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Funding Guide

Home care package levels 1–8, explained

Your ACAT assessment determines your Support at Home funding level. Each of the 8 levels provides a government subsidy to cover your approved care services.

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5 min readUpdated July 2026Free for families
Clinically reviewed by our aged care nursing team — decades of frontline experience across aged care, community, palliative and dementia care. Figures: Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, 2025–26 rates.
8
Funding levels
Approx. $10K–$78K
Annual subsidy range
ACAT
Assessment determines your level
Free
To request a reassessment
How funding levels work

Your funding level is not something you choose — it is determined by your ACAT assessment based on your care needs.

The higher your care needs, the higher your level. Levels range from 1 (basic assistance) to 8 (complex clinical and personal care).

The 8 levels

⚠️ Amounts shown are indicative government subsidy rates effective 1 November 2025. Your actual subsidy may vary based on your means-tested care contribution. Source: Department of Health and Aged Care.

Level 1
$10,731
approx. per year — subject to indexation
~$206/wk
Basic assistance with everyday tasks at home
What a typical week looks like
1 × personal care visit per week (showering, dressing)
Fortnightly domestic assistance (cleaning, laundry)
Medication reminders and health monitoring
Indicative example only. Actual mix depends on your care plan and provider pricing.
Level 2
$16,034
approx. per year — subject to indexation
~$308/wk
Regular help with personal care and domestic tasks
What a typical week looks like
2 × personal care visits per week
Weekly domestic assistance
Monthly allied health session (e.g. physiotherapy)
Indicative example only. Actual mix depends on your care plan and provider pricing.
Level 3
$21,966
approx. per year — subject to indexation
~$422/wk
Moderate support including allied health and nursing
What a typical week looks like
3 × personal care visits per week
Weekly domestic assistance
Fortnightly physiotherapy or occupational therapy
Nursing support as needed
Indicative example only. Actual mix depends on your care plan and provider pricing.
Level 4
$29,696
approx. per year — subject to indexation
~$571/wk
Complex needs — daily assistance and care coordination
What a typical week looks like
3 × personal care visits per week
Weekly domestic assistance and meal preparation
Weekly nursing visit (medications, wound care)
Weekly allied health session
2 × transport trips (GP, shopping)
Indicative example only. Actual mix depends on your care plan and provider pricing.
Level 5
$39,697
approx. per year — subject to indexation
~$763/wk
High-level daily support and clinical care
What a typical week looks like
Daily personal care visits
Weekly domestic assistance
2 × allied health sessions per week
Weekly nursing visit plus on-call clinical support
Regular transport and social activities
Care coordination
Indicative example only. Actual mix depends on your care plan and provider pricing.
Level 6
$48,114
approx. per year — subject to indexation
~$925/wk
Intensive support — nursing and specialist services
What a typical week looks like
Daily personal care including evening check-ins
Weekly domestic assistance
3 × allied health sessions per week
Twice-weekly nursing visits
Regular specialist services (e.g. dementia support)
Full care coordination
Indicative example only. Actual mix depends on your care plan and provider pricing.
Level 7
$58,148
approx. per year — subject to indexation
~$1,118/wk
Very high needs — near-daily clinical attendance
What a typical week looks like
Twice-daily personal care visits
Regular domestic and meal support
Near-daily allied health support
Multiple nursing visits per week
Specialist clinical services
Full care coordination and case management
Indicative example only. Actual mix depends on your care plan and provider pricing.
Level 8
$78,106
approx. per year — subject to indexation
~$1,502/wk
Highest level — complex medical and personal needs
What a typical week looks like
Multiple daily visits including complex personal care
Daily nursing care and clinical management
Intensive allied health across multiple disciplines
Specialist and palliative support as needed
Equipment, assistive technology, home modifications
Full care coordination — near residential-equivalent support at home
Indicative example only. Actual mix depends on your care plan and provider pricing.

How your level is determined

The ACAT assessor considers a range of factors during your assessment:

Your daily living activities — showering, dressing, cooking
Your health and medical conditions
Your mobility and falls risk
Your cognitive function
Your living environment and safety
Your informal support network — family and friends

You cannot self-select a higher level

The assessor makes a recommendation based on clinical need. Your level reflects what the assessor determines is required — not what you request.

Can my level change?

Yes. If your care needs increase, you can request a reassessment through My Aged Care (1800 200 422) at any time. Your provider can also flag changes in your needs to prompt a review.

Reassessments are free. Similarly, if your needs decrease, your level may be reviewed downward.

Common questions about funding levels

What are the 8 levels of Support at Home?+
Support at Home has 8 classification levels, each providing a different annual government subsidy based on assessed care needs — from Level 1 ($10,731/year, basic support) to Level 8 ($78,106/year, the highest level of complex care). Your ACAT assessment determines which level you're approved for.
What do the classifications under Support at Home cover?+
Each classification level funds a mix of services matched to your assessed needs — personal care, domestic assistance, nursing, allied health, transport, equipment and home modifications. Higher levels cover more intensive and clinical support, such as daily nursing or specialist dementia and palliative care.
Is Support at Home means tested?+
The government subsidy itself is not means tested — everyone assessed at a given level receives the same subsidy amount. However, you may be required to pay an income-tested care fee on top of the subsidy if your income is above the threshold set by Services Australia.
How is my Support at Home level decided?+
An ACAT (or ACAS in Victoria) assessor visits your home and evaluates your daily living needs, health conditions, mobility, cognition, and informal support. Your level reflects their clinical assessment of your needs — it isn't something you can choose or request directly.

If you feel your assessment didn't reflect your needs accurately, you have the right to request a review. Contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 to start this process.

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