Support at Home classifications 1–8 are the eight ongoing funding categories used for eligible people assessed under Australia’s Support at Home program. The classification is set through an aged care needs assessment. It determines a government funding budget, not a fixed list of services or a guaranteed number of care hours.
Key takeaways
- Support at Home has eight classifications for ongoing services. The Australian Government’s funding table lists quarterly and annual amounts for each.
- A trained assessor considers functional independence, how well a person’s needs are met, and compounding factors when determining a classification.
- The current eight-classification framework is different from the four Home Care Package (HCP) labels used for some transitioned recipients. The numbers are not interchangeable.
What are the Support at Home classifications?
A Support at Home classification is the funding level assigned to a person approved for ongoing services after an aged care assessment. The program has eight ongoing-service classifications. The Australian Government says each has a set funding amount, and the assessment determines which classification applies.
Support at Home replaced the Home Care Packages Program and the Short-Term Restorative Care Programme on 1 November 2025 (Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, retrieved 5 November 2026). It also includes separate short-term pathways. Those pathways are not additional levels within the ongoing classifications 1–8.
You may see people call them “Support at Home levels.” The important point is what the number represents: a funding classification in the current program. It is not a provider rating, a diagnosis, or a promise that someone will receive a particular service schedule.
How much funding does each Support at Home classification receive?
The government publishes a quarterly budget and annual amount for each ongoing classification. The table below is current as of 1 October 2026; the official participant guidance says these amounts include funding for care management and were increased to reflect the Nurse Award (My Aged Care, “Support at Home costs and contributions”, retrieved 5 November 2026).
| Classification | Quarterly budget | Annual amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2,757.89 | $11,031.56 |
| 2 | $4,120.89 | $16,483.55 |
| 3 | $5,645.23 | $22,580.93 |
| 4 | $7,632.04 | $30,528.15 |
| 5 | $10,202.32 | $40,809.27 |
| 6 | $12,365.48 | $49,461.91 |
| 7 | $14,944.20 | $59,776.80 |
| 8 | $20,073.50 | $80,294.00 |
These figures are funding budgets, not cash paid directly to a participant. The quarterly budget is used for approved services, and 10% is allocated to care management. Provider prices and the participant’s approved services affect how the budget is spent. Current My Aged Care guidance also allows up to $1,000 or 10% of the quarterly budget, whichever is greater, to carry over to the next quarter.
Funding amounts can change. The Department’s separate funding page still displays an earlier table marked current as of 1 July 2026, while the Department’s classification-assignment page and My Aged Care page agree on the figures above as of 1 October 2026. Check the current government funding information before making a decision.
What does a higher Support at Home classification mean?
A higher classification corresponds to a larger government budget, but it does not guarantee a set number of visits, care hours, or specific services. The person’s assessment and support plan identify which services meet their assessed needs. The provider’s prices and the service mix also affect what can be arranged within a budget.
This is why a classification number alone is not enough to compare two people’s care. They may have different approved services and needs, even if they have the same classification. The number describes the funding category; it is not an individual service plan.
For an overview of services and assessment pathways, see the official Support at Home program guide from My Aged Care.
How is a Support at Home classification decided?
A trained aged care assessor uses the Integrated Assessment Tool and professional judgement. The Department describes three main parts of the classification process: functional independence, how well a person’s needs are already being met, and compounding factors that can increase the need for support.
- Functional independence considers how a person manages activities such as dressing, walking, shopping, preparing meals, taking medicine, and housework.
- Needs met considers support available through the person’s own abilities, formal services, and informal help such as family support.
- Compounding factors include issues such as continence, social isolation, carer sustainability, frailty, anxiety or depression, and cognition.
The assessment tool records a person’s circumstances consistently, while the classification algorithm helps determine the funding category. A person does not choose their classification, and a diagnosis by itself does not tell you which number they will receive. The Department describes the process and examples in its classification assignment guidance.
If a person disagrees with an assessment decision, they or their registered supporter can request an internal review. If their care needs change, they can ask My Aged Care about a support plan review or reassessment. A review can consider the circumstances, but it does not guarantee a higher classification.
Are Support at Home classifications the same as Home Care Package levels?
No. Support at Home has eight ongoing classifications for people assessed under the current program. Four transitioned HCP classifications remain for people who were assessed as eligible for a Home Care Package on or before 31 October 2025. Under the transition arrangements, those participants receive funding equivalent to their approved HCP funding level while they remain in the transitioned arrangement (Department funding-classifications guidance, retrieved 5 November 2026).
That transition does not establish that HCP Level 1 equals Support at Home Classification 1, or that any other old and new numbers match. They belong to different frameworks. A transitioned HCP recipient who is reassessed and approved for a higher classification may move to a Support at Home classification under the program rules.
For background on the four former HCP labels and who they apply to, use our guide to Home Care Package levels. For more detail on a legacy level, see our Level 1 Home Care Package funding and support guide and our Level 2 Home Care Package funding and services guide.
What if care needs or funding status change?
If a person’s care needs change, contact My Aged Care to ask whether a support plan review or reassessment is appropriate. The assessor considers the person’s current situation; a change in needs does not guarantee a different classification.
Assessment approval and the timing of funding are also separate matters. My Aged Care explains that funding wait times depend on the services approved and the person’s priority category. Check the latest assessment outcome and funding guidance for current information, rather than relying on an old estimate.
Frequently asked questions
Are Support at Home levels the same as Home Care Package levels?
No. The current program has eight ongoing classifications. Some people assessed as eligible for an HCP on or before 31 October 2025 have one of four transitioned HCP classifications. Their transition funding is based on their former HCP funding; the numbers do not map one-to-one to the new classifications.
Does a classification guarantee a set number of care hours?
No. The official table lists dollar budgets, not an hours allowance. The services and visit frequency a person can arrange depend on their approved needs, available budget and provider prices. See the dated My Aged Care table in this guide.
Who decides a Support at Home classification?
A trained aged care assessor determines it through the assessment process, using the Integrated Assessment Tool and the classification framework. The process considers functional independence, needs already being met, and relevant compounding factors.
Can a Support at Home classification change?
A person can ask My Aged Care about a review or reassessment if their circumstances or care needs change. The outcome depends on the assessment; a higher classification is not guaranteed.
Are these funding amounts permanent?
No. They are published with an effective date and may change. The amounts in this guide are current as of 1 October 2026 and were checked against Australian Government and My Aged Care pages on 5 November 2026. Check the official funding guidance for the latest figures.
Editorial note: Information checked on 5 November 2026. The funding table is current as of 1 October 2026. Aged care program rules, funding rates, and assessment arrangements can change; confirm current details with My Aged Care before making decisions.
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