Local Federal MP Rebekha Sharkie intends to tackle what she calls “gouging” by some service providers of government funded Home Care Packages.

Speaking on ABC Radio Adelaide on Monday, the Member for Mayo said she would introduce a private member’s bill during the Spring session to try and rein in the administration and management fees applied to the packages.

“I think there is gouging in respect to administration fees," she said. "How can some (providers) only charge 15, 20 % and others charge up to 45 % of that whole package amount?”

She pointed out that while administration and management fees must be 'reasonable' there are no clear guidelines around the definition.

Ms Sharkie acknowledged that she could have a tough job to find support for her bill.

“I realise that I’m up against a very well-funded body that pushes back on any change, but I’ll keep working very hard at this,” she said.

Home care packages are funded by the Federal Government to enable people over 65 to get subsidised services such as cleaning, maintenance, personal care and respite to enable them to remain in their own homes.

They range from level one packages, which can provide up to just over $9000 in funding for basic care per year, to level four packages which can provide annual funds of around $52 000 for high-level care.

Ms Sharkie has surveyed Mayo residents about their experiences with using or waiting for a home care package.

She has had more than 1200 responses and that many were “quite concerning”.

She said about a third of respondents were still waiting to access a package, with about one in five waiting for more than 18 months after their initial assessment.

The myagedcare.gov.au site says people currently assessed as eligible for a level 4 package wait an average of 9 – 12 months before getting help.

Ms Sharkie said about 80% of the respondents to her survey said they received a statement from their providers but only about 64% understood what it detailed.

Ms Sharkie said this showed there was a need for far greater transparency and sharing of information that was understandable, “particularly with respect to the administration and management fee”.