Support at Home Classification 2: Who It’s For and How it Helps
Reading time: 6 minutes
Support at Home Classification 2 provides $16,035.64 in annual government funding, or $4,008.91 per quarter, for older Australians who need regular, reliable help to stay independent at home. This level of care is designed for people who are still largely self-sufficient but find that certain daily tasks are becoming more difficult.
It offers ongoing, scheduled support with things like showering, meal preparation, cleaning and transport, helping you stay comfortable, confident and connected without losing your independence.
Support at Home replaces the previous Home Care Packages (HCPs), expanding the former program from four levels to now eight classifications. This shift and expansion allows for more personalised support that’s better able to match your actual care needs as they change over time
Who is Support at Home Classification 2 For?
Support at Home Classification 2 is ideal for people who are mostly independent but need regular low-level care to manage safely at home. It provides the reassurance of consistent visits and a broader range of support than Classification 1.
You may be suited to Support at Home Classification 2 if you:
Need help with personal care or showering several times a week
Feel tired or unsteady doing household tasks or meal preparation
Rely on others for shopping, errands or transport
Find it harder to keep up with cleaning or laundry
Want regular companionship and a structured routine
Would feel more confident with someone checking in on your wellbeing
Your Fast Fact Sheet to Support at Home
We’ve compiled your fast guide to find the essential information you need to know about Support at Home.
Everywhere from determining your contribution, reviewing the key changes from Home Care Packages (HCPs), what this new aged care reform means for you, and so much more.
Simply download your guide at the button below.
What Does Support at Home Classification 2 Cover
Support at Home Classification 2 provides more frequent and structured assistance across key areas of daily living. Services are flexible and designed to maintain independence while preventing risks like falls, malnutrition and/or isolation.
Regular Personal Care
Gentle, regular assistance with personal care helps you maintain dignity and wellbeing, where examples include:
Help with showering, dressing and grooming
Toileting support if needed
Light mobility assistance around the home
Meal Preparation and Nutrition Support
At this level, carers can provide a slightly more hands-on help with food preparation and meal planning.
Preparing nutritious meals multiple times per week
Supporting grocery shopping and meal planning
Encouraging hydration and balanced eating
Household Support and Cleaning
A tidy, safe home makes a big difference to wellbeing.
Cleaning multiple rooms, including kitchen and bathroom
Laundry, ironing and bed linen changes
Tidying cupboards and light decluttering
Medication Management
More structured medication support ensures you stay on top of prescriptions and routines, with:
Regular reminders and checks
Assistance with prescription refills
Coordination with your GP or pharmacist if needed
Health and Safety Monitoring
Care workers at this level play a more active role in keeping you safe and well by:
Checking for changes in mobility, appetite or mood
Spotting hazards around the home
Encouraging gentle exercise to maintain strength
Quick Safety and Wellbeing Checks
Simple checks to help catch potential risks early. This could include:
Verifying heating, lighting, and essential appliances are working
Checking pantry or fridge for essentials
Spotting early signs of health or memory changes
Example: Meet Dorothy
Dorothy, 83, lives alone and enjoys gardening and reading. Lately, she’s been skipping meals and finds it tiring to shower or tidy the house. Her nephew noticed she’s become less social and hasn’t been attending her weekly book club.
With Support at Home Classification 2, a care worker visits four times a week to:
Assist with showering and dressing
Prepare nutritious lunches and dinners
Keep the kitchen and bathroom clean
Drive her to the local book club and help with shopping
Now, Dorothy feels more confident and supported, maintaining her routines, staying connected and enjoying her home without worrying about falling behind on tasks.
Budget and Funding for Support at Home Classification 2
Support at Home budgets are managed quarterly by Services Australia, with funding tailored to your assessed classification.
Quarterly Budget
Annual Budget
Level 2
$4,008.91
$16,035.65
Your funding covers the approved services in your Support Plan. It’s designed to provide dependable help where it’s needed most, with no unexpected fees for standard supports.
You can carry over up to $1,000 or 10% of your quarterly budget for unplanned needs, such as extra support while a family carer takes a break.
How to Apply for Support at Home Classification 2
Applying for Support at Home is straightforward, and you don’t need to navigate it alone. Here’s what to expect:
Register with My Aged Care
Begin by getting in touch with My Aged Care – the government’s central point for aged care services.
A quick initial screening will confirm if you’re eligible for a formal assessment
If eligible, you’ll be referred for a full in-home assessment using the Integrated Assessment Tool (IAT).
This assessment looks at your current health, mobility, home setup, and support needs
You may have a friend, family member, or advocate with you during the assessment
Receive Your Personalised Support Plan
After your assessment, you’ll receive a Notice of Decision that includes:
Your Support at Home classification and the level of funding assigned
A care plan that outlines recommended services and goals
Information about short-term supports if applicable
Enter the Priority System
Your care needs will be ranked as urgent, high, medium, or standard. This determines how quickly you receive funding.
Choose a Provider and Start Services
Once your funding becomes available you’ll have 56 days (or up to 84 days with an extension) to choose an approved provider
How We CareAbout You
When you don’t have all the pieces of a constantly-changing puzzle, it’s incredibly hard to make an informed decision – that’s where we come in.
Our Care Advisors cut through the noise, and simplify an otherwise complex process. We take the time to understand who you are, and what you need. We then present you with an expert-led recommendation – of course, the ultimate choice is yours to make.
CareAbout has been very supportive and informative. They have a wealth of knowledge and have helped me to make the best decisions for care for my mother and her particular needs.
Ian Ross
Home Care for self
Great service
Keith was so helpful and explained everything clearly. He made an appointment with a provider to help us and made the process seamless. We had the appointment today and are feeling very confident that we will be well cared for.
Francine Mulder
Home Care
The CareAbout team was thorough
The CareAbout team was thorough and very helpful with matching my dad with the right care provider. They asked a number of questions in relation to my dad and what care he would require moving forward. Would recommend CareAbout if you're looking into a care provider or wanting to change care providers.
Rebecca
Home Care for Dad
CareAbout made it so easy to find a nursing home
I was desperately looking for a nursing home that can provide respite care for my dad. Thankfully CareAbout has made it so easy. With just a few phone calls in the morning I was given a list of the suitable nursing homes, and in the afternoon I was able to find one that can accept my dad. Thank you for a great service!
Hung Bui
Nursing Home
Absolutely outstanding help and support
To be honest I didn’t expect much from CareAbout as I thought it would be an online only support, however my expectations were soon exceeded with the quality of help, support and continuous phone call follow ups to make sure I found an aged care facility for my dad. Billy made the process so easy and took the stress out of finding a suitable aged care facility.
