If an older person’s letter says “Level 1 Home Care Package”, the date of the letter matters. Level 1 was the lowest of four Home Care Package (HCP) funding levels. The HCP Program ended on 31 October 2025, and Support at Home began on 1 November 2025. Some people still have a transitioned HCP Level 1 funding classification, while new approvals use the current Support at Home system.

Key takeaways

  • HCP Level 1 is a legacy label, not another name for Support at Home Classification 1.
  • My Aged Care lists the transitioned HCP Level 1 amount as $2,823.55 per quarter or $11,294.22 per year, current as of 1 October 2026. It is a program budget, not cash paid to the participant.
  • A person’s approved services, provider prices and contribution assessment affect how that budget is used. A level does not guarantee a set number of care hours.
  • If care needs have changed, ask My Aged Care or the provider about a support plan review or reassessment.

What was a Level 1 Home Care Package?

A Level 1 Home Care Package was the lowest funding level in Australia’s former Home Care Packages Program. It was intended for people assessed as having basic ongoing care needs at home, as described in the Department’s Home Care Packages Program policies. The assessment determined the approved level; a person did not select a level based on a preferred service list.

The label describes a funding tier, not a standard weekly schedule. Two people with HCP Level 1 could have different needs and approved supports. The support plan and the services arranged with a provider are more useful than the number alone when checking what help was funded.

The former program had four levels, from HCP Level 1 to HCP Level 4. For the full comparison of the old levels and what their names mean now, see Home Care Package levels explained.

What changed when Support at Home began?

Support at Home replaced the Home Care Packages Program and the Short-Term Restorative Care Programme on 1 November 2025. Under the new program, ongoing services are organised into eight classifications. People who transitioned from HCP are treated separately: they retain a transitioned HCP funding classification equivalent to their previous level for ongoing services (Department of Health, “About the Support at Home program”, retrieved 5 November 2026).

People who were approved for a Home Care Package on or before 31 October 2025 but had not yet received a place were also included in transition arrangements. When a place becomes available, they receive an ongoing funding level equivalent to their approved HCP level. This does not mean a new applicant can apply for an HCP Level 1 today. New assessments take place under Support at Home.

Check the person’s My Aged Care account, decision letter or provider records to confirm which arrangement applies. Approval date and whether a place had already been assigned can matter, so do not infer transition status from the words “Level 1” alone.

How much funding does a transitioned HCP Level 1 receive?

My Aged Care lists Transitioned Home Care Package classification 1 at $2,823.55 per quarter and $11,294.22 per year, current as of 1 October 2026. These amounts include funding for care management and are indexed each year. They describe the program budget for a transitioned HCP Level 1 participant, not money handed to the person or a guaranteed amount available for a particular service (My Aged Care, “Support at Home costs and contributions”, retrieved 5 November 2026).

A Support at Home budget is used for approved care and services. Providers set their own service prices, and the mix of services depends on the person’s assessed needs, support plan and budget. A provider’s published price list can help show how far a particular budget may go, but it is not safe to turn the annual amount into a fixed number of visits or hours. Those calculations vary with service type, provider pricing and the person’s situation.

The Department of Health’s funding page also displays a transitioned HCP table, but labels that table current as of 1 November 2025. Because rates can change, use the date shown with the amount and check My Aged Care for the most recent participant-facing figure. Before making a decision, confirm the person’s actual budget in their account or with their provider.

What services could Level 1 funding support?

The former Level 1 label did not guarantee a fixed basket of services. Support was based on a person’s assessed needs and approved plan. Depending on what was approved, home support can involve help with household tasks, meals, personal care, transport or social connection. More complex support may require clinical or allied health services where approved.

Under Support at Home, services are grouped into clinical supports, independence and everyday living. The current Support at Home service overview describes examples such as nursing and allied health, personal care, transport, domestic assistance, meals, gardening and social support. These current service descriptions help explain the program, but they do not mean that every service is automatically included in every transitioned participant’s plan.

Ask the provider to explain which supports are approved, their current prices, how care management is funded and what contribution the participant may need to pay.

Is HCP Level 1 the same as Support at Home Classification 1?

No. “Transitioned HCP Level 1” and “Support at Home Classification 1” belong to different funding arrangements. The Department lists four transitioned HCP classifications separately from the eight ongoing Support at Home classifications. It says transitioned participants keep an equivalent level of funding for ongoing services; if reassessed and approved for a higher classification, they move to a current Support at Home classification (Department of Health, “Funding classifications for Support at Home”, retrieved 5 November 2026).

The shared number does not establish a one-to-one mapping between an old HCP level and a current classification. For more detail on the current system, see Support at Home classifications 1–8.

What do contributions and provider prices mean for the budget?

The funding amount is not the same as a person’s out-of-pocket cost. Under Support at Home, providers set prices for their services and must publish a full price list online. Contributions depend on the type of service and the person’s financial circumstances. My Aged Care says clinical supports are fully funded by government, while other service categories may involve participant contributions. Its costs page also explains that people who were receiving or approved for an HCP on or before 12 September 2024 are protected by the no-worse-off contribution arrangements. That date relates to contribution protections; it is separate from the 31 October 2025 transition eligibility date.

Before agreeing to services, compare provider price lists and ask for a clear explanation of the participant’s service mix, contribution rates and budget statement. If something is unclear, check with the provider or My Aged Care rather than relying on an old HCP fee table. Funding, service prices and contribution rules can have different effective dates.

For an example of how needs and funding differ at the other end of the former scale, see Level 4 Home Care Package funding and support needs.

What if support needs have changed?

If the person’s current support no longer seems to match their needs, contact My Aged Care or the provider and ask whether a support plan review or reassessment is appropriate. A review can consider whether the plan or services should change. A reassessment may lead to a different classification, but it does not guarantee a higher funding level.

It helps to have the latest assessment decision, support plan, budget statement and provider price list available. Explain what has changed in daily life and what support is currently difficult to access. My Aged Care’s review and reassessment guidance explains how to request a review. For official help, call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422.

Frequently asked questions

Can new applicants get a Level 1 Home Care Package?

No. The Home Care Packages Program was replaced by Support at Home on 1 November 2025. New applicants are assessed under the current aged-care system; the transitioned HCP Level 1 label applies to eligible people moving from the former program.

How much is a transitioned Level 1 Home Care Package worth?

My Aged Care lists $2,823.55 per quarter or $11,294.22 per year for Transitioned Home Care Package classification 1, current as of 1 October 2026. This is a program budget, not cash paid to the participant. Provider prices, approved services and contributions affect how it is used.

Does Level 1 guarantee a certain number of care hours?

No. A funding level does not set a standard number of hours. Service prices and the person’s approved mix of supports vary, so ask the provider to explain the budget against the current service plan.

Can someone move from HCP Level 1 to a higher level?

A person can ask My Aged Care about a support plan review or reassessment if their needs have changed. The outcome depends on the assessment and is not guaranteed. A transition from an HCP label to a current Support at Home classification is not a one-to-one numerical upgrade.

Editorial note: Information was checked on 5 November 2026. Funding amounts and aged-care rules can change. Confirm the participant’s current budget and contribution arrangements with My Aged Care and their provider before making decisions.