This guide reflects the 1 November 2025 aged care reforms. Home Care Packages (HCP Levels 1–4) are no longer the active framework for new entrants. The replacement program is called Support at Home and uses 8 classifications.
From 1 November 2025, Support at Home replaced the Home Care Package program for everyone newly entering home-based aged care. The old four-level HCP system became eight Support at Home classifications, with annual budgets that range from about $10,731 at the lowest classification up to about $78,106 at the highest (figures indexed each July). Budgets are split into quarterly allocations to prevent over-spending early in the year, and 10% of each budget is automatically allocated to provider care management. Existing HCP recipients assessed on or before 31 October 2025 transitioned to an equivalent classification — services continue, the funding mechanism behind them changed.
This guide covers the new structure, what changed for existing HCP recipients, how to apply via the Single Assessment System, and how to think about which classification you might qualify for. Verified against My Aged Care and the Department of Health Support at Home program page as at 28 May 2026.
A note on figures: the per-classification dollar amounts are indexed each July and the full L2–L7 table isn't yet stable enough to publish guide-grade figures for every level. We've quoted the verified L1 and L8 boundary numbers. For your specific classification's current annual budget, check the My Aged Care fees page or call 1800 200 422 — these are the figures Services Australia is paying.
What changed on 1 November 2025
The big reforms:
| Feature | Old (HCP) | New (Support at Home) |
|---|---|---|
| Number of levels | 4 (Levels 1–4) | 8 classifications |
| Funding model | Annual budget, drawn down as services used; surplus could carry forward | Annual budget split into quarterly allocations; can't bank a whole year in a quarter |
| Care management | Variable provider fee | 10% of each quarterly budget allocated to care management automatically |
| Clinical care | Provider arranged, government & client co-pay | 100% government-funded (clients pay nothing for clinical care) |
| Assessment process | ACAT (mostly) or RAS | Single Assessment System (since 9 Dec 2024) |
| Client contributions | Basic Daily Fee + income-tested fee | Simpler structure (see below) |
The clinical-care change is significant. Under HCP, families paid a portion of clinical costs (registered nursing, physio, podiatry, etc.) through their package. Under Support at Home, clinical care is fully government-funded — clients only pay for "support services" (personal care, cleaning, transport, social support) and a basic daily fee.
The 8 classifications
| Classification | Annual budget (FY 2025-26) |
|---|---|
| 1 (lowest needs) | ~$10,731 |
| 2 | (per-level figures indexed July — verify on My Aged Care) |
| 3 | (same) |
| 4 | (same) |
| 5 | (same) |
| 6 | (same) |
| 7 | (same) |
| 8 (highest needs) | ~$78,106 |
Classifications are determined by the Single Assessment System assessor based on the level of care need — physical, cognitive, medical complexity, social isolation, carer availability. Higher classifications are reserved for older adults with substantial care needs who would otherwise need residential aged care.
Costs to the older adult
Support at Home has a simpler co-contribution structure than HCP:
- Basic Daily Fee — a small daily contribution toward general living costs (similar in concept to the old HCP Basic Daily Fee). Amount is indexed; verify current figure with My Aged Care.
- Means-tested contributions — based on income + assets, capped annually. Lower-income households may pay zero in means-tested contributions; higher-income households pay more, up to the cap.
- Clinical care: $0 — fully government-funded as of 1 November 2025.
The new fee structure significantly reduces what most clients pay for clinical services. The trade-off is the 10% care management allocation that's deducted from every quarterly budget — clients receive 90¢ in services for every $1 of budget instead of the previous variable arrangement.
How to apply
- Register with My Aged Care — online at myagedcare.gov.au or call 1800 200 422 (free).
- Request an assessment — your case is referred to a Single Assessment System assessor. The assessment is free and can happen at home, in a clinic, or sometimes by phone for simple cases.
- Get your assessment outcome — usually a letter within 2–6 weeks of the assessment interview, classifying you (Classification 1–8) and confirming eligibility.
- Wait for funding to become available — this is the bottleneck. Higher-classification waitlists can exceed 9 months; lower classifications generally move faster. You stay on the waitlist until funding for your classification becomes available.
- Choose a provider — once funded, you select an approved Support at Home provider. You can change providers if you're not satisfied (some portability of unused budget applies).
- Start services — the provider assesses your needs against your classification budget and arranges the services you need.
What if you've already got a Home Care Package?
If your HCP started on or before 31 October 2025:
- You transitioned automatically to an equivalent Support at Home classification.
- Your provider continues. Your services continue.
- You should have received correspondence from My Aged Care explaining your new classification. If you didn't, contact My Aged Care.
- Your funding model changed (quarterly budgets, 10% care management, no clinical care charge) but your day-to-day services are unchanged.
If your HCP application was submitted before 1 November 2025 but not assessed yet:
- Your assessment proceeds under the Single Assessment System.
- Your outcome is a Support at Home classification, not an HCP level.
What if Support at Home isn't enough?
For older adults whose care needs exceed what Classification 8 can provide at home, residential aged care is the next step. See our Residential Aged Care Costs guide for what that involves, and the Single Assessment System guide for how the assessment process determines which path you're suited for.
For older adults whose needs are below the lowest Support at Home classification, the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) offers smaller-scale supports — meals, cleaning, transport, social support — funded by the government with a small client co-contribution. CHSP doesn't have a published national fee schedule; each provider sets fees under a client contribution framework. Worth applying via My Aged Care if you need light support but don't qualify for a full Support at Home classification.
Common questions about the transition
- Will my services be the same after the transition? Yes for clinical care (now fully funded). For other supports, your provider continues to use your budget toward the services you need — the dollar amounts and split may shift slightly because of the new 10% care management and quarterly allocation.
- Can I save up an unused quarterly budget? Limited. Unused quarter budgets can roll within the year to some extent, but the system is designed to smooth spending — you can't deliberately under-spend to accumulate a lump sum.
- Can I top up my package with my own money? Yes, you can pay privately for additional services beyond your classification budget if you want and can afford to. This was true under HCP and continues under Support at Home.
- Do I need to re-apply every year? No. Your classification is reviewed periodically (typically every 1–2 years, more often if your needs change significantly) but ongoing funding continues automatically.
For all aged care services, the central gateway is My Aged Care or 1800 200 422.