Under Support at Home, older Australians who are approved for ongoing services are assigned 1 of 8 funding classifications. The higher the classification, the higher the level of funding available to meet assessed care needs. Each classification has a set quarterly budget and annual amount, and the published amounts include 10% allocated to care management. The current classification amounts are effective from 1 November 2025 and are indexed in July each year.
Through Careseekers, understanding your classification helps you work out what kind of support you can reasonably arrange, how often support may be delivered, and whether you want to use funded support, private support, or a mix of both. If your approved provider agrees, they can pay Careseekers directly for eligible services delivered through the platform, and you can still choose the worker who best suits your needs and routine.
The short answer
Support at Home has 8 ongoing funding levels.
The current quarterly budgets are:
- Classification 1: $2,682.75
- Classification 2: $4,008.61
- Classification 3: $5,491.43
- Classification 4: $7,424.10
- Classification 5: $9,924.35
- Classification 6: $12,028.58
- Classification 7: $14,537.04
- Classification 8: $19,526.59
The current annual amounts are:
- Classification 1: $10,731.00
- Classification 2: $16,034.45
- Classification 3: $21,965.70
- Classification 4: $29,696.40
- Classification 5: $39,697.40
- Classification 6: $48,114.30
- Classification 7: $58,148.15
- Classification 8: $78,106.35
What do the funding levels mean?
Your Support at Home classification reflects the level of care and support you have been assessed as needing.
In simple terms:
- lower classifications are for people with lower ongoing support needs
- higher classifications are for people with more complex or frequent support needs
- the more care you need, the higher your classification is likely to be.
How do I know what my classification is?
After you are approved for Support at Home, you receive a Notice of Decision and your support plan. That will include:
- a summary of your aged care needs and goals
- your classification
- your ongoing quarterly budget
- any approved short-term supports, where relevant.
The short answer
Support at Home has 8 ongoing funding levels.
The current quarterly budgets are:
- Classification 1: $2,682.75
- Classification 2: $4,008.61
- Classification 3: $5,491.43
- Classification 4: $7,424.10
- Classification 5: $9,924.35
- Classification 6: $12,028.58
- Classification 7: $14,537.04
- Classification 8: $19,526.59
The current annual amounts are:
- Classification 1: $10,731.00
- Classification 2: $16,034.45
- Classification 3: $21,965.70
- Classification 4: $29,696.40
- Classification 5: $39,697.40
- Classification 6: $48,114.30
- Classification 7: $58,148.15
- Classification 8: $78,106.35
What do the funding levels mean?
Your Support at Home classification reflects the level of care and support you have been assessed as needing.
In simple terms:
- lower classifications are for people with lower ongoing support needs
- higher classifications are for people with more complex or frequent support needs
- the more care you need, the higher your classification is likely to be.
How do I know what my classification is?
After you are approved for Support at Home, you receive a Notice of Decision and your support plan. That will include:
- a summary of your aged care needs and goals
- your classification
- your ongoing quarterly budget
- any approved short-term supports, where relevant.
Do I get the full annual budget at once?
No.
Your assigned annual budget is split into 4 quarterly budgets. You receive access to the full amount of each quarterly budget at the start of the quarter. If you enter Support at Home during the middle of a quarter, you receive a pro-rata amount for that first period.
What can I use the funding for?
You can use your budget for services that match your Notice of Decision and support plan.
Support at Home services are grouped into:
- clinical supports
- independence services
- everyday living services. ough Careseekers, older Australians commonly use workers for support such as:
- personal care
- domestic support
- companionship
- transport
- respite
- overnight support
- dementia and palliative support, depending on the arrangement. How do the funding levels work with Careseekers?
Your funding level helps shape how much support you may be able to arrange, but it does not decide who provides that support.
Through Careseekers, you can:
- compare worker profiles
- view experience, availability and hourly rates
- choose the worker who best suits your needs
-
arrange one-off, occasional or ongoing support. your approved provider agrees, they can pay Careseekers directly from your government funding for eligible services delivered through the platform. You can also use Careseekers for private support if you want extra flexibility or additional services outside your funded arrangement.
Does care management come out of the budget?
Yes.
For ongoing services, 10% of each quarterly budget is allocated to care management. That means the published classification amounts already include that care management allocation.
Can I carry over unspent funds?
Yes, but only up to a limit.
If you are receiving ongoing services, you can carry over unspent funds into the next quarter up to $1,000 or 10% of your quarterly budget, whichever is greater.
What if I used to have a Home Care Package?
Some people moved into Support at Home from the old Home Care Packages system.
If you were already in that system, you may have moved across under a transitioned Home Care Package classification rather than one of the 8 new ongoing classifications. The transitioned quarterly budgets and annual amounts are published separately.
What about short-term funding?
Support at Home also includes short-term pathways and separate funding arrangements, including:
- Restorative Care Pathway
- End-of-Life Pathway
- Assistive Technology and Home Modifications scheme. se sit outside the main 8 ongoing classifications.
What should I check before arranging support?
Before you book support, it helps to be clear on:
- your Support at Home classification
- your quarterly budget
- what support is included in your plan
- whether your provider will pay through Careseekers
- whether you want funded support only, or funded plus private support
- what kind of worker best suits your needs and routine. Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
How many Support at Home funding levels are there?
There are 8 ongoing Support at Home funding classifications. Your classification reflects the level of ongoing support you have been assessed as needing.
How do I find out my Support at Home funding level?
Your classification is set after your aged care assessment and should appear in your Notice of Decision and support plan.
What is the lowest Support at Home funding level?
The lowest ongoing level is Classification 1, with a quarterly budget of $2,682.75 and an annual amount of $10,731.00.
What is the highest Support at Home funding level?
The highest ongoing level is Classification 8, with a quarterly budget of $19,526.59 and an annual amount of $78,106.35.
Do I get my whole Support at Home budget at once?
No. Ongoing Support at Home funding is split into 4 quarterly budgets, released across the year.
Does care management come out of my Support at Home budget?
Yes. 10% of each quarterly budget is allocated to care management.
Can I carry over unspent Support at Home funds?
Yes, but only up to a limit. You can carry over up to $1,000 or 10% of your quarterly budget, whichever is greater, into the next quarter.
Can I use my Support at Home funding with Careseekers?
Yes, in many cases. If your approved aged care provider agrees, they can pay Careseekers directly for eligible services delivered through the platform.
Can I still use Careseekers if my funding does not cover everything?
Yes. You can also use Careseekers for private aged care support, either on its own or alongside eligible funded services.
Does my funding level decide which worker I can choose?
No. Your funding level affects how much support you may be able to arrange, but you can still compare workers and choose the person who best suits your needs, preferences and routine.
What happens if I moved over from a Home Care Package?
Some people moved into Support at Home under a transitioned Home Care Package classification rather than one of the 8 new ongoing classifications. Those transitioned amounts are published separately.
Read: How Does Support at Home Work with Careseekers?
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