Support at Home Classification 8

People classified at Level 8 often need coordinated support across several areas of daily life. Your services are selected from three official Support at Home categories. The exact arrangement depends on your needs, goals and preferences.

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 and wound care

• Allied health (physiotherapy, podiatry, occupational therapy, dietetics)

• Medication management

• Monitoring chronic conditions

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.

• Social activities for seniors, including group programs and outings

• Shopping assistance for seniors and meal delivery

• Companionship and community connection programs

• Respite for carers, giving them time to rest or attend to their own needs

Your assessment and care plan will guide the specific services you receive, ensuring your support aligns with your lifestyle and goals.

Your Classification 8 Support at Home budget can be used for services, supports and equipment that relate directly to your assessed needs and personal goals. Every item or service must be considered reasonable, necessary and consistent with the government guidelines for safe and appropriate use of funding.

Your budget cannot be used for:

• Day-to-day living expenses such as rent, groceries, utilities or insurance
• Purchases that are unrelated to ageing, mobility or functional needs
• Entertainment, lifestyle, beauty or cosmetic costs
• Holidays, travel or accommodation
• Services already covered by Medicare, the PBS or the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) 

If you are supported by Holdsworth, your Care Partner will help you understand what is covered, what may require supporting documents and what falls outside the rules. Our role is to guide you clearly so you can use your funding with clarity and stay within your approved budget.

You may be eligible for  Support at Home Classification 8 if you have more intensive needs that require the highest level of ongoing support at home. To access these services, you must:

• Be aged 65 or over (50 or over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people)
• Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
• Have been assessed through the government’s Single Assessment System
• Have needs that require higher levels of in-home care or ongoing clinical support

If your circumstances change, your classification can be reviewed. Holdsworth can guide you through the reassessment process and help you prepare.

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.

If you need help navigating My Aged Care or understanding your options, our friendly team can provide guidance and local support. Reach out to us for personalised advice.

Under Support at Home, the Australian Government funds a significant portion of your services, and your contributions depend on both your income and the type of support you receive. These fees are set by the government, not by Holdsworth, with Services Australia responsible for assessing your contribution.

Here’s how contributions work:

• Clinical care is fully funded by the Australian Government
• Independence supports may require a contribution of up to 50%
• Everyday living services may require a contribution of up to 80%
  

If you need to pay an income-tested fee, Services Australia determines the amount based on your individual circumstances. Your Care Partner can help explain how these contributions work and ensure you understand any costs before services begin.

From 1 July 2026, national price caps will apply across all providers to ensure consistency and fairness.

Holdsworth is committed to clear, transparent pricing so you always know what to expect.

There are eight classifications under the Support at Home program, each reflecting different care needs:

• 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

Explore the full list on our Support at Home collection page.

If you were receiving a Home Care Package, you were automatically transitioned to an equivalent Support at Home program as of 1 November 2025. Your funding and services remain comparable; only the structure and terminology have changed.

Instead of annual package levels, you now have quarterly budgets and entitlements under a classification that reflects your care needs.

For Holdsworth clients, we will guide 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.