Support at Home Classification 7: $58,148 (2026)
Andre Smith
Co-founder & CEO
Key points
- Support at Home classification 7 is for older Australians with high care needs
- Annual funding of $58,148.15 ($14,537.04 per quarter)
- 10% care management deduction of $5,814.82 leaves approximately $52,333.34 for services per year
- Clinical services (nursing, allied health) are fully funded at 0% 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
- One of the two highest classifications, an alternative to residential care for many people
- Reassessment to classification 8 is available if your needs increase further
What is Support at Home classification 7?
Classification 7 is the seventh tier of Australia’s eight-level Support at Home program. It is designed for people with high care needs who require extensive support across most areas of daily life, often several times a day.
At this level, you likely need help with personal care every day, regular nursing for chronic or complex conditions, and consistent support to stay safely at home. For many people, classification 7 is a genuine alternative to moving into residential aged care. Together with classification 8, it forms the top tier of in-home support funding.
Classification 7 is the closest current equivalent to the former Home Care Package Level 4. For how it sits alongside the highest band, see our guide to Support at Home levels 7-8. For a full overview of the entire program, see the Support at Home Program complete guide.
Funding breakdown
Classification 7 provides a set annual budget paid in quarterly instalments. The government deducts 10% for care management before the remaining amount goes toward your services. These amounts took effect on 1 November 2025 and are indexed each July.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Quarterly budget | $14,537.04 |
| Annual total | $58,148.15 |
| Care management deduction (10%) | $5,814.82 |
| Available for services (annual) | $52,333.34 |
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.
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 7, 10% of the quarterly budget is roughly $1,454, so that is the amount you could carry over 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, including care plan development, coordination of services, regular reviews, and My Aged Care reporting. At classification 7 the deduction is $5,814.82 per year. Under the old HCP system, some providers charged over 40% in combined administration and care management fees. The fixed 10% cap under Support at Home is a significant improvement for most participants, and it matters more at higher classifications where the dollar amounts are larger.
Three service categories and what you pay
Under Support at Home, services fall into three categories. Each has different rules about what the government funds and what you contribute.
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 with no participant contribution. From 1 October 2026, personal care (showering, dressing, grooming, non-clinical continence, eating, hygiene, and help self-administering medication) also moves into clinical supports and is fully government funded.
At classification 7, clinical services often form a large part of your plan. Regular registered nurse visits for wound care, medication management, or chronic disease support, along with frequent allied health, are common. Because these cost you nothing, your remaining budget can go further on everyday living and independence supports.
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. (Until 1 October 2026, personal care such as showering, dressing, and grooming sat in this category and attracted a contribution. From 1 October 2026, personal care moves into clinical supports and is fully government funded with no participant contribution.)
At this level, you might need help with personal care multiple times a day, more substantial home modifications such as a wet-room conversion or ramps, and assistive technology like a hospital bed, pressure mattress, or mobility hoist.
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.
At classification 7, everyday living services support the daily running of your household. Regular cleaning, laundry, meal preparation, transport to appointments, and social support to reduce isolation are all common 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% |
Part-pensioners and Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders sit on a means-tested sliding scale between the bounds shown above. Clinical care is 0% for everyone.
Source: My Aged Care
What this means in practice
Consider a full pension recipient at classification 7 with $52,333 available for services. If they use $20,000 on clinical services (regular nursing, physio, podiatry, and from 1 October 2026 personal care), they pay nothing. For $12,000 of independence services (home modifications, assistive technology), they contribute 5%, which is $600. For $20,333 of everyday living services (cleaning, transport, meals, social support), they contribute 17.5%, which is approximately $3,558. Total annual contribution: approximately $4,158.
A self-funded retiree without a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card at the same classification would pay nothing for clinical services, up to 50% for independence services ($6,000), and up to 80% for everyday living services (approximately $16,266). Total annual contribution: up to approximately $22,266.
To work out your own figures based on your income group and service mix, you can estimate your Support at Home budget and contributions before you choose a provider.
Lifetime contribution cap
Your total contributions across all aged care services are capped at $135,318.69 (as of November 2025, subject to annual indexation). This protects people who receive care over many years, which matters at high classifications where annual contributions can be larger.
What services are covered at classification 7
With approximately $52,333 available for services after care management, classification 7 provides enough funding for extensive daily support.
Typical services include:
- Personal care assistance once or several times per day (showering, dressing, toileting, grooming)
- Regular registered nursing visits (wound care, medication management, chronic disease support)
- Allied health on a regular schedule (physiotherapy, occupational therapy, podiatry, dietetics)
- Domestic assistance several times per week (cleaning, laundry, tidying)
- Meal preparation most days
- Transport to medical appointments and social activities
- Social support and companionship to reduce isolation
- Respite support to give family carers a break
- Larger home modifications (ramps, wet-room conversion, accessible fittings)
- Higher-level assistive technology (hospital bed, pressure mattress, mobility hoist)
At classification 7, you might receive around 18 to 24 hours of direct support per fortnight, depending on the mix of services and provider pricing. Clinical hours on top of that do not reduce your everyday living budget because they are fully funded. Across aged care inquiries on Carevo, the most requested supports are personal care, domestic assistance and allied health, which lines up closely with the daily personal care and domestic mix most classification 7 plans rely on. For current pricing benchmarks, see our guide to Support at Home prices in 2026.
Building an effective care plan at this level
Classification 7 gives you enough funding to combine daily personal care with regular clinical support and household help. A well-structured care plan might look like this:
Daily: Morning personal care, evening personal care Monday: Domestic assistance, meal preparation Wednesday: Registered nurse visit, transport to appointment Thursday: Allied health (physiotherapy), social support outing Friday: Domestic assistance, respite block for the family carer
The exact schedule depends on your assessed needs, your preferences, and your provider’s availability. Work with your provider to prioritise daily personal care and clinical needs first, then allocate the remaining budget across everyday living supports.
How many hours of care can you get?
Classification 7 provides $14,537.04 per quarter. After the 10% care management deduction, you have approximately $13,083 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: Margaret, 84, part pensioner
Margaret has limited mobility after a stroke and needs help with personal care twice a day, regular nursing for her medication and a healing wound, and household support.
Personal care (clinical support from 1 October 2026):
- 2 hours per day at $120/hr = $240 per day
- $240 x 7 days x 13 weeks per quarter = $21,840 across the quarter (before contributions, fully funded as clinical from 1 October 2026)
Registered nursing (clinical, fully funded):
- 2 hours per week at $210/hr = $420 per week
- $420 x 13 weeks = $5,460 per quarter, $0 contribution
Domestic assistance and meals (everyday living):
- 4 hours per week at $120/hr = $480 per week
- $480 x 13 weeks = $6,240 per quarter
Margaret’s contribution as a part pensioner:
- Personal care: from 1 October 2026 this is a clinical support and is fully government funded, so Margaret pays $0 (until then it sat in independence services and attracted a contribution of up to 25%)
- Nursing: clinical, $0
- Domestic and meals (everyday living, up to 50%): $6,240 x 50% = $3,120
Margaret’s actual contribution rate depends on her income assessment. A part pensioner on the lower end might pay closer to 25% on everyday living, which would reduce her domestic contribution to approximately $1,560. Because her personal care and nursing are clinical and fully funded, the bulk of her quarterly budget stays available for household support and transport.
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 everyday living services on weekdays when rates are lowest
- Bundle tasks in one visit (for example, personal care and light meal prep in the same morning) to reduce travel and minimum charge costs
- Use clinical services freely since they are fully funded by the government, including nursing and, from 1 October 2026, personal care
- Track spending quarterly and adjust your care plan if you are underspending or overspending
- Request a reassessment to classification 8 if your needs have increased and classification 7 funding is no longer enough
Is classification 7 right for you?
To be assigned classification 7, you must meet the basic eligibility criteria and be assessed as having high 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 high care needs that require extensive daily 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 7, the assessor is looking for someone who needs help with most daily activities, often several times a day. You might be someone who cannot shower or dress without assistance, needs regular nursing for a chronic or complex condition, and relies on others to run the household. For many people at this level, in-home support at classification 7 is the alternative to entering residential aged care.
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, taking 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 your doctor can make a referral on your behalf. See our My Aged Care registration guide for step-by-step instructions.
Comparison with old Home Care Package levels
Classification 7 is the closest current equivalent to the former Level 4 Home Care Package.
| Feature | Old Level 4 HCP | Support at Home Classification 7 |
|---|---|---|
| Annual funding | $62,589 (2024-25) | $58,148.15 |
| Care management fees | Provider-set (12-45%) | Fixed 10% ($5,814.82) |
| Funding structure | Single flexible budget | Three service categories |
| Clinical contributions | Paid from package | $0 (fully funded) |
| Budget delivery | Monthly | Quarterly |
| Waiting time | 6-12+ months | Based on assessment priority |
Key differences
Comparable to old Level 4 HCP funding. At $58,148.15 per year, classification 7 sits a little below the old Level 4 HCP ($62,589 at 2024-25 rates). But because the care management fee is capped at 10% instead of the 20 to 35 percent many providers charged, more of the funding goes to actual services. For a closer look at the old top package, see our guide to Home Care Package Level 4.
Clinical services are now free. Under the old system, every nursing visit or physio session came out of your package budget. At Level 4, where people often needed frequent nursing, this used up a large share of the package. Under Support at Home, clinical services cost you nothing, which frees up significant budget for everyday living and personal supports.
Less flexibility between service types. The old HCP let you redirect money across any approved service. The three-category model under Support at Home is more structured. While this protects clinical funding, it does limit your ability to shift budget between categories.
An alternative to residential care. Classification 7 and classification 8 are the two highest funding levels. For many people with high needs, the funding at this level makes it possible to stay at home rather than move into residential aged care.
When you might move to classification 8
Your needs may change over time. Signs that classification 7 may no longer be enough include:
- You need help with personal care multiple times every day and overnight
- You require frequent or complex nursing that takes up most of your week
- Your mobility or cognition has declined significantly
- You are at high risk of falls, pressure injuries, or hospitalisation
- Your current funding cannot cover the services you need
- Your family carer needs substantially more respite support
If you notice these changes, talk to your provider and contact My Aged Care to request a reassessment. The next step up is classification 8, the highest funding level and the closest in-home equivalent to residential care. For details on the top band, see our guides to Support at Home classification 8 and Support at Home levels 7-8.
If you disagree with your assessment
The Integrated Assessment Tool (IAT) has been criticised for underestimating care needs in some cases. If you believe your classification does not reflect your actual situation, you can request a reassessment. Contact the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) on 1800 700 600 for independent support and advice.
How to access classification 7
Step 1: Contact My Aged Care
Call 1800 200 422 or visit the My Aged Care website. A family member, carer, or GP can contact them on your behalf.
Step 2: Screening and prioritisation
My Aged Care will conduct a phone screening to understand your situation. Your assessment will be prioritised based on urgency.
Step 3: Face-to-face assessment
An assessor visits you at home and uses a standardised tool to evaluate your needs. 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 high, you may receive classification 7.
Step 5: Choose a provider and start services
Once classified, choose an approved provider. They will develop a care plan with you and begin delivering services.
Find the right provider for classification 7
Choosing the right provider matters at every classification level, and it matters most at high classifications where the budgets are large and the care is daily. At classification 7, you want a provider with transparent pricing, registered nurses on staff for clinical supports, the ability to deliver a full mix of daily services, and good availability in your area. Even small differences in hourly rates add up quickly across a $58,000 budget.
Carevo is a connection platform. We connect older Australians with vetted, registered aged care providers, with 2,619 providers in the directory to compare on pricing and availability. We can help you compare provider pricing and understand your funding before you choose. Carevo does not deliver care or employ care workers, and it does not set provider fees or conduct assessments.
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 2026-06-27Most-requested Support at Home services
Based on 938 aged care and Support at Home inquiries made through Carevo. See the full Support at Home Demand Report.
Need support at home?
Find the right provider for you or your loved ones through Carevo.
About the author
Back to Blog Co-founder & CEO
Andre is the co-founder and CEO of Carevo. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Marketing, and a Bachelor of Arts from UNSW Sydney, where his majors were International Relations, Politics, Information Systems, and Media and Communications, graduating in 2014, and went through the UNSW 10x Founders accelerator in 2023.
