A Level 4 Home Care Package was the highest of the four funding levels under the former Home Care Packages Program. Since Support at Home began on 1 November 2025, Level 4 is a transitioned classification for eligible people with an existing Home Care Package approval, not a level that new applicants can choose.

The old label still appears in letters and family conversations. What matters now is whether the person has a transitioned HCP Level 4 classification, what their support plan approves, and what the provider charges. This guide explains those points without turning a funding amount into a promise of care hours. For an explanation of all four legacy levels and the broader transition, see our Home Care Package levels overview.

Key takeaways

  • HCP Level 4 was the former program’s highest level; it is now called Transitioned HCP Level 4 for eligible people who moved into Support at Home.
  • People assessed as eligible for an HCP on or before 31 October 2025 may receive a transitioned classification equivalent to their approved HCP level when funding is available.
  • A Level 4 label does not guarantee a particular service list or number of care hours. Services depend on the approved plan and provider prices.
  • A government funding page lists July 2026 figures, while a newer My Aged Care page has an inconsistent Level 4 table row for October 2026. Check the current amount directly before making a budget decision.

What does a Level 4 Home Care Package mean now?

A Level 4 Home Care Package was the fourth and highest funding level under the former Home Care Packages Program. It does not mean the person now holds Support at Home ongoing Classification 4.

Support at Home replaced the Home Care Packages Program and the Short-Term Restorative Care Programme on 1 November 2025. The Department describes four transitioned HCP classifications alongside the new program’s eight ongoing classifications (Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, About the Support at Home program, retrieved 5 November 2026). The labels come from different arrangements and are not interchangeable.

The old Home Care Packages Program no longer accepts new package-level approvals. People assessed under Support at Home are assigned an ongoing classification through that program’s assessment process. If the person has an old letter saying “Level 4”, check whether it describes an approved HCP before the transition or the transitioned classification now recorded for them.

Who can have a Transitioned HCP Level 4 classification?

A person may have Transitioned HCP Level 4 if they were assessed as eligible for a Home Care Package on or before 31 October 2025 and their approved level was Level 4. People already receiving a package moved to an equivalent funding level. People approved but waiting for funding were transitioned to the Support at Home Priority System and receive an equivalent HCP level when a place becomes available (Department funding classifications, retrieved 5 November 2026).

The approved level is not a self-selected option. A person who is reassessed and approved for a higher classification moves to a Support at Home classification under the current program. Reassessment does not guarantee a higher classification; it is the assessment decision that determines the result.

If you are unsure which arrangement applies, use the person’s assessment outcome or funding letter and confirm the record with My Aged Care on 1800 200 422. The Department’s funding classifications page also explains how transitioned HCP levels are handled.

How much funding does Level 4 provide?

The Department’s funding page lists Transitioned HCP Level 4 at $16,353.98 per quarter and $65,415.91 per year, with those transitioned rates marked current as of 1 July 2026. These are dated figures, not a statement of the amount currently in force after later adjustments.

There is an important update to check. My Aged Care’s Support at Home costs and contributions page, retrieved 5 November 2026, says transitioned amounts are current as of 1 October 2026 and were increased to reflect the Nurse Award. However, the Level 4 row displays $65,543.98 under “Quarterly budget” and $16,385.99 under “Annual amount”, which conflicts with the surrounding rows and the expected scale of the columns. We cannot safely relabel those values or infer the correct amount from the level name.

Before using a Level 4 amount in a personal budget, ask My Aged Care or the provider to confirm the current quarterly and annual figures in writing. The Department says funding amounts are indexed and subject to change; confirm the effective date as well as the amount. Do not treat the July figures above as the latest October rate.

What services can a Level 4 budget support?

A transitioned HCP Level 4 budget can support services approved for the person’s assessed needs. The level itself is not a guarantee that every service is approved or included in a package.

The Department’s Support at Home service list includes examples such as nursing, allied health, personal care, domestic assistance, meal preparation or delivery, transport, social support, respite, and some home maintenance. The list also describes what falls outside the program or should be funded through other systems. The person’s support plan and individualised budget determine which services are approved for them.

Assistive technology and home modifications may be funded through the separate Assistive Technology and Home Modifications scheme, subject to its assessment and funding rules. Do not assume a large equipment purchase is covered by the ordinary quarterly service budget. Ask the provider to show which approval and funding account would apply before agreeing to a purchase.

Since 1 October 2026, approved personal care under Support at Home is classified as a clinical support and the Australian Government fully funds the service when it is approved in the support plan and funding is available (My Aged Care personal care contribution changes, retrieved 5 November 2026). Other service categories may have participant contributions; confirm the person’s circumstances with My Aged Care or their provider.

Does a Level 4 package guarantee a set number of care hours?

No. There is no universal number of hours attached to a Level 4 Home Care Package. The amount of support a person can arrange depends on the services in their plan, provider prices, when services are delivered, and how the budget is allocated.

My Aged Care notes that providers set their service prices and that those prices are paid from the person’s budget. Two people with the same transitioned level may therefore arrange different support. A weekly-hours estimate taken from another person’s package or a provider’s general example is not a reliable entitlement figure.

Ask the provider for a written budget that shows each approved service, its price, expected frequency, any contribution, and the amount remaining. Compare the provider’s full price list with the person’s needs rather than using the Level 4 label as an hours calculator.

What should families check about contributions and unspent funds?

A person’s contributions depend on the type of service, their financial assessment and when they were approved. Some people who received or were approved for a Home Care Package on or before 12 September 2024 have “no worse off” protections under Support at Home. This is separate from the 31 October 2025 cutoff for transitioned package classifications. Check the person’s letter and current contribution notice rather than assuming the protection applies to everyone with an HCP Level 4 label.

People who moved from the former HCP program retained their unspent HCP funds. The Department funding classifications page says these funds can be used for eligible assistive technology and home modifications, or for extra services once the quarterly budget is spent; they are not an unrestricted cash balance (retrieved 5 November 2026).

For an individual estimate, use the Support at Home fee estimator on My Aged Care and ask the provider to explain how each service will draw on the budget.

What if the person’s current support no longer meets their needs?

If the person’s health, safety or daily support needs have changed, contact My Aged Care to request a support plan review or reassessment. The assessor reviews the person’s needs and decides whether the existing plan should change or whether a reassessment is needed; a review does not guarantee more funding.

When speaking with a provider, ask which approved need each service addresses, what it costs, how often it can be delivered, what care management is included, and how the budget will be monitored. Also ask how to request a change if the person’s needs increase or a service is no longer suitable.

For context on the former level below Level 4, see our Level 3 aged care package guide. The former entry tier is covered in our Level 1 Home Care Package guide. These are comparisons of old HCP levels, not mappings to Support at Home classifications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply for a Level 4 Home Care Package now?

No. The Home Care Packages Program was replaced on 1 November 2025. New applicants are assessed under Support at Home rather than choosing an HCP level. Transitioned HCP Level 4 applies to eligible people from the former program.

Is Transitioned HCP Level 4 the same as Support at Home Classification 4?

No. Transitioned HCP Level 4 is a retained classification for people who moved from the former HCP program. Support at Home Classification 4 is one of eight ongoing classifications for people assessed under the current program. The numbers do not establish a direct match.

How many hours does a Level 4 Home Care Package provide?

There is no fixed hours figure. Hours depend on the services approved in the person’s plan and the provider’s prices. Ask for an individual budget rather than relying on a generic estimate.

Can Level 4 funding pay for home modifications?

Some assistive technology and home modifications may be available through the separate Support at Home scheme, subject to assessment and funding rules. Confirm the person’s approval and funding source before purchasing equipment or arranging work.

What happens to unspent Home Care Package funds after the transition?

The Department says transitioned HCP recipients retained their unspent funds for specified purposes, including eligible assistive technology and home modifications or extra services after the quarterly budget is used. Check current rules before committing the funds.

What should I do if a current support plan is no longer enough?

Contact My Aged Care about a support plan review or reassessment. Explain what has changed and ask the provider to review the service mix and budget. The outcome depends on the assessment; increased funding is not automatic.

Editorial note: Transition and service information was checked against Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing and My Aged Care pages on 5 November 2026. The Department funding page lists transitioned HCP4 amounts current as of 1 July 2026. My Aged Care’s page reports an October 2026 update but displays an internally inconsistent Level 4 table row; confirm the current amount directly before making a financial decision. Aged care rules and funding can change.