ask aged care providers in NZ is a useful starting point. You can also read more about in-home care for the elderly in NZ and our in-home care services.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does rest home care cost per week in NZ?
Weekly fees for assessed long-term residents are capped by a regional maximum contribution. From 1 July 2026, the cap in Auckland City is $1,634.43 a week, including GST. Our guide to the difference between rest home and hospital-level care compares the options.
What is the average hourly rate for a caregiver in New Zealand?
Private agency care usually costs about $45 to $48 an hour, plus GST, on weekdays. Evening and weekend visits are around $67.50 an hour, and public holiday rates are higher. Rates can vary depending on the provider and the type of care, so it’s worth checking with your chosen provider for details.
What is included in the hourly rate for in-home care?
The hourly rate generally includes your carer's time and your provider's behind-the-scenes preparation and support, like scheduling and care plan reviews. Travel and GST may be charged separately, so asking for an itemised quote can help you understand exactly what’s included.
Who pays for in-home care in NZ?
It depends on the type of care needed. Health New Zealand funds assessed support for eligible older people through NASC, while ACC funds support related to injuries. Families cover any additional care privately.
Does ACC or a needs assessment cover home care?
Both can help, but for different reasons. ACC covers home help and attendant care when the need is related to an accepted injury. A NASC needs assessment can open the door to government funding for age-related or health needs, such as personal care and household help.
Talk Through the Costs With Us
Every care journey begins with a conversation. Tell us what your loved one is going through, and together we’ll explore the next steps.
Call our Personal Assistance team at 021 226 5925 or 021 227 9448. You may also send us a message, and we'll get back to you within the day.
Knowing how much home care services cost, as it applies to your mum or dad or any elderly relative in need, is the first step in providing the care they truly deserve.
References
Eldernet. (2025, October 13). How much does private home support (home help) cost? https://www.eldernet.co.nz/knowledge-lab/home-community/home-support/how-much-does-private-home-support-home-help-cost
Eldernet. (2026, May 28). How much does home help for those with high needs cost? https://www.eldernet.co.nz/knowledge-lab/home-community/home-support/how-much-does-home-help-for-those-with-high-needs-cost
Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora. (n.d.). Needs Assessment Service Coordination: Auckland (North and West). https://info.health.nz/locations/auckland/auckland-north-west/needs-assessment-service-coordination-auckland-north-west
Healthpoint. (2026, May 27). Needs Assessment & Service Co-ordination (NASC) | Counties Manukau. https://healthpoint.co.nz/public/older-peoples-health/needs-assessment-service-co-ordination-nasc-2/
Ministry of Social Development. (2024, August 9). Help at home after an injury: A guide for carers. https://msd.govt.nz/what-we-can-do/community/carers/guide-for-carers/money/financial-support/help-at-home-after-an-injury.html
Work and Income. (2026, July 1). Territorial Local Authority maximum contribution rates (current). Ministry of Social Development. https://map.workandincome.govt.nz/map/deskfile/extra-help-information/residential-care-subsidy-tables/territorial-local-authority-maximum-contribution-r.html