Understanding the 8 Support at Home Classifications

From 1 November 2025, Australia’s new Support at Home Program will officially replace the existing Home Care Packages (HCP) and Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) schemes. This change introduces a simpler, fairer, and more flexible system designed to match older Australians with the exact care they need, when they need it most.

Why Expand from Four to Eight Care Levels?

The new system moves from four HCP levels to eight Support at Home classifications, allowing for a more precise and personalised approach to care at home.

Instead of broad funding tiers, each classification reflects a specific degree of support from light domestic help to complex clinical and palliative care. This structure helps ensure:

• Older Australians can stay safe, independent, and well supported in their homes.
• Services and funding are closely aligned with changing care needs.
• Fewer people experience avoidable hospital stays or premature entry into residential aged care.

In addition to ongoing support, three short-term care pathways will also be available:

• Restorative Care Pathway – to help regain strength and function
• End-of-Life Pathway – for comfort-focused care
• Assistive Technology & Home Modifications funding – for safety and independence at home

The 8 Support at Home Classifications Explained

Each classification provides a set funding amount, issued quarterly and annually. Up to $1,000 or 10% of a quarterly budget can roll over for future needs (like mobility aids or home improvements).

If you currently receive a Home Care Package, your level will transfer directly into the equivalent Support at Home classification:

1. Minimal Support for Independent Living

For those living mostly independently, this level includes occasional help with light household tasks including cleaning, laundry, meal delivery, or short check-ins.
It’s designed to prevent decline and maintain self-sufficiency.

2. Light Personal Care and Social Support

Offers more regular visits for personal care like showering, dressing, or medication reminders. Also includes help with shopping, meal prep, and social outings to support wellbeing and community connection.

3. Moderate Assistance with Daily Living

Provides several weekly visits for routine hygiene, mobility support, and tailored meal preparation. Transport and regular cleaning are included, with added focus on fall prevention and cognitive support.

4. High-Frequency Personal and Domestic Support

Near-daily care helps with personal hygiene, meal prep, and maintaining home safety.
Homes may be fitted with rails or non-slip flooring, and domestic help is provided multiple times a week.

5. Daily Support with Health Monitoring

Care becomes more complex, with daily assistance for medication, catheter hygiene, and physical transfers (like hoisting). Transport to appointments and installation of monitoring devices may be included, alongside regular allied health input.

6. Comprehensive Health and Clinical Care

For people with significant or chronic health conditions, this level includes nursing care (e.g., wound management, injections, blood glucose checks) and regular therapy visits. Homes may be modified for safety, with specialist equipment to support continence and mobility.

7. Intensive Daily Multidisciplinary Care

Involves multiple daily visits from a coordinated care team such as nurses, allied health professionals, and carers. Support covers all aspects of daily living and is typically for people with severe mobility issues or advanced dementia.

8. Highest Classification – In-Home & Palliative Care

The most intensive level of in-home support, focused on comfort, dignity, and end-of-life care.  It may include 24/7 monitoring, specialised medical equipment, and overnight assistance.

Palliative care covers:

• Symptom management – Addressing pain, nausea, fatigue, breathlessness, and other physical challenges.
• Emotional care – Providing counselling and mental health support for the individual and their family.
• Spiritual and cultural support – Honouring personal beliefs, values, and end-of-life preferences.
• Practical assistance – Helping with care planning, legal matters, and everyday living needs.
• Coordinated care – A collaborative approach involving doctors, nurses, social workers, and other professionals.
• End-of-life support – Ensuring comfort, dignity, and guidance throughout the final stages of life.

Whether at home, in a hospital, aged care setting, or hospice, palliative care supports people to live with comfort and dignity for as long as they can.

How Support at Home Classifications Are Determined

Assessments are conducted via My Aged Care, using the Integrated Assessment Tool (IAT) via the Single Assessment System.
They consider your physical health, mobility, cognitive abilities, living situation, and existing supports. You can be reassessed if your circumstances change, for example, after recovery or illness progression.

Support at Home vs. Home Care Packages (HCP)

Feature	HCP (Current)	Support at Home (2025)
Levels	4	8
Funding Frequency	Annual	Quarterly
Flexibility	Moderate	High
Unspent Funds	Annual rollover	Limited quarterly rollover
Provider Choice	Restricted	Easier to change
Service Scope	Broad categories	Clearly defined
Care Planning	Provider-led	Consumer-driven
Focus	Basic-to-high support	Tailored, adaptive, person-centered care

This new model gives participants more control, transparency, and adaptability over how their care funding is used.

What It Means for You

• Your care level and funding will directly reflect your individual needs.
• You can be reassessed and moved to a higher classification as your condition changes.
• Current recipients keep their funding under the new system until reassessed.

What It Means for Providers

• Funding will be tied directly to assessed care levels.
• Greater transparency ensures resources are spent effectively and appropriately.
• Providers can plan more precisely around client needs and service delivery.

Making the Transition Work for You

Understanding these new classifications helps you make informed choices about the services that best fit your life.

The goal of the Support at Home Program is to support dignity, independence, and comfort, helping older Australians age safely and happily in their own homes. If you’re unsure where to begin, contact My Aged Care or an independent care coordinator for free, professional guidance through the process.