Support at Home Classification 8: $78,106 (2026)
Andre Smith
Co-founder & CEO
Key points
- Support at Home classification 8 is the highest of the eight classifications, for people with complex, high care needs
- Annual funding of $78,106.35 ($19,526.59 per quarter)
- 10% care management deduction of $7,810.64 leaves approximately $70,295.72 for services per year
- More funding than the old Home Care Package Level 4 ($62,589 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
- Designed as a genuine alternative to residential aged care for people who want to stay at home
- Effective 1 November 2025, indexed each July
- Reassessment is available if your needs increase or decrease
What is Support at Home classification 8?
Classification 8 is the top tier of Australia’s eight-level Support at Home program. It is designed for people with complex, high care needs who require extensive daily support, regular clinical care, and coordinated services to stay safely in their own home.
At this level, you likely need help with most activities of daily living, ongoing nursing for chronic or complex conditions, and a care plan that brings together several types of support. Classification 8 is the level the government intends as a genuine alternative to residential aged care for people who want to remain at home rather than move into a nursing home.
Classification 8 sits within the highest care group alongside classification 7. For how the two compare, see our guide to Support at Home levels 7-8. For the level just below, see Support at Home classification 7. For a full overview of the entire program, see the Support at Home Program complete guide.
Funding breakdown
Classification 8 provides the largest annual budget in the Support at Home program, paid in quarterly instalments. The government deducts 10% for care management before the remaining amount goes toward your services.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Quarterly budget | $19,526.59 |
| Annual total | $78,106.35 |
| Care management deduction (10%) | $7,810.64 |
| Available for services (annual) | $70,295.72 |
Source: Australian Government Department of Health
These figures took effect on 1 November 2025 and are indexed each July.
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. At classification 8, 10% of the quarterly budget is around $1,953, so that is the amount you could carry over. 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 8 this is $7,810.64 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 the highest funding level where the dollar difference is largest.
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, regardless of your income or assets. 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 8, clinical care is usually a large part of the plan. You might have regular registered nurse visits for wound care, medication management, catheter or stoma care, or chronic disease monitoring, alongside frequent allied health for mobility, swallowing, or pressure care.
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 may need significant home modifications such as a ceiling hoist, ramps, a wet-area bathroom conversion, or a hospital bed, plus help with personal care several times a day.
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 8, everyday living services keep the household running while the bulk of the budget goes to clinical and personal care. Regular cleaning, meal preparation, transport to appointments, and social support are 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 these bounds. Source: My Aged Care
Why clinical care being free matters most at this level
At classification 8, clinical care is often the single biggest line in the plan. Because nursing and allied health carry no participant contribution at any income level, the most expensive services in a complex care plan cost you nothing out of pocket. Your contributions apply only to everyday living and (until 1 October 2026) independence services.
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 is more likely at the highest classification.
What services are covered at classification 8
With approximately $70,295.72 available for services after care management, classification 8 provides enough funding for daily, intensive support across clinical and non-clinical needs.
Typical services include:
- Daily personal care, often multiple visits per day (showering, dressing, toileting, mobility transfers)
- Regular registered nursing (wound care, medication management, catheter or stoma care, chronic disease monitoring)
- Complex clinical care and care coordination across multiple conditions
- Allied health (physiotherapy, occupational therapy, podiatry, dietetics, speech pathology)
- Domestic assistance (cleaning, laundry, tidying)
- Meal preparation or meal delivery
- Transport to medical appointments
- Social support and companionship to reduce isolation
- Respite care to give family carers a break
- Major home modifications (ceiling hoist, wet-area bathroom, ramps, hospital bed)
- Assistive technology (mobility aids, pressure-relieving equipment, continence aids)
- Home maintenance and minor repairs
Across aged care inquiries on Carevo, the most requested supports are personal care, domestic assistance and allied health. At classification 8, these everyday supports usually sit alongside a heavy clinical and personal care load. For current pricing benchmarks, see our guide to Support at Home prices in 2026.
Building an effective care plan at this level
Classification 8 gives you enough funding to combine intensive clinical care with daily personal and domestic support. A well-structured plan focuses the budget on the highest-need services first, then fills in everyday living support around them.
The exact schedule depends on your assessed needs, your preferences, and your provider’s availability. Because clinical services are fully funded, many people at this level front-load nursing and allied health and use everyday living funding for the supports that keep the home running.
Is classification 8 right for you?
Classification 8 is for people with the highest and most complex needs in the Support at Home program. It is usually assigned to someone who:
- Needs help with most activities of daily living, often several times a day
- Requires regular or frequent nursing for chronic or complex conditions
- Has multiple health conditions that need coordinated management
- Is at high risk of falls, hospitalisation, or rapid decline
- Needs significant home modifications and assistive technology to stay safe at home
- Has a family carer who needs regular respite to keep going
If your needs are lower than this, you may be assessed at classification 7 or below. If you find that even classification 8 funding does not cover round-the-clock supervision you need, residential aged care may be worth considering. The sections below set out indicative hours and an honest comparison.
How many hours of care can you get?
Classification 8 provides $19,526.59 per quarter. After the 10% care management deduction, you have roughly $17,574 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.
Indicative care hours per fortnight
With around $35,000 available per fortnight equivalent budget over a quarter (roughly $2,700 per week after care management), classification 8 can fund a substantial amount of daily support. As a rough guide:
- Daily personal care visits, for example 1 to 2 hours per day, seven days a week
- Several registered nurse visits per fortnight for clinical care
- Weekly domestic assistance and meal support
- Regular allied health appointments
- Periodic respite for a family carer
A plan weighted toward clinical care stretches further because nursing and allied health carry no participant contribution. A plan with many weekend or public holiday visits costs more per hour and reduces total hours. To model your own mix, use the calculator linked below.
These figures are indicative. Your actual hours depend on your provider’s rates, the services you choose, and when you receive them.
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.
Home care versus residential care at this level
Classification 8 is the point where many families weigh staying at home against moving into residential aged care. Both are legitimate choices, and the right answer depends on the person and their situation.
What classification 8 at home can do well:
- Keep someone in familiar surroundings with their own routines
- Fund intensive personal and clinical care during the day
- Cover home modifications that make the home safer
- Provide respite so a live-in family carer can keep going
Where it has limits:
- It does not fund 24-hour on-site staffing. If someone needs continuous overnight supervision, the budget may not stretch to cover it
- It relies on a suitable home environment and, in many cases, a family carer being present
- Coordinating multiple providers and visits takes effort, even with care management
Residential aged care provides 24-hour staffing and supervision under one roof, which can suit people with very high supervision needs, unpredictable behaviours, or no carer at home. Classification 8 suits people whose high needs can be met with scheduled visits and modifications, and who have the home and support around them to make staying put workable.
This is a genuine fork, not a default. Talk it through with your assessor, your GP, and your family, and look honestly at overnight needs and carer capacity before deciding.
What happens at reassessment
Your classification is not permanent. Because classification 8 is for high and often changing needs, reassessment matters here.
- If your needs increase further, classification 8 is already the top level, so there is no higher classification to move to. At that point the conversation usually turns to whether home care can still meet your needs or whether residential care is more appropriate
- If your needs stabilise or reduce, a reassessment could move you to a lower classification with less funding
- Reassessment can be triggered by you, your carer, your provider, or My Aged Care, and is common after a hospital stay or a significant change in health
To request a reassessment, talk to your provider and contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422. If you believe an assessment underestimates your needs, the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) on 1800 700 600 offers free, independent support.
Comparison with the old Home Care Package Level 4
Classification 8 provides more funding than the highest old Home Care Package level.
| Feature | Old Level 4 HCP | Support at Home Classification 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Annual funding | $62,589 | $78,106.35 |
| Care management fees | Provider-set (12-45%) | Fixed 10% ($7,810.64) |
| 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
More funding than the old top level. At $78,106.35 per year, classification 8 provides over $15,000 more than the old Level 4 HCP at $62,589. Because the care management fee is capped at 10% instead of the 20-35% many providers charged, even more of the gap goes to actual services.
Clinical services are now free. Under the old system, every nursing visit and physio session came out of your package budget. At the highest needs level, that ate up a large share of the funding. Under Support at Home, clinical services cost you nothing, which frees up substantial budget for everyday living and personal care.
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.
For a deeper look at the old top level, see our guide to the Home Care Package Level 4.
Frequently asked questions
How much does classification 8 provide?
Classification 8 provides $78,106.35 per year, paid as $19,526.59 each quarter. After the 10% care management deduction of $7,810.64, approximately $70,295.72 per year is available for direct services. It is the highest of the eight classifications.
Do I pay anything for nursing at classification 8?
No. Nursing and all clinical services are fully funded by the government under Support at Home. You pay no contribution for clinical services regardless of your income or assets. Your contributions apply only to everyday living services and, until 1 October 2026, independence services.
How does classification 8 compare to the old Level 4 package?
Classification 8 provides $78,106.35 per year, more than the old Home Care Package Level 4 at $62,589 per year. Care management is capped at a fixed 10%, and clinical services are fully government funded rather than paid from your package.
Can classification 8 replace a nursing home?
It is designed as a genuine alternative to residential aged care for people with complex, high needs who want to stay at home. It does not fund 24-hour on-site staffing, so if you need continuous overnight supervision, residential care may still be the better fit. The right choice depends on your home environment, your overnight needs, and the support around you.
Find the right provider for classification 8
Choosing the right provider matters at every classification level, and it matters most at classification 8 where the budget is largest and the care is most complex. You want a provider with experience in complex and clinical care, transparent pricing, and the ability to coordinate nursing, allied health, and daily personal care reliably.
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, availability, and clinical capability. Carevo does not deliver care, employ care workers, or set provider fees. We help you compare providers and understand your funding so you can choose.
Call 1800 953 253 to be connected with a 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.
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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.
