Support at Home Classification 5

Classification 5 Support at Home covers a wide mix of services, grouped into three main categories to support your health, independence and everyday life.

Clinical care:

These are professional health services delivered in your home, helping you manage medical needs without unnecessary hospital visits. They focus on treatment, recovery and ongoing wellbeing.

• Nursing visits

• Allied health such as physiotherapy, podiatry, dietetics, speech therapy and social work

Independence supports:

Practical assistance that makes daily living safer, giving you confidence at home and ensuring your environment works for you.

• Personal care (showering, dressing, grooming)

• Domestic assistance (cleaning, laundry, shopping)

• Transportation services for seniors

Everyday living:

Services that go beyond the basics, helping you maintain comfort, social connection and quality of life. These supports can ease the load on carers and ensure you stay part of your community.

• Shopping assistance for seniors and meal delivery

• Social activities for seniors

• Respite care for carers

The exact services you receive will be guided by your assessment and care plan, making sure your support matches your lifestyle and goals.

Your Classification 5 entitlements can be used for approved services linked to your care plan, such as health care, personal assistance, home modifications, transport and social connection programs.

It cannot be used for everyday expenses like rent, groceries, utility bills, entertainment or services already covered by Medicare or other government programs.

You may be eligible for Classification 5 Support at Home if you:

• Are aged 65 or over (50+ for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people)
• Live in Australia and be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
• Have been assessed as needing mid-upper support with health, daily living or community connection
• Have had an aged care assessment through My Aged Care. 

Eligibility is determined by the government’s independent assessment process. Holdsworth can help you prepare for your assessment, understand your Classification 5 entitlements and guide you through each step. Reach out to us for support.

Getting started with Support at Home is simple, and you don’t have to navigate it alone. Here are the key steps:

1. Contact My Aged Care at myagedcare.gov.au or call 1800 200 422 to request an assessment.
2. Have your assessment with a trained assessor, who will determine your classification.
3. Choose your provider – Holdsworth will help you set up your classification, design your care plan and connect you with the right services.

Reach out to our friendly team for personalised local support.

The Government funds most of your support, but you may need to contribute towards costs. This can include:

• A basic daily fee (if applicable)
• An income-tested fee (depending on your circumstances)
• Care management and package management fees
• Agreed extras if you choose additional services

From 1 July 2026, national price caps will apply to ensure fairness and transparency.

Support at Home is structured into eight classifications, each matching a different level of care and support:

• Classifications 1–2: light support, with occasional help for simple daily tasks and staying socially connected
• Classifications 3–4: moderate support, offering regular assistance with personal care, domestic tasks and community access
• Classification 5: mid-upper support, providing a balanced mix of health care, home help and social connection
• Classifications 6–7: higher support, with frequent or intensive services that often include ongoing clinical care
• Classification 8: very high or complex support, delivering comprehensive, tailored assistance for people with advanced needs

If you were already receiving a Home Care Package, you did not lose support. On 1 November 2025, the program was replaced by Support at Home, and you were transitioned to an equivalent classification that matched your previous level of care.

Your funding and services have remained largely the same, but the structure and terminology have changed. Under Support at Home, budgets are allocated quarterly and services are grouped into categories such as clinical supports, independence supports and everyday living. Additionally, 10% of your quarterly budget is set aside for care management activities.

For Holdsworth clients, we are guiding you through this transition, helping you understand your new classification and continue receiving the right mix of support. For personalised advice about your Support at Home classification, reach out to our team for a friendly chat.