Did you know that Australia’s new Support at Home program has now replaced the earlier Home Care Packages Program, transforming how care is provided to seniors in Australia?
This change marks a major shift toward more flexible, personalised, and transparent aged care services.
Imagine being able to continue living in the house you love, the one that is full of warmth, memories, and familiarity, even as your care requirements change over time. The Support at Home program introduced by the Australian government in November 2025 focuses on giving older Australians greater choice and control over the type of care they receive. It ensures that the right care is delivered at the right time and in the right place, supporting independence, wellbeing, and quality of life.
What makes this program truly unique is that it is structured into 8 distinct levels, each designed to match the varying care needs of seniors, from basic assistance with daily living to more complex clinical and personal care. Understanding these levels is crucial, because receiving the right level of support can make a world of difference to your safety, wellbeing, and quality of life.
Read this guide to the end as we’ll break down each aspect and classifications of Support at Home Package for you, helping you confidently select the care that best suits your needs or those of your loved ones.
What is Support at Home?
An initiative of the Australian Government, the Support at Home program aims to help older people continue to live independently in their homes for extended periods of time. On 1 November 2025, this new program became effective, replacing and combining the previous Short-Term Restorative Care program (STRC) and Home Care Packages program (HCP). By providing coordinated care and services to address their identified age-related care needs, this program supports older people in staying in their homes as they age.
The goal of Support at Home is to enable senior citizens to remain in their homes for longer. It provides person-centred services to assist senior citizens with complicated issues associated to ageing. You can stay independently at home for longer by having better access to services, goods, equipment, and house improvements with this program.
What is offered by Support at Home?
You can access a specific list of services under Support at home that will help you live in your house longer. Clinical support, independence support, and everyday living support are the three primary categories in which it provides a variety of support. Additionally, the program offers particular short-term pathways for restorative care, end-of-life care, assistive technology and home modifications. You will be categorised according to your needs if you are determined to be eligible for the Support at Home Program.
| List of Services under Support at Home | Services |
| Clinical Support | Clinical supports include occupational therapy, podiatry, nursing care and care management to help asses and plan services. |
| Independence Support | Independence support consist of bathing, medication administration, transportation, home modification, social support and community engagement. |
| Everyday Life Support | Everyday living supports include daily task such as cooking, cleaning, gardening, shopping, home maintenance and repairs. |
| The Restorative Care Pathway | Restorative Care Pathway provides short-term care to help you regain function and stay independent through obtaining integrated allied health and/or nursing services. It enables you to engage in the things that you enjoy and reduces the need for more intensive ongoing services. |
| The Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) Program | You can get upfront financing to make your house safer or more accessible through the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) program. It provides you with the materials, tools, and housing modifications you need to fulfil your determined demands. |
| The End-of-Life Pathway | The End-of-Life Pathway could provide specific financing for programs that help elderly individuals stay in their homes during their final three months of life. |
Who is Eligible for a Support at Home Program?
General eligibility requires individuals to be:
- Individuals must generally be 65 years of age or older to qualify, or 50 years older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
- Those who are experiencing difficulties with everyday task due to age.
- Who are determined to require assistance to stay at home for longer, securely and independently.
Who is Eligible for a Support at Home Program?
General eligibility requires individuals to be:
- Individuals must generally be 65 years of age or older to qualify, or 50 years older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
- Those who are experiencing difficulties with everyday task due to age.
- Who are determined to require assistance to stay at home for longer, securely and independently.
Understanding the Eight levels of Support at Home
Eight levels or classifications of support are available under the Support at Home program, ranging from minimal assistance with transportation and household duties to extensive nursing and personal care. An aged care assessment determines your needs and goals, which will determine the level you receive. Each level reflects the kind and degree of assistance you require to live in your home securely and freely.
From lowest to greatest care demands, the following list summarises what is usually included at each level:
Level 1: Entry Level Support
People at this level are primarily self-sufficient, but occasionally require assistance with daily duties. The objective is to preserve independence and prevent any future decline in mobility or health.
Regular Services:
- Assist with meal preparation, laundry, or cleaning
- Basic house or garden maintenance
- Transportation for appointments or shopping
- Visits from friends or family
Level 2: Basic Support Needs
Level 2 is for people who still handle a lot of things on their own but require frequent help with everyday duties. The objective is to support safety and well-being at home by offering continuous, low-intensity assistance.
Regular Services:
- Domestic help multiple times a week
- Assist with meal preparation and planning
- Assistance with personal hygiene (e.g., clothing, showering)
- Occasionally, allied health services (such as podiatry or physiotherapy)
- Reminders for medications
Level 3: Low Support Needs
Level 3 is for those who require more frequent assistance to securely live at home, The objective is to handle everyday living and maintain health with a moderate level of assistance.
Regular Services:
- Personal care on a daily basis
- Preparing meals and providing nutritional assistance
- Assistance with transportation and shopping visits from nurses (when needed)
Level 4: Low-to-Moderate Support
Level 4 is for those who suffer from a chronic disease or decreased mobility. The objective is to offer complete in-home support.
Regular Services:
- Medication administration and routine nursing care
- Support for mobility and continence
- Ideal for those recovering from illness or those with chronic issues.
Reach out to Wise Choice in Home Care today, a trusted and reliable agency for government-funded aged care services in Fairfield, Sydney.
Level 5- Moderate Support Needs
Level 5 offers more advanced nursing, aligned health, and personal care services. People with growing care needs can use this level of service. The objective is to deliver comprehensive, high-quality care at home while maintaining dignity and independence.
Regular Services:
- Proficient services such as medication management
- Cater hygiene, and physical assistance (e.g., hoisting/ transferring)
- Monitoring by allied health specialists, such as physiotherapists.
Level 6-Moderate-to-High Support
Level 6 is for elderly people with complicated medical issues that call for multidisciplinary support. Regular nursing visits, pharmaceutical support, and advanced care planning are the goals.
Regular Services:
- Frequent nurse care, such as blood sugar monitoring, injections, and wound care
- Diverse allied health methods for everyday personal care
Level 7: High Support Needs
Level 7 is intended for people who need a lot of help staying at home. This involves providing continuous, high-quality care in multiple areas of life, frequently for people who are delicate or have mobility issues. The objective is to offer frequent nursing services, mobility assistance, and intensive personal care.
Regular Services
- A team of specialists, including nurses, allied health, and carers, provides regular services several times a day.
- To provide substantial home equipment and modifications (e.g., hospital beds) and overnight support
Level 8: Very High Support Needs
Level 8 is the highest level of in-home assistance. For severe, chronic, or fatal conditions, this level of in-home care is the most intensive. The objective is to provide the best possible in-home care while guaranteeing comfort, security, and tranquility.
Regular Services:
- The most comprehensive in-home care services for people with terminal, chronic, or advanced illnesses.
- Provides you support during the final stage of your life.
What is the Funding Classification for Support at Home?
Funding is allocated to each Support at Home participant based on their assesses needs. The funding levels for each Support at Home category are shown in the table below.
[Effective November 1,2025, the quarterly budgets and annual amounts are subject to revisions in July of each year in accordance with indexation.]
| Level | Quarterly | Yearly |
| 1 | $2,682.75 | $10,731.00 |
| 2 | $4,008.61 | $16,034.45 |
| 3 | $5,491.43 | $21,965.70 |
| 4 | $7,424.10 | $29,696.40 |
| 5 | $9,924.35 | $39,697.40 |
| 6 | $12,028.58 | $48,114.30 |
| 7 | $14,537.04 | $58,148.15 |
| 8 | $19,526.59 | $78,106.35 |
| Restorative Care Pathway | Around $6,000 (for up to 16 weeks) | |
| End-of-Life Pathway | Around $25,000 (for 12 weeks) | |
| Assistive Technology and home Modifications (AT-HM) Scheme | (For 12 months) Low- $500 Medium- $2,000 High- 15,000 (or more in few cases) | |
How to choose the right level for you? A guideline to determine your level:
Under the Australian Government’s Support at Home program, an individual’s level of support is decided via a formal assessment procedure rather than by individuals. A step-by-step procedure to getting evaluated and selecting the appropriate level for you is given below:
- Register with My Aged Care: To begin, get in touch with My Aged Care, which is the government’s gateway to aged care services. You can register by calling 1800 200 422 or register online at the My Aged Care website.
- Complete a Triage and Evaluation: You will be referred for an evaluation to determine your eligibility and particular care requirements after registration.
– A Regional Assessment Service (RAS) assessor will come to your house to look at your entry-level, basic support needs.
– An Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT), sometimes referred to as ACAS in some areas, will provide a thorough evaluation for more complicated or advanced care requirements. - Get a Classification Level (1–8): The assessor will look at your living situation, current support systems, mobility, social needs, cognitive function, and physical health. You will be classified into one of eight Support at Home classification levels based on this evaluation, which determines the kind and quantity of government support you are eligible for.
- Create a Support Plan: The assessor collaborates with you to develop a customised support plan that outlines your objectives, the particular services you are authorised to get (personal care, nursing, allied health, etc.), and how these services relate to your classification level.
- Get Funding Allocation: You will get a Notice of Decision letter after being accepted and given a priority level (urgent, high, medium, or standard). You will have a predetermined amount of time (50 days, for example) to select a provider and start services as soon as financing becomes available.
- Select a Provider and Begin Services: You decide on an authorised aged care provider to oversee your quarterly spending plan and organise the provision of your services in accordance with your support plan.
- Regularly Evaluate Your Needs: As you recover from illness or other circumstances, your needs may change. Regularly reviewing your care plan is essential, and if your needs change, you should ask for a reassessment.
Finding the “right level” requires an honest evaluation of everyday demands, which is properly carried out by assessors recognised by the government to guarantee proper funding and assistance.
Final Insights
Identifying the right amount of support at home is important for maintaining independence, comfort, and quality of life, not only for getting care. The Support at Home program acknowledges that each person’s path is unique. While some people might only need minor assistance with daily duties, others could need more extensive, continuous care to manage their health and well-being. Knowing the eight levels of support at home gives you and your family the ability to make decisions that are in line with your values, lifestyle, and health objectives. No matter your age or ability, home can remain your place of safety, connection, and enjoyment with the correct support.
We at Wise Choice in Home Care believe everyone should be able to live in their own home with freedom, self-assurance, and comfort. Our compassionate team is available to help you at every stage, from comprehending your alternatives for care and navigating the Support at Home levels to developing a customised care plan that genuinely fits your needs.
Make an appointment for an aged care assessment with My Aged Care. For more information about your support at home objectives and customised support alternatives, get in touch with Wise Choice in Home Care. Email us or visit our website to find out how we can assist you or your loved one be satisfied, secure, and supported at home, where you belong.
