What Does Each Support at Home Classification Level Cover?
The new Support at Home program’s eight classification levels range from light touch support through to intensive, around-the-clock care.
Each level is designed to align more closely with the needs of each individual, so that the right support is received at the right time. Below, we share a practical look into what each Support at Home classification level may include, and how it might be applied to a certain situation.
Level 1: Minimal Support for Independent Living
The Support at Home Level 1 classification is ideal for older Australians who are mostly independent but could use a little help now and then. This could mean having some assistance with light housework, occasional transport to appointments, or help preparing meals.
It’s a gentle form of support that helps maintain your independence and prevents small issues from becoming bigger ones. With this level, your Support at Home funding focuses on keeping you safe and comfortable, without taking away your self-sufficiency.
Level 2: Light Personal and Social Support
The Support at Home Level 2 classification adds more personal assistance where required such as with showering, getting dressed, or having more regular companionship visits to feel more connected.
The Support at Home funding at this level also helps cover light social support to keep you engaged and involved in your community; an element that’s just as important as physical health.
Level 3: Moderate Assistance with Daily Living
The Support at Home Level 3 classification provides more structured and consistent support, with weekly help available for diverse hygiene, mobility, and essential home tasks.
At this level, additional help with cooking meals that suit individual dietary needs, as well as early strategies for fall prevention or mild cognitive concerns, may also be included. The Support at Home funding levels continue to scale here, ensuring the required level of care without taking away from the individual’s autonomy.
Level 4: High-Frequency Personal and Domestic Support
The Support at Home Level 4 classification is ideal for those in need of daily assistance, including more frequent visits for showering, toileting, and dressing. It also covers regular cleaning and, where needed, small home safety upgrades such as grab rails or slip-resistant flooring.
These changes may seem simple but can make a big difference in helping an individual to reside safely in their own home, catering to the need for higher care while still promoting one’s ability to live independently.
Level 5: Daily Support with Health Monitoring
The Support at Home Level 5 classification introduces daily support that includes basic clinical care. This might involve help with taking medications, continence care, or regular home health monitoring to spot issues early.
Allied health professionals, such as physiotherapists or occupational therapists, may become more involved, helping you stay steady and well at home. The Level 5 classification focuses on preventing hospital visits and maintaining quality of life.
Level 6: Comprehensive Health and Clinical Care
The Support at Home Level 6 classification is suited for those individuals with ongoing or more complex health issues, and are in need of regular nursing care, physiotherapy, and/or occupational therapy.
The goal here is to manage health conditions such as diabetes, arthritis, or early dementia for example, all in the comfort of your own home. With more Support at Home funding available, the care provided at this level becomes proactive and tailored, while reducing the need for emergency interventions or hospitalisation.
Level 7: Intensive Daily Multidisciplinary Care
The Support at Home Level 7 classification is one of the highest Support at Home funding levels available, and is designed for people with high dependency. It may involve up to several visits each day from a team of carers and clinicians who work together to meet both your health and personal needs.
Support may include mobility aids, nutritional planning, pain management, and full personal care. This deeper level of support is provided without requiring the move into residential care.
Level 8: Highest Level of In-Home and Palliative Care
The Support at Home Level 8 classification provides the highest ongoing government subsidy for individuals with the most complex care needs. While it offers significant support for those living with advanced illness or requiring palliative care, it does not fund or guarantee 24-hour professional care. Instead, it provides a budget to be used toward clinical nursing, personal care, and symptom management to help maintain comfort and wellbeing at home.
For those in the final stages of life, this funding can be supplemented by the End-of-Life Pathway, which provides an additional one-off grant (currently $25,000 for up to 16 weeks). Together, these resources help families and carers manage a loved one’s needs, though they are designed to work alongside (rather than replace) informal family support or specialised state-funded palliative services. The focus of this level remains on providing dignity, peace, and personalised care to help residents stay in their own homes for as long as possible.
How Each Support at Home Classification Level Is Determined
Under the Support at Home program, each classification level is determined through a face-to-face assessment arranged via My Aged Care as part of the new Single Assessment System.
This assessment looks at an individual’s physical and emotional health, their daily routines, the state of their home, and what support is needed for them to stay safe and independent at home. This process matches an individual’s needs, health, and living situation to the appropriate classification level, ensuring their Support at Home funding accurately reflects the level of care and assistance required.
