Support at Home Classification 4: Moderate Care (2026)
Andre Smith
Co-founder & CEO
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Key points
- Support at Home classification 4 is for older Australians with moderate care needs
- Annual funding of approximately $29,696 ($7,424 per quarter)
- 10% care management deduction leaves roughly $26,727 for services per year
- Clinical services (nursing, allied health) are fully funded with no participant contribution
- 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 lower end of the old Level 3 Home Care Package ($38,454/year)
- Provides enough funding for regular support across clinical, personal, and domestic needs
What is Support at Home classification 4?
Classification 4 is the first of the intermediate care levels in Australia’s eight-level Support at Home program. It is designed for people with moderate care needs who require regular support across multiple areas, including nursing, allied health, personal care, and domestic assistance.
At this classification, you need more than occasional help. You likely require assistance with personal care several times per week, benefit from regular allied health input, and need consistent domestic support to maintain your home safely. But you do not yet need the intensive daily support provided at higher classifications.
Classification 4 sits within the intermediate group of levels 4 to 6. For how it compares to classifications 5 and 6, see our guide to Support at Home levels 4-6. For a full overview of the program, see the Support at Home Program complete guide.
Funding breakdown
Classification 4 provides a set annual budget paid in quarterly instalments. The government deducts 10% for care management before the remaining amount goes toward your services.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Quarterly budget | $7,424.10 |
| Annual total | $29,696.40 |
| Care management deduction (10%) | $2,969.64 |
| Available for services (annual) | $26,726.76 |
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. 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 4, 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 care plan development, coordination of services, regular reviews, and My Aged Care reporting. At classification 4, this amounts to $2,970 per year. Under the old HCP system, providers could charge anywhere from 12% to 45% for administration, so the fixed 10% represents a significant saving for most people.
Three service categories and what you pay
Under Support at Home, services fall into three categories with different contribution rules.
Clinical services (0% contribution)
Clinical services include nursing care, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, podiatry, dietetics, and other allied health. These are fully funded by the government.
At classification 4, you might access nursing visits once or twice per week, fortnightly physiotherapy, periodic occupational therapy for equipment assessments, and regular podiatry. None of these cost you anything out of pocket.
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 into clinical supports and becomes fully government funded (until 1 October 2026 contributions applied; from then personal care has no participant contribution).
At this level, you likely need personal care assistance 3 to 4 times per week and may benefit from home modifications such as bathroom grab rails, a shower seat, or improved lighting.
Everyday living services (17.5% to 80% contribution)
Everyday living services include domestic assistance, gardening, meal preparation, social support, and transport. Contribution rates range from 17.5% to 80% based on income and assets.
Classification 4 provides enough funding for regular weekly domestic help, ongoing garden maintenance, transport to appointments, and meal preparation support.
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 4 with $26,727 available for services. If they use $8,000 on clinical services (nursing, physio, OT, podiatry), they pay nothing. For $10,000 of independence services (equipment, home modifications), they contribute 5%, which is $500. For $8,727 of everyday living services (cleaning, meals, transport, garden), they contribute 17.5%, which is $1,527. Total annual contribution: approximately $2,027. From 1 October 2026, personal care becomes fully government funded, so any personal care in this mix carries no participant contribution.
A self-funded retiree without a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card would pay nothing for clinical services, up to 50% for independence services ($5,000), and up to 80% for everyday living services ($6,982). Total annual contribution: up to approximately $11,982. To work through your own numbers, you can estimate your Support at Home budget and contributions based on your classification and income.
Lifetime contribution cap
Your total contributions across all aged care services are capped at $130,000 (as of November 2025, subject to annual indexation).
What services are covered at classification 4
With approximately $26,727 available for services, classification 4 provides enough funding for a comprehensive care plan across multiple service types. Among families using Carevo, the most-requested supports are personal care, domestic assistance and transport, all of which fit comfortably within a classification 4 plan.
Typical services include:
- Nursing visits once or twice per week (wound care, medication management, health monitoring)
- Fortnightly physiotherapy or occupational therapy
- Personal care assistance 3 to 4 times per week (showering, dressing, grooming)
- Weekly domestic help 2 to 3 hours (cleaning, laundry)
- Medication management support
- Basic home modifications (grab rails, non-slip surfaces, improved lighting)
- Regular transport to medical appointments
- Meal preparation assistance several times per week
- Fortnightly garden maintenance
- Basic assistive technology (shower chair, raised toilet seat, mobility aids)
- Occasional social support and community access
At classification 4, you might receive around 8 to 12 hours of direct support per fortnight, depending on the mix of services and provider pricing. For current pricing benchmarks, see our guide to Support at Home prices in 2026.
Nursing at classification 4
One of the strongest features of this classification is access to regular nursing care at no cost. Nursing services at this level typically cover:
- Wound care and dressing changes
- Medication management and Webster pack monitoring
- Chronic disease monitoring (diabetes, heart failure, COPD)
- Post-hospital recovery support
- Regular health assessments and vital signs checks
- Catheter or stoma care if needed
Because nursing is classified as a clinical service, the full cost is covered by the government. Your nursing hours do not reduce your budget for other services.
How many hours of care can you get?
Classification 4 provides approximately $7,424 per quarter. After the 10% care management deduction, you have roughly $6,682 per quarter to spend on services. How far that goes depends on the types of services you use, your provider’s rates, 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: Raj, 76, part pensioner
Raj is recovering from a hip replacement. He needs daily help with showering, weekly physiotherapy to rebuild his strength, and regular cleaning to keep his home safe.
Personal care/showering (independence service):
- 45 minutes per day, 5 days per week at $120/hr = $90/day x 5 = $450/week
- $450 x 13 weeks per quarter = $5,850
Physiotherapy (clinical service):
- 1 session per week at $180/hr = $180/week
- $180 x 13 weeks per quarter = $2,340
Cleaning (everyday living service):
- 2 hours per week at $120/hr = $240/week
- $240 x 13 weeks per quarter = $3,120
Total quarterly service cost: $11,310
Raj’s contribution as a part pensioner:
- Personal care: until 1 October 2026 this was an independence service (up to 25%, $5,850 x 25% = $1,463). From 1 October 2026 personal care is fully government funded, so this drops to $0.
- Physiotherapy (clinical, 0%): $0
- Cleaning (everyday living, up to 50%): $3,120 x 50% = $1,560
- Total out of pocket per quarter: up to approximately $3,023 before 1 October 2026, and up to approximately $1,560 from then once personal care is fully funded
Note that Raj’s total service cost ($11,310) exceeds his quarterly budget ($6,682 after care management). In practice, Raj would need to adjust his care plan, perhaps reducing personal care to 3 to 4 days per week or cutting cleaning to fortnightly, to stay within budget. The physiotherapy costs him nothing personally since it is a clinical service, so he should prioritise keeping those sessions.
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 4
To qualify, you must meet the basic eligibility criteria and be assessed as having moderate 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 assessors look for at classification 4
The single assessment workforce evaluates your needs across multiple domains. For classification 4, assessors are looking for people who:
- Need regular assistance with personal care activities (not daily, but several times per week)
- Require ongoing nursing or allied health support for chronic conditions
- Have moderate mobility limitations affecting daily activities
- Cannot maintain their home environment independently
- May have mild cognitive changes affecting daily functioning
- Need structured support but remain largely oriented and able to participate in care decisions
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 comprehensive assessment completed in your home (1 to 2 hours)
- Receive your classification level and support plan
- Choose a provider and begin services
You do not need a GP referral, though a letter from your doctor outlining your conditions and care needs can support your assessment.
Comparison with the old Level 3 Home Care Package
People at classification 4 often transitioned from the lower end of the old Level 3 HCP.
| Feature | Old Level 3 HCP | Support at Home Classification 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Annual funding | $38,454 | $29,696 |
| Care management fees | Provider-set (12-45%) | Fixed 10% ($2,970) |
| Funding structure | Single flexible budget | Three service categories |
| Clinical contributions | Paid from package | $0 (fully funded) |
| Budget delivery | Monthly | Quarterly |
| Unspent fund rollover | Accumulated in package | Capped quarterly ($1,000) |
| Waiting time | 6-12 months typical | Based on assessment priority |
Key differences
Lower headline figure, but more goes to care. The old Level 3 HCP was $38,454, but many providers charged 25% to 40% in fees, leaving $23,000 to $29,000 for actual services. Classification 4 provides $29,696 with a fixed 10% fee, leaving $26,727 for services. For people who were with high-fee providers, the net service amount is comparable or better.
Clinical services are now free. Under the old system, every nursing visit and physio session reduced your available budget. At classification 4, clinical services cost you nothing. If you need two nursing visits per week and fortnightly physio, that could represent $8,000 to $12,000 in services that no longer come out of your care budget.
More targeted funding. The old system gave you one budget to spend on anything approved. The three-category model directs funding toward clinical, independence, and everyday living services separately. This ensures clinical care is protected but reduces flexibility.
If your needs were higher within old Level 3. People whose needs sat at the higher end of old Level 3 have typically been mapped to classification 5 ($39,697) or classification 6 ($48,114) rather than classification 4. If you feel classification 4 does not reflect your needs, request a reassessment.
Managing your budget at classification 4
With nearly $27,000 available for services annually, classification 4 requires some planning to use effectively.
Prioritise clinical services
Since clinical services are fully funded with no personal contribution, make full use of the nursing and allied health services your care plan includes. Regular physiotherapy can prevent falls and maintain mobility. Nursing monitoring can catch health issues early and avoid hospital admissions.
Plan across the quarter
Your funding arrives quarterly. Work with your provider to spread services evenly across each quarter rather than front-loading or leaving unused funds at the end. Review your spending monthly so you can adjust before the quarter closes.
Use the rollover wisely
The quarterly rollover (up to $1,000) lets you save a small buffer for unexpected needs. If you come home from hospital and need extra support for a few weeks, having funds in reserve helps.
Request a reassessment if needed
Classification 4 is not fixed. If your health declines, your mobility worsens, or you need more personal care, contact My Aged Care to request a reassessment. Do not wait for a crisis. Document the changes and ask your GP for a supporting letter.
Short-term pathways
In addition to your ongoing classification 4 funding, you may be eligible for short-term support pathways:
- Assistive Technology and Home Modifications pathway: Up to $15,000 for equipment and modifications, separate from your ongoing budget
- Restorative Care pathway: Approximately $6,000 for focused allied health programs over 16 weeks
These pathways can supplement your classification 4 funding and are worth discussing with your provider.
Moving between classifications
Your classification can change as your needs change.
Moving up to classifications 5-8
If your care needs increase significantly, you may qualify for a higher classification. Classification 5 ($39,697/year) and classification 6 ($48,114/year) provide more funding for people with moderate-high to high care needs. Contact My Aged Care for a reassessment. You can continue with your existing provider.
For information about the highest classifications, see our guide to Support at Home levels 7-8.
Moving down to classifications 1-3
If your health improves after rehabilitation or resolution of a temporary condition, you may be reassessed to a lower classification. For information about the basic classifications, see our guide to Support at Home levels 1-3.
Find the right provider for classification 4
At classification 4, you need a provider who can coordinate nursing, allied health, personal care, and domestic services effectively. Look for providers with:
- Transparent pricing across all three service categories
- Direct employment of clinical staff rather than subcontracting
- Good local availability for regular visits
- Experience coordinating care across multiple disciplines
- Clear communication about how your budget is tracking
Carevo connects older Australians with experienced aged care providers who understand intermediate care needs, drawing on a directory of 2,131 aged care providers across the country. Whether you are transitioning from an old Level 3 package, have just been assessed, or need to change providers, 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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