Support at Home funding levels 1-8: what each level covers

When you are assessed for Support at Home, you are placed on one of eight funding levels. Each level comes with a yearly budget, and the higher the level, the more help it pays for. This guide walks through the eight levels and gives you a feel for what each one tends to cover.

A quick caution before we start. The dollar figures move with indexation each July, and your own budget depends on your assessed needs, not on a number you can pick. Treat the amounts below as a guide and check the live figures on the official funding classifications page.

How the levels work

Under the old Home Care Packages system there were four levels. Support at Home has eight. More levels means the funding fits more closely to what you actually need, rather than rounding you up or down to the nearest of four bands.

When the Single Assessment System assessor visits, they work out how much help you need across health, daily tasks, safety and your living situation. That assessment decides your level. You do not negotiate it, and you cannot buy your way up. If your needs change, you can be reassessed.

The eight levels and their yearly budgets

These are the ongoing classification budgets effective from 1 November 2025. They are indexed each July, so check the official page for current figures.

Level	Approximate yearly budget	Who it tends to suit
1	~$11,000	Mostly independent, occasional help
2	~$16,000	Light regular support
3	~$22,000	Regular help with daily tasks
4	~$30,000	Personal care plus some allied health
5	~$40,000	Frequent personal and clinical care
6	~$48,000	Substantial daily support
7	~$58,000	Complex, near-daily clinical needs
8	~$78,000	Highest needs, intensive care at home

The exact figures (Level 1 sits at $10,731.00 a year and Level 8 at $78,106.35 a year, as published for 1 November 2025 and indexed each July) are listed on health.gov.au. We have rounded in the table above so you can compare levels at a glance. Check the official page for the current year's figures.

What the lower levels (1-2) cover

Levels 1 and 2 are for people who are largely managing on their own but need a hand here and there. Think of someone who is steady on their feet, cooks for themselves, but cannot manage the heavy cleaning or the garden any more, or needs a lift to medical appointments.

At these levels a typical mix might be:

• A cleaner every week or fortnight
• Some help with the garden or lawn
• Transport to appointments and shopping
• The occasional visit from a nurse or allied health professional

It is entry-level support that keeps small problems from becoming big ones.

What the middle levels (3-5) cover

This is where most people sit. Levels 3 to 5 fund regular, hands-on help.

At these levels you might have:

• Help with showering, dressing and grooming several times a week
• Regular nursing visits, for example to manage medication or wounds
• Allied health such as physiotherapy or occupational therapy to keep you mobile and safe
• Domestic help and transport on top

If you have had a fall, a diagnosis like early dementia, or a chronic condition that needs managing, you are likely to land somewhere in this range.

What the higher levels (6-8) cover

Levels 6, 7 and 8 are for people with substantial, often daily, care needs who still want to remain at home rather than move into residential aged care.

At these levels funding can stretch to:

• Daily personal care, sometimes more than once a day
• Frequent or daily nursing
• Coordinated allied health
• Palliative and end-of-life care at home

Level 8, the top band, is a serious amount of funding and is reserved for the highest assessed needs. It is meant to make staying home a real option even when care needs are heavy.

Care management and the 10% rule

Whatever level you are on, a portion of your budget pays for care management. This is the work of a care manager who coordinates your services, keeps your plan up to date, and is your point of contact. 10% of your quarterly budget is set aside for this, per the funding for Support at Home care management page on health.gov.au. It is not a fee on top; it comes out of your allocation.

A good care manager earns that allocation. They chase providers, sort out problems, and make sure your funding is spent on the right things.

Choosing how to spend your level

Your level sets the size of the pot. You and your provider decide how to spend it across the three service categories: clinical care, independence and everyday living. You are not locked into a fixed roster. If your needs shift within a quarter, your plan can shift with them.

Two people on the same level can spend very differently. One might pour their budget into nursing and physio. Another might prioritise personal care and cleaning. That flexibility is the point.

When your level is not enough

Sometimes your assessed level does not cover everything you would like. A few options:

• Reassessment. If your needs have genuinely increased, ask for a reassessment through My Aged Care.
• Top up privately. You can pay out of pocket for extra services beyond your funded plan.
• AT-HM scheme. Equipment and home modifications are funded separately, not from your level budget. More on that in our guide to what you can spend funding on.

Frequently asked questions

Can I ask for a higher level? You cannot request a level directly, but you can request a reassessment if your needs have changed. The assessor decides the level.

Do the amounts change? Yes, they are indexed each July. Always check the official figures for the current year.

What if I do not spend my whole budget? You can carry a small amount into the next quarter, but budgets are not designed to be banked for years. Talk to your care manager about using your funding well.

Ready to find a provider once you know your level? Browse our home care listings or use search to find one near you.