Overview of care allowance - hourly expenditure calculation 2025
Finding your way around care allowance can be confusing and confusing for many people. In particular, calculating the number of hours required and how to make the best possible use of the financial support can seem complicated. Whether you are caring for someone or seeking support yourself - in both cases, it is important to know exactly what you are entitled to and how you can access it.
This article provides you with clear information about the care allowance - from the required care periods, to the calculation and the application process. If the care allowance is increased, the person in need of care has more financial leeway and you as a carer receive a higher salary. So it's a win-win situation for both sides. Because we know how challenging everyday care can be and therefore want to be sure that everyone receives the financial support they deserve.
Susanne is a caregiver and lovingly looks after an elderly woman in her neighbourhood who needs care. She has problems coping with everyday life due to her physical impairment, so Susanne helps her with daily tasks such as household chores, shopping and visits to the doctor to enable her to lead a self-determined life. But no matter how hard Susanne tries to keep her financial outgoings in check, there is usually not enough money left over at the end of the month. We want to show people like Susanne how they can increase their income as a self-employed carer through various employment models.
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Case study: Care allowance for dementia patients
Mr. Mair, 80 years old, suffers from dementia. His daughter has applied for an increase in care allowance after his need for care increased due to his illness. After applying for new medical documents, Mr. Mair was upgraded from level 3 to level 5 of the care allowance.
The Care levels are used to determine what help and care a person needs in daily life. There are a total of seven care levels in Austria, which record the individual care requirements in hours and are supported with a corresponding amount of money. These guideline values or hours are determined for individual care needs, such as personal hygiene, assistance with mobility or meal preparation.
Increase the level of care: How you as a caregiver can actively support
Care is not just about the daily care and support of people in need of care - bureaucratic tasks often play a major role too. An appropriate care level is crucial for many of those affected in order to receive the necessary support. However, not everyone knows how to apply or which documents are required. This is where you come in as a caregiver to help raise the care level and thereby not only relieve the financial burden on the person in need of care, but also improve your own salary.
Many people in need of care and their relatives are unsure about how to apply for a higher care level or what they need to bear in mind. As a caregiver, you have experience and know what is important. You can help them to increase their care allowance.
Ministry of Social Affairs Austria - Care allowance
Pensionsversicherungsanstalt (PVA)
- Help with the application at the respective social and pension insurance institution
- Fill out the application (online or in paper form)
- Submission of medical documentation to support the higher care needs
3. Preparation for the MDK assessment appointment
A doctor from the health insurance company decides on the classification of the care level. It is therefore important to be well prepared for the visit of the assessor:
- Accompany the conversation to describe the current care situation
- Draw attention to limitations that are important for the care allowance classification (e.g. incontinence, dementia, reduced mobility)
"The care assessment is based on a points system in which at least 90 points must be achieved in order to receive care level 5." (Pflegehelden, 2025)
How does the care level calculation work?
The bureaucratic processes surrounding long-term care benefits can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to calculating the number of hours required. The calculation of care allowance is based on the number of hours of care required for daily tasks such as personal hygiene, meal preparation and mobility assistance."
Source: noracares, Care Allowance Calculation: How to calculate your care allowance hours and care level.
Check the care allowance levels table (2025).
Which tasks are included in the care allowance calculation and how are the care allowance hours calculated?
For the calculation of the care allowance, the following care tasks are taken into account:
- Daily personal hygiene and grooming (help with bathing and showering)
- Help with dressing and undressing
- Cleaning the apartment
- Prepare meals and assist with eating
- Assistance with walking and lying down, transferring from bed to armchair
- Assistance with taking medication
- Household tasks (e.g. cleaning, laundry)
- Exceptional maintenance for wounds, catheters or, dementia care
The calculation of the care allowance is based on the number of hours of care required for daily tasks such as personal hygiene, meal preparation and mobility assistance.
Care Allowance Calculator Table
Care allowance amount = care requirement (h/month) × factor (depending on the care level)
Calculate the monthly care times (hours/month)
Depending on the employment model, there are big differences in earnings and flexibility.
Agency model:
Nurses who work through an agency are firmly integrated into a system. The agency acts as an intermediary between caregivers and families and takes care of contracts, invoicing and, in some cases, accommodation and travel.
- Caregiver has little say in the choice of families or working conditions.
- Caregivers are integrated into a fixed system.
- The agency handles contracts, billing and, in some cases, accommodation and travel.
Mediation via noracares:
In contrast, noracares relies on direct mediation between caregivers and families, without high mediation fees or fixed requirements.
- Caregivers work independently and manage their own income.
- Direct negotiations with families allow for free pricing.
- The income can be significantly higher depending on experience and qualifications.
- Care workers have complete control over their working hours and flexibility.
- No placement fees - direct arrangements with families are possible.
If you prefer security and a fixed structure, an agency can make sense - but often with lower earnings and less flexibility. However, if you want more control over your working hours and income, noracares offers a flexible alternative where you can work independently as a caregiver - without agency fees and with greater freedom.
Care agencies put to the test
The Stiftung Warentest has examined 13 nationwide placement agencies for nursing staff. The result? "Satisfactory" at best.
The care allowance plays a crucial role in paying caregivers, as many families use it to finance care services. Therefore, the higher the care level, the more care allowance the person in need of care receives - and the more budget is potentially available to pay a caregiver. Self-employed caregivers can adjust their prices to the amount of care required and thus achieve fair payment for their services. By having a good knowledge of the care allowance classification, care workers can agree appropriate remuneration with families.
As in any other job, the more training a nurse can boast, the higher the pay.
Yes, it's definitely worth it if you can determine your own working conditions. About noracares you have the opportunity to work flexibly and agree your fee directly with the families.
No hidden expenses, no agency or support fees! For you, this means more income, more freedom and fair remuneration for your valuable work. Register and become part of the noracares community!
What funding is available for care workers?
Caregivers in Austria can claim various government grants and subsidies under certain conditions. Below you will find specific examples and the relevant funding agencies:
1. Promotion of 24-hour care
Persons in need of care who require 24-hour care and receive at least level 3 care allowance can apply for financial support. The amount of support varies depending on the type of employment of the caregiver:
- A self-employed care worker: monthly funding amount €400
- a dependent caregiver: monthly support amount 800€
- two self-employed caregivers: monthly funding amount 800€
- Two dependent caregivers: monthly funding amount €1,600
Funding agency. You can submit the relevant applications to Social Ministry Service submit.
2. nursing-scholarship
If you are training in the nursing field, you can get a Nursing Scholarship receive. This is granted for the duration of the training, but for a maximum of four years. The scholarship is aimed at job seekers as well as employees or self-employed persons who are on parental leave or have suspended their business for the duration of the training.
Funding Agency : The Labor Market Service (AMS) is responsible for the award.
3. subsidy for nursing training in Upper Austria
In Upper Austria, since September 2022, there has been a subsidy for people who complete nursing training, provided that the school is located in Upper Austria.
Funding agency : Land Oberösterreich
Calculating the care allowance and classifying it into the right care level can be complicated - especially if you don't know exactly what is important. This is because the higher the care level, the more benefits the person in need of care is entitled to - whether in the form of care allowance or benefits in kind. People in need of care often receive too low a classification because the actual level of care required is not sufficiently documented.
As a nurse you have the possibility, to actively help people in need of care receive the support they really need. You can help to ensure that a higher care level is approved by providing support with the application, documentation and attending the assessment appointment. This not only ensures better care and financial security for those in need of care, but also better working conditions and salary prospects for you.
If you want to determine your own working hours and organize your income flexibly, noracares offers you the opportunity to work independently as a caregiver and enjoy more freedom in your everyday working life.
