Support at Home Funding Explained

Last updated: 30 April 2026 · Based on Aged Care Rules 2025 and current government rates. Check myagedcare.gov.au for the latest.

Support at Home replaced the Home Care Packages program on 1 November 2025. The funding works differently from the old system — you get a quarterly budget based on your classification, and how much you pay out-of-pocket depends on which type of service you're using, not just how much you earn.

This guide explains the eight classifications, what each quarterly budget looks like, and the three service categories that determine whether you pay anything at all.

How Support at Home funding works

Your aged care assessment determines your classification — a number from 1 to 8 that reflects your level of care need. Each classification comes with a set amount of government funding, released in four quarterly instalments across the year.

10% of each quarterly budget is automatically deducted for care management — the coordination your provider does to plan and oversee your services. The remaining 90% is available for the services themselves.

If you don't spend your full budget in a quarter, you can carry over up to $1,000 or 10% of your quarterly budget (whichever is greater) to the next quarter. Amounts above that limit don't accumulate.

The 8 Support at Home classifications

These budgets have been in effect since 1 November 2025. They are indexed each July. The figures below are as at 1 November 2025 — check the Schedule of Subsidies and Supplements for the July 2026 indexed figures.

Note: 10% of each quarterly budget is deducted for care management. The usable amount for direct services is 90% of the figures above. Figures effective from 1 November 2025, subject to indexation in July each year.

What you pay — the three service categories

The old Home Care Package system applied income-tested fees broadly. Under Support at Home, how much you pay depends entirely on which category the service falls into — not just your income.

The personal care change: 1 October 2026

This is the most significant change to Support at Home since it launched. From 1 October 2026, the Australian Government will fully fund personal care — specifically showering, dressing and continence management — for eligible Support at Home participants.

Before October 2026, personal care sits in the Independence category. That means it draws from your quarterly budget and may attract a co-contribution depending on your income and assets. For some people, this means personal care currently costs real money from their classified funding.

From 1 October 2026, personal care moves to Clinical supports. It will be fully government-funded at zero out-of-pocket cost — the same as nursing or physiotherapy today.

The change does not apply to services delivered before 1 October 2026. Further guidance for providers is expected from the Department before the October deadline.

If your budget doesn't cover your needs

A classification is set at the time of your assessment — but needs change. If you're finding that your quarterly budget runs out before the quarter ends, or that your provider has told you there isn't enough funding for services you need, you can request a reassessment.

Your provider can refer you back to My Aged Care, or you can contact My Aged Care directly on 1800 200 422. A reassessment can result in a higher classification and a larger quarterly budget.

The 28-day review window after receiving your Notice of Decision also applies — if you believe your initial classification was set too low, that window is the time to challenge it. See the IAT guide for how the classification algorithm works and what to do if you think it got it wrong.

Common questions