How it works
Understand the steps, fees, and support available to access Support at Home funding.
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Support at Home Funding Levels Explained
Understanding your home care funding can help you make informed decisions about your care.
Support at Home has eight funding classifications based on your assessed care needs. If you transitioned from the previous Home Care Packages program, different funding arrangements may apply.
At HCA Home Care, our experienced team can help you understand how your funding works, what your available budget means for your care and the options available if your needs change.
How Much Home Care Funding Can I Get?
The amount of government funding available for your home care depends on your individual circumstances and assessed care needs.
Under Support at Home, people approved for ongoing services are assigned one of eight funding classifications. Each classification has a set quarterly budget that can be used towards approved care and services.
If you were receiving or approved for a Home Care Package before Support at Home commenced on 1 November 2025, transitional arrangements may apply instead.
Support at Home Classifications 1–8
Your Support at Home classification is determined through your aged care assessment. Generally, the greater and more complex your assessed care needs, the higher your classification and available funding.
Funding amounts current as of 1 October 2026 and are subject to government indexation.
| Classification Level | Quarterly Budget | Annual Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Classification 1 | $2,757.89 | $11,010.01 |
| Classification 2 | $4,120.89 | $16,451.35 |
| Classification 3 | $5,645.23 | $22,536.81 |
| Classification 4 | $7,632.04 | $30,468.51 |
| Classification 5 | $10,202.32 | $40,729.53 |
| Classification 6 | $12,365.48 | $49,365.27 |
| Classification 7 | $14,944.20 | $59,660.00 |
| Classification 8 | $20,073.50 | $80,137.12 |
Transitioned Home Care Package Funding
If you were receiving a Home Care Package when Support at Home commenced, you weren’t simply moved across to one of the new eight classifications.
Existing Home Care Package recipients transitioned into Support at Home with an equivalent Transitioned Home Care Package funding level.
Funding amounts current as of 1 October 2026 and are subject to government indexation.
| Previous HCP Level | Transitioned Funding Level | Quarterly Budget | Annual Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Care Package Level 1 | Transitioned HCP Level 1 | $2,818.04 | $11,272.15 |
| Home Care Package Level 2 | Transitioned HCP Level 2 | $4,955.44 | $19,821.76 |
| Home Care Package Level 3 | Transitioned HCP Level 3 | $10,787.18 | $43,148.74 |
| Home Care Package Level 4 | Transitioned HCP Level 4 | $16,353.98 | $65,415.91 |
Home Care Funding FAQs
Understanding how your funding works can help you make informed decisions about your care. Here are answers to some of the most common questions about Support at Home funding, transitioned Home Care Packages and additional support.
How is My Funding Classification Decided?
You don’t choose your Support at Home classification. It is determined through your aged care assessment based on your individual care needs.
Your assessment considers areas such as your health, mobility, ability to manage everyday activities, living arrangements and the support you currently have around you.
The outcome helps determine the services you’re eligible for and the level of ongoing funding you receive.
If your needs change over time, you can request a reassessment through My Aged Care. If you’re assessed as needing a higher level of support, you may be approved for a higher classification.
How Does My Quarterly Budget Work?
Support at Home funding for ongoing services is allocated in quarterly budgets. Your quarterly budget is based on your classification and is available to pay for approved services that meet your assessed needs.
If you don’t use your entire budget during the quarter, you can generally carry over up to $1,000 or 10% of your quarterly budget, whichever is greater, into the next quarter.
This gives you some flexibility to plan your care while ensuring your funding is being used to support your current needs.
What Is the 10% Care Management Allocation?
Under Support at Home, 10% of your quarterly ongoing services budget is allocated to care management.
Care management helps make sure your services continue to meet your needs. It can include coordinating your care, reviewing your care plan, managing changes in your circumstances and helping you get the right mix of services.
This means the amount available to spend directly on services is different from the total funding amount shown for your classification.
What If I Was Approved for a Home Care Package but Still Waiting for Funding?
If you were approved for a Home Care Package by 31 October 2025 but were still waiting for funding, you transitioned into the Support at Home priority system.
When a place becomes available, you receive an ongoing funding level equivalent to the Home Care Package level you were approved for.
If your needs later change and you are reassessed for a higher level of support, you may then be approved for one of the eight Support at Home classifications.
What Happens to Unspent Home Care Package Funds?
If you transitioned from a Home Care Package and had eligible unspent funds, you retain access to those funds under Support at Home.
These funds can be used for eligible purposes, including additional approved services once your quarterly budget has been used, as well as eligible assistive technology and home modifications.
Unlike standard Support at Home quarterly budgets, the usual quarterly carryover limit does not apply to these transitioned unspent Home Care Package funds.
Can I Get Additional Funding?
Restorative Care Pathway
Short-term, goal-focused support designed to help you regain or maintain independence following illness, injury or a change in your abilities. Funding of around $6,000 is available for up to 16 weeks.
End-of-Life Pathway
Additional support for eligible people who wish to remain at home towards the end of life. The pathway provides around $25,000 over 12 weeks, with services able to be accessed for up to 16 weeks.
Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) Scheme
Separate needs-based funding may be available for approved equipment, assistive technology and changes to your home that help you remain safe and independent.
There are three funding tiers:
- Low: $500
- Medium: $2,000
- High: $15,000, or more in some circumstances
What if My Funding isn’t Enough?
Your care needs can change over time. You might need more help following a hospital stay, a change in mobility or health, or simply because everyday activities are becoming more difficult.
If your current funding is no longer meeting your assessed needs, you can request a reassessment through My Aged Care.
HCA Home Care can also work with you to understand your available funding, prioritise your services and build your care around what matters most to you.
How Do I Get Home Care?
Accessing government-funded home care starts with My Aged Care. While everyone’s situation is different, the process generally follows these steps.
1
Contact My Aged Care
Register with My Aged Care and request an aged care assessment to understand what support may be available to you.
2
Have Your Needs Assessed
An assessor will talk with you about your health, daily routine, what you can manage independently and where you may need some extra support.
3
Receive Your Outcome
You’ll receive an outcome explaining the services you’ve been approved for and, if eligible for Support at Home, your funding classification and priority for funding.
4
Wait for Your Funding
If you’re approved for ongoing Support at Home funding, you may need to wait for funding to become available. This is a good time to research providers and think about the support you want.
5
Choose a Provider & Start Your Care
Once your funding is assigned, you can choose a provider. They’ll work with you to develop your care plan, organise your services and get your support underway.
Where Are You in Your Home Care Journey?
Everyone’s home care journey is different. Choose the option that best describes your situation to understand what happens next.
I’m Waiting On Funding
Explore suitable services and take the next step after your assessment.
Learn moreUsing Your Funding for Home Care Services
Your funding can be used for eligible services based on your assessed needs and care plan. HCA Home Care offers support across the three main Support at Home service categories.
Clinical Care
Nursing, allied health, nutrition and other professional healthcare services to support your health and wellbeing at home.
Services include:
Independence
Transport, respite and social support to help you stay active, connected and independent.
Services include:
Everyday Living
Domestic assistance, meals and home maintenance to make everyday life at home easier.
Services include:
Why Choose HCA Home Care?
Local, Personal Support
Your dedicated local Customer Care Manager gets to know you, understands your needs and coordinates your care.
24/7 Assistance
Existing HCA Home Care customers have access to our 24/7 support line, so help is available outside standard business hours.
Qualified, Experienced Workers
Our Support Workers are carefully selected, qualified and experienced, with ongoing training backed by Healthcare Australia’s own training organisation.
More Home Care Explained
Ready to Discuss Your Home Care Options?
Whether you’re ready to arrange your home care services, or are still exploring options, we can help.