8 Levels of Support at Home | Funding Classifications | RusCare
Replacing 4 HCP Levels from November 2025

8 Levels of Support at Home

More precise funding classifications designed to better match your assessed care needs. Each classification provides a quarterly budget for ongoing in-home aged care services.

8
Funding Classifications
4
Previous HCP Levels
3
Service Categories

How the 8 Levels Work

Support at Home provides 8 ongoing service classifications to better align funding with your specific care requirements. Your classification determines your quarterly budget and the services you can access.

Your Classification is Based on Your Assessment

A trained aged care assessor evaluates your daily living needs, health conditions, social support, and overall wellbeing to assign the most appropriate classification. You can request a re-assessment if your needs change. Classifications 4, 6, and 8 align with the previous HCP Levels 2, 3, and 4 respectively.

1

Classification 1

Basic Support Level

Entry-level support designed for individuals beginning their aged care journey with minimal assistance needs. Ideal for those who are generally independent but require occasional help with specific tasks to maintain their quality of life at home.

Who This is For

  • Independent individuals needing minimal assistance
  • Basic help with household tasks
  • Light domestic assistance needs
  • Social connection support

Typical Services

  • Light housework and cleaning
  • Shopping assistance
  • Social support and companionship
  • Basic meal preparation
  • Transport to appointments
Quarterly Budget
Determined by assessment
2

Classification 2

Low Support Level

Low-level support for individuals requiring regular assistance with daily activities and social engagement. Suitable for those who need more help than basic support but can still manage many tasks independently.

Who This is For

  • Individuals with low-level care needs
  • Regular assistance with daily tasks
  • Need for social support programs
  • Help maintaining home environment

Typical Services

  • Regular domestic assistance
  • Meal preparation and delivery
  • Personal care (showering assistance)
  • Social activities and outings
  • Gardening and home maintenance
  • Transport services
Quarterly Budget
Determined by assessment
3

Classification 3

Low-Moderate Support

Low to moderate support for those needing regular assistance with personal care and domestic tasks. Bridges the gap between low and moderate care needs, providing more comprehensive daily living support.

Who This is For

  • Regular personal care assistance needed
  • Increased domestic help requirements
  • Some clinical care monitoring
  • Mobility support needed

Typical Services

  • Daily personal care assistance
  • Comprehensive domestic support
  • Basic nursing care (medication management)
  • Mobility aids and equipment
  • Respite care for family carers
  • Allied health services
Quarterly Budget
Determined by assessment
4

Classification 4

Moderate Support Level

Equivalent to previous HCP Level 2. Moderate care needs with increased service hours for personal care, clinical support, and daily living assistance. Suitable for those requiring regular professional care coordination.

Who This is For

  • Moderate care needs (former HCP Level 2)
  • Regular clinical care required
  • Significant personal care needs
  • Complex care coordination needed

Typical Services

  • Comprehensive personal care
  • Regular nursing care
  • Physiotherapy and occupational therapy
  • Continence care
  • Chronic disease management
  • Care plan reviews
  • Full domestic assistance
Quarterly Budget
Equivalent to former HCP Level 2
5

Classification 5

Moderate-High Support

Moderate to high support for individuals transitioning to higher care needs. Provides comprehensive clinical and personal support for those with increasing complexity in their health conditions and daily living requirements.

Who This is For

  • Transitioning to higher care needs
  • Increasing clinical requirements
  • Complex health conditions
  • Extensive personal care support

Typical Services

  • Intensive nursing care
  • Complex wound care
  • Multiple allied health disciplines
  • High-level personal care
  • Extensive continence management
  • Dementia support
  • Palliative care coordination
Quarterly Budget
Determined by assessment
6

Classification 6

High Support Level

Equivalent to previous HCP Level 3. High support for intermediate care needs with comprehensive services. Designed for individuals requiring significant daily assistance with complex clinical and personal care requirements.

Who This is For

  • High care needs (former HCP Level 3)
  • Complex clinical conditions
  • Significant mobility limitations
  • High-level dementia support needed

Typical Services

  • Daily registered nursing care
  • Complex medication management
  • Advanced wound care
  • Multiple daily personal care visits
  • Extensive allied health programs
  • Assistive technology
  • Home modifications
  • Intensive respite care
Quarterly Budget
Equivalent to former HCP Level 3
7

Classification 7

Very High Support

Very high support for individuals with complex care needs requiring extensive clinical and personal support. Provides comprehensive care coordination for those with multiple chronic conditions and high dependency levels.

Who This is For

  • Very complex health conditions
  • High dependency for daily tasks
  • Advanced dementia care
  • Multiple chronic diseases

Typical Services

  • 24/7 emergency support access
  • Multiple daily nursing visits
  • Advanced clinical procedures
  • Round-the-clock care coordination
  • Complex behavioral support
  • Extensive equipment and modifications
  • High-level palliative care
Quarterly Budget
Determined by assessment
8

Classification 8

Maximum Support Level

Equivalent to previous HCP Level 4. Maximum support for the highest level of complex care needs. Designed for individuals with the most intensive clinical and personal care requirements who wish to remain living at home.

Who This is For

  • Maximum care needs (former HCP Level 4)
  • Most complex clinical situations
  • High-level dependency
  • Alternative to residential care

Typical Services

  • Comprehensive 24/7 support
  • Advanced nursing procedures
  • Complex pain management
  • Multiple allied health practitioners
  • High-level dementia support
  • Extensive equipment and technology
  • Major home modifications
  • Comprehensive palliative care
Quarterly Budget
Equivalent to former HCP Level 4

From HCP Levels to SAH Classifications

If you currently receive a Home Care Package, your funding will automatically transfer to the equivalent Support at Home classification on 1 November 2025.

Previous HCP Level New SAH Classification Description
HCP Level 1 Classification 1 or 2 Basic to low support level
HCP Level 2 Classification 4 Moderate support level
HCP Level 3 Classification 6 High support level
HCP Level 4 Classification 8 Maximum support level

No Worse Off Guarantee

If you were already receiving a Home Care Package, on the National Priority System, or assessed as eligible on or before 12 September 2024, you will be no worse off under Support at Home. You'll maintain the same or better funding level and pay the same or lower contributions.

Need Help Understanding Your Classification?

Our experienced team can guide you through the new classification system and help you understand which level of support best suits your needs. Contact RusCare today.