Support at Home Classification 1: What You Get (2026)
Andre Smith
Co-founder & CEO
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Key points
- Support at Home classification 1 is for older Australians with very low care needs
- Annual funding of approximately $10,732 ($2,683 per quarter)
- 10% care management deduction leaves roughly $9,659 for services per year
- Clinical services (nursing, allied health) are fully funded with no participant contribution
- From 1 October 2026, personal care moves into clinical supports and is fully government funded (until then contributions applied)
- Independence services attract contributions of 5% to 50% depending on income
- Everyday living services attract contributions of 17.5% to 80% depending on income
- Replaces the old Level 1 Home Care Package ($9,271/year) with a more structured funding model
What is Support at Home classification 1?
Classification 1 is the entry point of Australia’s eight-level Support at Home program. It is designed for people with very low care needs who are still largely independent but need a small amount of regular help to stay safe and comfortable at home.
If you can manage most daily tasks on your own but find yourself struggling with heavier housework, getting to medical appointments, or keeping on top of home maintenance, classification 1 may be the right fit.
This classification replaced the old Level 1 Home Care Package when the Support at Home program launched in November 2025. For a full overview of how the program works, see our Support at Home Program complete guide.
Funding breakdown
Classification 1 provides a set annual budget paid in quarterly instalments. The government deducts 10% from each quarterly payment for care management before the remaining amount goes toward your services.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Quarterly budget | $2,683.05 |
| Annual total | $10,732.20 |
| Care management deduction (10%) | $1,073.22 |
| Available for services (annual) | $9,658.98 |
Source: Australian Government Department of Health
How quarterly budgets work
Your funding arrives in four instalments each year, released in July, October, January, and April. You do not receive the full annual amount up front. This quarterly structure helps with budgeting, though it also means you need to plan your service use across each period.
If you do not use your entire quarterly allocation, unspent funds can roll over to the next quarter. The rollover cap is $1,000 or 10% of your quarterly budget, whichever is greater. For classification 1, that means you could carry over up to $1,000 per quarter. Amounts above the cap are returned to the government.
Care management deduction
The 10% care management deduction covers your provider’s administrative costs. This includes care plan development, coordination of services, regular reviews, and My Aged Care reporting. Under the old HCP system, providers could charge anywhere from 12% to 45% for administration, so the fixed 10% cap is a significant improvement.
Three service categories and what you pay
Under Support at Home, your funding is spent across three service categories. Each has different rules about what the government pays and what you contribute.
Clinical services (0% contribution)
Clinical services include nursing care, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, podiatry, dietetics, and other allied health services. These are fully funded by the government. You pay nothing for clinical services regardless of your income or assets.
At classification 1, your clinical needs are typically limited. You might access quarterly podiatry, an occasional dietetics consultation, or a nursing visit for wound care or medication review.
Independence services (5% to 50% contribution)
Independence services cover assistive technology, home modifications, and mobility support. Your contribution ranges from 5% to 50% depending on your financial circumstances. Note that from 1 October 2026, personal care (showering, dressing, grooming) moves out of this category into clinical supports and becomes fully government funded with no participant contribution (until then, contributions applied).
At classification 1, independence services might include grab rail installation or a shower chair.
Everyday living services (17.5% to 80% contribution)
Everyday living services include domestic assistance, gardening, meal preparation, social support, and transport. These attract the highest contribution rates, ranging from 17.5% to 80% based on your income and assets.
At this level, everyday living services will likely make up the bulk of your spending. Weekly cleaning, fortnightly garden maintenance, and regular transport to appointments are typical uses.
Contribution rates by income group
| Financial circumstance | Clinical services | Independence services | Everyday living services |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full pension recipient | 0% | 5% | 17.5% |
| Part pension recipient | 0% | Up to 25% | Up to 50% |
| Self-funded retiree (with CSHC) | 0% | Up to 25% | Up to 50% |
| Self-funded retiree (no CSHC) | 0% | Up to 50% | Up to 80% |
Source: My Aged Care
What this means in practice
Consider a full pension recipient at classification 1. If they use $2,000 on clinical services (podiatry, nursing visit), they pay nothing. For $3,000 of independence services (assistive technology, grab rails), they contribute 5%, which is $150. For $4,659 of everyday living services (cleaning, transport, garden), they contribute 17.5%, which is $815. Total annual contribution: approximately $965.
A self-funded retiree without a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card would pay nothing for clinical services, up to 50% for independence services ($1,500), and up to 80% for everyday living services ($3,727). Total annual contribution: up to approximately $5,227.
To work out your own numbers based on your income and the services you expect to use, you can estimate your Support at Home budget and contributions.
What services are covered at classification 1
With approximately $9,659 available for services after the care management deduction, classification 1 provides enough funding for a modest but meaningful level of support.
Typical services include:
- Light domestic assistance 1 to 2 hours per week (vacuuming, mopping, bathroom cleaning)
- Fortnightly garden maintenance or lawn mowing
- Transport to medical appointments once or twice per fortnight
- Basic personal care assistance a few times per week if needed
- Minor home maintenance (changing light bulbs, smoke alarm checks)
- Quarterly podiatry appointments
- One or two allied health visits per quarter
- Basic assistive equipment (grab rails, non-slip bath mats, shower chair)
- Social support and companionship visits
At classification 1, you might receive around 3 to 5 hours of direct support per week, depending on the mix of services and provider pricing. Across 412 aged care inquiries analysed through Carevo, the services families request most often are personal care, domestic assistance and transport, which lines up closely with the everyday living support classification 1 is built around. For current pricing benchmarks, see our guide to Support at Home prices in 2026.
What classification 1 does not cover
Classification 1 is not designed for people who need daily personal care, regular nursing visits, or complex clinical support. If you need help showering every day, medication management several times per week, or ongoing physiotherapy programs, you likely need a higher classification.
How many hours of care can you get?
Classification 1 provides approximately $2,683 per quarter. After the 10% care management deduction, you have roughly $2,415 per quarter to spend on services. How far that goes depends on the types of services you use, the hourly rates your provider charges, and when you schedule visits.
Indicative hourly rates
| Service | Weekday Rate | Saturday | Sunday | Public Holiday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic assistance | ~$120/hr | ~$157/hr | ~$195/hr | ~$227/hr |
| Personal care | ~$120/hr | ~$157/hr | ~$195/hr | ~$227/hr |
| Registered nurse | ~$210/hr | ~$270/hr | ~$330/hr | ~$390/hr |
| Allied health (physio, OT) | ~$180/hr | ~$230/hr | ~$280/hr | ~$330/hr |
| Transport | ~$50-80/trip | Varies | Varies | Varies |
Rates are indicative and vary by provider and region. Clinical services have no participant contribution regardless of rate.
Worked example: Joan, 78, full pensioner
Joan lives alone and is mostly independent. She needs weekly cleaning and a fortnightly welfare check from a nurse.
Cleaning (everyday living service):
- 1.5 hours per week at $120/hr = $180 per week
- $180 x 13 weeks per quarter = $2,340
Nursing welfare check (clinical service):
- 1 visit per quarter at $210 = $210
Total quarterly service cost: $2,550
Joan’s contribution as a full pensioner:
- Cleaning (everyday living, 17.5%): $2,340 x 17.5% = $410
- Nursing (clinical, 0%): $0
- Total out of pocket per quarter: approximately $410
The government covers the remaining $2,140 from Joan’s quarterly budget. Because nursing is a clinical service, Joan pays nothing for her welfare checks regardless of her income.
These figures are indicative. Your actual hours depend on your provider’s rates, the services you choose, and when you receive them. Weekend and public holiday rates reduce your available hours.
Tips for stretching your funding
- Schedule services on weekdays when rates are lowest
- Bundle tasks in one visit (for example, cleaning and meal prep together) to reduce travel and minimum charge costs
- Use clinical services freely since they are fully funded by the government
- Track spending quarterly and adjust your care plan if you are underspending or overspending
- Request a reassessment if your needs have increased and your current funding is not enough
Who qualifies for classification 1
To qualify, you must meet the basic eligibility criteria for the Support at Home program and be assessed as having very low care needs.
Eligibility requirements
- Aged 65 years or older (50 years or older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)
- An Australian citizen, permanent resident, or hold a special category visa
- Not already receiving equivalent government-funded aged care services
- Assessed as having care needs that require support
What the assessment looks at
The single assessment workforce evaluates your needs across multiple domains:
- Physical health: Mobility, balance, strength, chronic conditions, pain
- Cognitive function: Memory, decision-making, orientation
- Daily activities: Ability to manage personal care, housework, cooking, shopping
- Psychosocial needs: Social isolation, emotional wellbeing, carer stress
- Home environment: Safety hazards, accessibility, suitability
For classification 1, the assessor is looking for someone who manages most daily tasks independently but would benefit from a small amount of regular help in one or two areas. You might be someone who has had a minor fall and needs grab rails and a bit of domestic help while regaining confidence. Or you might be finding that heavier housework and garden maintenance have become too much.
How to get assessed
- Contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or visit their website
- Complete the initial screening over the phone
- Have your assessment completed by the single assessment workforce (usually in your home)
- Receive your classification level and support plan
- Choose a provider and begin services
You do not need a GP referral, although your doctor can make a referral on your behalf. See our My Aged Care registration guide for detailed instructions.
Comparison with the old Level 1 Home Care Package
If you were previously on a Level 1 Home Care Package, or are familiar with the old system, here is how classification 1 compares.
| Feature | Old Level 1 HCP | Support at Home Classification 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Annual funding | $9,271 | $10,732 |
| Care management fees | Provider-set (12-45%) | Fixed 10% ($1,073) |
| Funding structure | Single flexible budget | Three service categories |
| Clinical contributions | Paid from package budget | $0 (fully funded) |
| Budget delivery | Monthly | Quarterly |
| Unspent fund rollover | Accumulated in package | Capped quarterly ($1,000) |
| Waiting time | Months to years | Based on assessment priority |
Key differences
More funding, less taken in fees. The old Level 1 HCP was $9,271 per year, but some providers charged 30% or more in administration and care management fees, leaving as little as $6,490 for actual care. Classification 1 provides $10,732 with a fixed 10% fee, leaving $9,659 for services.
Clinical services are now free. Under the old system, a nursing visit or podiatry appointment came out of your package budget. Now, clinical services cost you nothing. This means more of your budget goes toward domestic help and other everyday support.
Less flexibility between service types. The old HCP let you spend your budget on any approved service. Under Support at Home, funding is allocated across three categories and you cannot move money between them. This protects clinical funding but reduces your ability to redirect money where you need it most.
No more long waiting lists. The old Level 1 HCP had waiting times of several months in many areas. The Support at Home program aims to provide access more quickly after assessment, though the system is still bedding in during 2026.
How to access classification 1
Step 1: Contact My Aged Care
Call 1800 200 422 or visit the My Aged Care website. You can also ask a family member, carer, or GP to contact them on your behalf.
Step 2: Initial screening
My Aged Care will conduct a phone screening to understand your situation and confirm basic eligibility. Your assessment will be prioritised based on urgency.
Step 3: Face-to-face assessment
An assessor from the single assessment workforce will visit you at home. They use a standardised tool to evaluate your needs across all domains. The assessment typically takes 1 to 2 hours.
Step 4: Classification decision
Based on the assessment, you will be assigned a classification level. If your needs are assessed as very low, you will receive classification 1.
Step 5: Choose a provider and start services
Once classified, you can choose an approved provider. Your provider will develop a care plan with you and begin delivering services.
If you disagree with your assessment
The Independent Assessment Tool (IAT) has faced criticism since its introduction, with reports of the algorithm underestimating care needs. If you believe your classification does not reflect your actual needs, you can request a reassessment. Contact the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) on 1800 700 600 for independent support.
When you might need a higher classification
Classification 1 is designed for very low care needs. Over time, your needs may increase. Signs that you might benefit from a higher classification include:
- You need help with personal care (showering, dressing) most days
- You require regular nursing visits for chronic conditions
- Your mobility has declined and you need more transport support
- You are at increased risk of falls
- Your current funding is not enough to keep you safe at home
- Your carer is experiencing stress or burnout
If you notice these changes, talk to your provider and contact My Aged Care to request a reassessment. Do not wait until a crisis occurs. For information about what higher classifications provide, see our guides to Support at Home levels 1-3 and Support at Home levels 4-6.
Find the right provider for classification 1
At classification 1, your total budget is modest, which makes it especially important to choose a provider who delivers good value. Look for transparent pricing, low administrative overheads, and the ability to deliver all the services you need in your area.
Carevo connects older Australians with quality aged care providers. With 2,131 aged care providers listed across 1,568 suburbs in the Carevo directory, you have plenty of options to compare on price and availability in your area. Whether you need help understanding your classification, comparing provider pricing, or getting started with services, we can help.
Call 1800 953 253 to find the right provider for your Support at Home classification through Carevo.
Learn more about the Support at Home Program or read our complete guide to the Support at Home Program.
All Support at Home Classifications
| Classification | Annual Funding | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | $10,731 | Very low needs, occasional help |
| Level 2 | $16,034 | Low needs, regular weekly help |
| Level 3 | $21,966 | Low-moderate, several visits per week |
| Level 4 | $29,696 | Moderate, daily assistance |
| Level 5 | $39,697 | Moderate-high, multiple daily services |
| Level 6 | $48,114 | High needs, complex care coordination |
| Level 7 | $58,148 | Very high, extensive daily support |
| Level 8 | $78,106 | Highest/complex, alternative to residential |
Related Support at Home Guides
Support at Home on Carevo right now
Updated 2026-06-03Most-requested Support at Home services
Based on 412 aged care and Support at Home inquiries made through Carevo. See the full Support at Home Demand Report.
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