What is the difference between Support at Home Classification 3 and Classification 5?

Classification 3 provides $5,479.94 per quarter ($21,919.77/year). Classification 5 provides $9,883.76 per quarter ($39,535.04/year). The difference is $4,403.82 per quarter — roughly 70–90 hours of home care or domestic assistance per quarter, depending on your provider's hourly rate.

What are the three service categories under Support at Home?

Support at Home services fall into three categories: (1) Clinical Care — nursing, wound care, medication management. Zero co-contribution. (2) Independence Support — personal care, physiotherapy, occupational therapy. Co-contribution applies (note: personal care moves to Clinical with zero co-contribution from 1 October 2026). (3) Everyday Living — domestic assistance, transport, social support, meals. Co-contribution applies, with higher contribution rates.

CLASSIFICATION GUIDE

Your approval letter has a number on it. Here's what that number means in dollars — and in care.

Q: What are the Support at Home classification budget amounts for 2025–2026?

Support at Home classification quarterly budgets (effective 1 November 2025): Classification 1: $2,674.18/quarter ($10,697.72/year). Classification 2: $3,995.42/quarter ($15,981.68/year). Classification 3: $5,479.94/quarter ($21,919.77/year). Classification 4: $7,386.33/quarter ($29,545.33/year). Classification 5: $9,883.76/quarter ($39,535.04/year). Classification 6: $11,989.35/quarter ($47,957.41/year). Classification 7: $14,530.53/quarter ($58,122.13/year). Classification 8: $19,427.25/quarter ($77,709.00/year). Indexed on 1 July annually.

Q: How do I know if my Support at Home classification is correct?

Your classification is determined by the Integrated Assessment Tool (IAT) — a rules-based scoring algorithm. It produces two primary scores: a functional independence score (from the IAT's Function section) and a needs-being-met score. The broader assessment covers 13 sections including physical health, cognition, psychological state, social engagement, and home safety. The most common reason for an unexpectedly low classification is describing what you can do on a good day rather than what you struggle with every day. You can request a classification review at any time.

The assessor assigned you a classification from 1 to 8. That number determines how much quarterly funding you receive under the Support at Home program, and what services you can use it for.

Most families walk away from the assessment without knowing what their number means. This page explains it — and what to do if it doesn't feel right.

THE SHORT VERSION

Classifications 1–8 range from $2,674/quarter to $19,427/quarter (effective 1 November 2025).

The money covers three types of services: Clinical (free), Independence Support (co-contribution applies), and Everyday Living (higher co-contribution).

If your classification feels too low, you can request a review. The most common fix: describe your hardest days, not your best ones.

What does your classification mean?

Select your classification number from your approval letter

All Support at Home classification budgets — 2025–2026

Effective 1 November 2025. Indexed on 1 July annually.

Classification	Per Quarter	Per Year	Est. weekly hours
Class. 1	$2,674.18	$10,697.72	1–3 hours/week
Class. 2	$3,995.42	$15,981.68	2–4 hours/week
Class. 3	$5,479.94	$21,919.77	3–6 hours/week
Class. 4	$7,386.33	$29,545.33	5–8 hours/week
Class. 5	$9,883.76	$39,535.04	7–12 hours/week
Class. 6	$11,989.35	$47,957.41	10–15 hours/week
Class. 7	$14,530.53	$58,122.13	12–18 hours/week
Class. 8	$19,427.25	$77,709.00	16–25 hours/week

Source: Support at Home program, Department of Health and Aged Care. Verify at My Aged Care.

What can your budget actually pay for?

All Support at Home services fall into three categories. Your co-contribution (the amount you pay out of pocket) depends on which category the service falls into — not how much funding you have.

Clinical Care

Zero co-contribution

Nursing visitsWound careMedication management and administrationCatheter and continence care (clinical)Chronic condition managementPalliative care support

Independence Support

Co-contribution applies

Personal care — showering, dressing, groomingPhysiotherapyOccupational therapySpeech pathologyPodiatryAllied health assessments

⚠️ From 1 October 2026, personal care (showering, dressing, continence care) moves to Clinical Care — zero co-contribution from that date.

Everyday Living

Higher co-contribution applies

Domestic assistance — cleaning, laundryMeal preparation and deliveryTransport to appointments and social activitiesSocial support and companionshipHome maintenance (minor, safety-related)Garden maintenance (safety access)

What should you do if your classification feels wrong?

The assessment uses the IAT — Integrated Assessment Tool — a rules-based scoring algorithm. It produces two primary scores: a functional independence score (from the IAT's Function section) and a needs-being-met score. The broader assessment covers 13 sections including physical health, cognition, psychological state, social engagement, and home safety.

The most common reason for a lower-than-expected result: the person described what they can do, not what they struggle with. The assessor scores based on what you tell them. If you said "I manage most days" when you meant "I need help most days," that difference changes the classification.

Activate your funding now — don't wait for a review. You can request a reassessment at any time. The two aren't connected.

How to prepare for or dispute a classification review →

Common questions about Support at Home classifications

What are the Support at Home classification budget amounts?+

Do I pay tax on my Support at Home budget?+

No. Your Support at Home budget is a government subsidy paid directly to your provider on your behalf. It is not income and is not taxable.

What happens to unspent budget at the end of the quarter?+

Unspent funds roll over — up to $1,000 or 10% of your quarterly budget, whichever is more. If you have legacy Home Care Package funds, those are kept separately with no rollover cap.

Can I use my budget for things that aren't on the approved services list?+

No. Your budget can only be used for services within the three Support at Home categories (Clinical, Independence, Everyday Living). Equipment funded through the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications scheme is separate from your quarterly budget.

NOT SURE WHAT TO DO NEXT?

Get a personalised activation guide built for your classification

Includes your exact budget figures, provider fee comparison for your state, and a step-by-step checklist from approval to first service.

Get my Activation Guide — $29 →

Last updated: 25 April 2026. Classification budgets effective 1 November 2025. Indexed 1 July annually. Verify current rates at myagedcare.gov.au.

This is general information, not professional advice. Consult a financial adviser, legal professional, or aged care specialist via OPAN for advice specific to your situation.