Support at Home Classifications 1–8 Explained (2026 Budgets and Services)

Since 1 November 2025, the Support at Home program replaced the four Home Care Package levels with eight ongoing funding classifications. Each classification corresponds to a quarterly budget amount determined by the recipient's assessed functional needs — not a broad label like "low" or "high" care.

Here's what each classification funds and how the system assigns them.

The Eight Ongoing Classifications

From each quarterly budget, a mandatory 10% care management fee is deducted. The remaining 90% pays for actual services.

How Classifications Are Assigned

The Single Assessment System (SAS) assessor conducts an in-home visit using the Integrated Assessment Tool (IAT). This computerized tool scores the recipient across 12 domains — cognition, continence, mobility, nutrition, skin integrity, pain, and more. Higher severity scores across more domains result in a higher classification.

The classification is not permanent. If a parent's condition deteriorates, families can request a reassessment through My Aged Care at any time. If the condition improves (common after restorative care), the classification may be adjusted downward at the next scheduled review.

Short-Term Pathways (Separate From Classifications)

In addition to the eight ongoing classifications, Support at Home includes three dedicated short-term funding streams:

• Restorative Care — up to $6,000 for time-limited rehabilitation (physiotherapy, occupational therapy) to restore function after a hospital stay or decline
• End-of-Life Care — up to $25,000 for palliative support allowing a person to remain at home during their final months
• Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) — a separate fund for equipment (mobility aids, hospital beds) and modifications (ramps, grab rails, bathroom renovations) that doesn't come out of the quarterly care budget

These pathways operate independently — a participant can receive ongoing Classification 4 funding while also accessing AT-HM modifications.

What Services Each Classification Covers

All eight classifications fund the same three service bands. The difference is volume, not type:

Clinical supports — nursing visits, wound care, allied health (physio, OT, speech pathology), medication management. Fully government-funded; no co-contribution regardless of income.

Independence supports — personal care (showering, dressing, grooming), continence management, transport, respite. Co-contributions range from 5% for full pensioners to 50% for self-funded retirees.

Everyday living supports — house cleaning, laundry, meal preparation, gardening, home maintenance. Co-contributions range from 17.5% for full pensioners to 80% for self-funded retirees.

Real-World Budget Example

A Classification 4 recipient ($7,617/quarter):

• 10% care management: $762
• Fortnightly nursing ($150/hr × 6.5 visits): $975
• Monthly OT ($150/hr × 3 visits): $450
• Weekly personal care (2 hrs × 13 weeks × $100): $2,600
• Weekly cleaning (1.5 hrs × 13 weeks × $95): $1,853
• Total services: $5,878 | Remaining buffer: $977

That $977 buffer sits safely under the $1,000 rollover cap, carrying forward to next quarter.

The Australia Home Care Guide includes budget planning worksheets and a provider comparison scorecard for families navigating any classification level.

See more Australia guides →