Being approved for Support at Home Classification 5 is a significant step, but the letter from My Aged Care often leaves families with more questions than answers. What does this funding actually buy you? How many hours of help will you get each week? And what do you need to do to get started?
This guide will help you understand what you need to know. We will break down exactly how the Classification 5 budget works, the types of services you can access and the realistic hours of care you can expect. We’ve stripped away the government jargon to give you the plain facts, so you can start organising the support you need.
What is Support at Home Classification 5?
Support at Home Classification 5 is for people who need intensive daily support to keep living safely and independently at home. In the Support at Home program, there are 8 classifications ranging from minimal support (Classification 1) to the highest level of care (Classification 8). Classification 5 sits in the upper-mid range, providing substantial support for complex care needs.
While Classifications 1 to 4 cover lighter to moderate support needs, Classification 5 is for people who require frequent, often daily assistance with complex personal care, health monitoring and clinical needs. This usually means multiple visits each day for essential tasks like catheter maintenance, medication management, hoisting assistance and ongoing health monitoring.
Who is Support at Home Classification 5 designed for?
This classification suits people with significant or complex health conditions who need intensive support but not the 24/7 monitoring provided by Classification 8. It’s designed for those whose care needs are ongoing and substantial, often involving multiple health professionals.
Classification 5 might be right for you if:
- You need personal care support most days or every day, including help with bathing, dressing and continence management
- You’re managing multiple chronic health conditions at home that require regular monitoring
- You have significant mobility limitations or require specialised equipment like hoists for safe transfers
- You need regular clinical support such as catheter care, wound management or injection administration
- You require ongoing allied health involvement as part of your routine care, such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy or dietetics
Classification 5 is often the point where care becomes intensive and coordinated across multiple health disciplines to prevent hospitalisation and maintain safe independent living at home.
How much funding do you receive with Support at Home Classification 5?
The Government allocates a set budget for each classification level. For Classification 5, the current funding is:
- Quarterly Budget: $ 9,924.35
- Annual Budget: $ 39,697.40
Important things to know about this funding:
- It is not paid to you directly. The Government holds the funds, and your chosen provider draws from that budget to deliver services and care management.
- It is indexed each year on 1 July, so the amount may increase over time.
- It reflects intensive care needs. It sits above Classification 4 at around $29,696 per year and below Classification 6 at around $48,114 per year.
While the funding amount is the same for everyone at Classification 5, the amount of care you receive can vary. This is because every provider sets their own prices for services and administration. A provider with lower fees will make your budget stretch further than one with higher costs
How many hours of care does Support at Home Classification 5 usually provide?
The number of care hours is not fixed because it depends on provider pricing and what services you choose. But we can give you a realistic estimate based on typical industry pricing.
With an annual budget of about $39,697, many people receive roughly 10 to 14 hours of support per week. This is a practical estimate based on typical service pricing and the fact that some of the budget is used for care management.
A typical weekly schedule might include:
- Personal care daily or twice daily, 30 to 60 minutes each visit
- Clinical nursing visits 2 to 3 times per week for wound care, medication management or health monitoring
- Allied health sessions weekly or fortnightly, including physiotherapy, occupational therapy or dietetics
- Domestic assistance once or twice per week, around 2 to 3 hours total
- Transport to medical appointments or community activities as needed
This classification provides enough funding for daily personal care visits plus regular clinical support and allied health services. The higher budget at this level reflects the complexity of care needs and the involvement of multiple health professionals.
What does Support at Home Classification 5 cost?
Support at Home uses a co-contribution model. That means the Government pays part of the cost of each service. You may pay the rest. How much you pay depends on your income and assets, and which service category the support falls into.
My Aged Care groups services into three categories:
- Clinical supports: You pay 0%.
- Independence: You pay 5% if you are a full pensioner, between 5% and 50% if you are a part pensioner and 50% if you are self-funded.
- Everyday living: You pay 17.5% if you are a full pensioner, between 17.5% and 80% if you are a part pensioner, and 80% if you are self-funded.
There is also a lifetime cap on what you can be asked to contribute. Once you reach the cap, you do not pay further contributions. The current cap is $135,318.69, and it is indexed twice a year in March and September.
Learn more: Understanding Support at Home contributions and what you may need to pay.
What services are included with Support at Home Classification 5?
Your Classification 5 budget is flexible. You can use it for a wide range of services to help you stay independent.
Common services include:
- Personal Care: Daily help with showering, dressing, grooming, toileting and continence management
- Clinical Care: Nursing support for catheter maintenance, wound care, injections, glucose monitoring and medication management
- Allied Health: Regular physiotherapy, occupational therapy, dietitian support, speech therapy and exercise physiology
- Health Monitoring: Observation of health changes, vital signs monitoring and early flagging of concerns to prevent deterioration
- Domestic Assistance: Cleaning, laundry and dishwashing to maintain a safe home environment
- Meal Preparation: Help preparing specialised meals for dietary needs or managing chronic conditions
- Transport: Assistance getting to GP or specialist appointments, rehabilitation sessions or community activities
- Assistive Technology: Specialised equipment for safety, mobility and continence through separate funding pathways
- Home Modifications: Safety rails, ramps and other modifications to enable safe movement at home
What Is Not Included At This Classification
Support at Home funding is limited to care services. It does not cover general living costs or things already funded by other programs.
- Rent or mortgage payments: The funding is strictly for support services
- General living expenses: Groceries, bills and entertainment are not covered
- Major home renovations: Large-scale construction is generally not covered. Significant safety items may be funded through the AT-HM scheme if prescribed by a health professional
Read the complete Support at Home Service List for more information.
A real-world example of life on Support at Home Classification 5
Meet Sarah, 76.
Sarah lives alone and has advanced Parkinson’s disease. She struggles with mobility and requires help with daily tasks and medication management.
She doesn’t need residential care yet, but can no longer manage safely alone. Her Classification 5 budget provides her with a typical mix of:
- Daily Personal Care: A support worker comes each morning to help her shower, dress, transfer safely and manage continence needs
- Clinical Nursing (2–3x week): A registered nurse visits mid-week to administer medications, monitor symptoms and check for health changes
- Weekly Physiotherapy: A physiotherapist works with Sarah to maintain strength, mobility and reduce fall risk
- Meal Preparation (3–4x week): A support worker prepares specialised meals that meet her dietary needs
- Weekly Domestic Support: A cleaner comes once a week to maintain a safe, clean home environment
Without this support, Sarah’s family was worried she would need to move into residential care. With Classification 5, Sarah retains her independence, and her family has peace of mind knowing a coordinated care team is checking in regularly and managing her complex health needs.
How does Support at Home Classification 5 compare to other levels?
Understanding where you sit in the system helps you know if you are receiving the right level of care.
Classification 5 vs Classification 4
Classification 4 provides moderate to regular support, often several times per week.
Classification 5 introduces daily or twice-daily visits and regular clinical nursing care.
The key difference is the intensity and complexity of care, with Classification 5 designed for those managing multiple chronic conditions requiring health professional oversight.
Classification 5 vs Classification 6
Classification 6 provides even more comprehensive daily care for significant or complex health conditions like advanced chronic illnesses.
While both levels offer intensive support, Classification 6 typically involves more frequent nursing visits, additional allied health services and greater clinical complexity.
If your needs include very frequent clinical interventions or you’re at high risk of hospitalisation without intensive monitoring, Classification 6 may be more appropriate.
Learn more: Receive a full breakdown of Support at Home classifications 1-8
Is Support at Home Classification 5 the right level of care for me or my loved one?
Classification 5 is for people who need intensive daily support to manage complex health needs and stay safe at home, without requiring the 24/7 monitoring provided by Classification 8.
It may be suitable if:
- You need personal care support daily or multiple times per day
- You’re managing multiple chronic health conditions that require regular monitoring
- You have significant mobility limitations or need specialised equipment for safe transfers
- You require frequent clinical nursing support for medication, wound care or other health needs
Signs it may not be enough:
- You need constant monitoring or supervision throughout the day and night
- You’re experiencing frequent emergency situations or hospital admissions despite current support
- Your clinical needs are escalating rapidly and require more intensive nursing intervention
- Family members are still providing substantial daily care to fill critical gaps
If you feel the current funding isn’t covering your essential needs, you can ask for a review.
What happens if care needs change?
Aged care needs change over time. You can request a reassessment through My Aged Care if your situation changes.
If there is a temporary setback, such as a hospital stay, you may qualify for the Restorative Care Pathway, which provides short-term additional funding without reducing your ongoing budget.
If your condition declines permanently, you may be reassessed to a higher classification with increased funding.
How to Access Support at Home Classification 5
Getting started with Support at Home involves a few simple steps:
- Register with My Aged Care – Begin by contacting My Aged Care, the government’s entry point for aged care services. You can register online at the My Aged Care website or by calling 1800 200 422.
- Screening and Assessment – After registering, you’ll complete a short screening. If you’re eligible, you’ll be referred for a full aged care assessment using the Integrated Assessment Tool (IAT).
- Receive Your Support Plan – Once assessed, you’ll receive an outcome letter with a personalised Support Plan that sets out your care needs, goals, and the services recommended for you.
- Enter the Priority System – You’ll be assigned a priority rating (urgent, high, medium, or standard) based on your care needs. This new system, which replaces the previous National Priority System, helps make sure those with the greatest needs receive funding and services first. Your place in the queue depends on how urgent your needs are, not just when you applied.
- Choose a Provider and Begin Services – Once funding is allocated, you’ll have 56 days (or up to 84 days with an extension) to select a provider and sign a Service Agreement so your services can begin.
Learn more: How to apply for Support at Home
What should you do after receiving Support at Home Classification 5
Once your funding is officially allocated, here’s what to do:
1. Check your letter and note the deadline
Your funding assignment letter shows your budget, classification, and the date funding was assigned. From that date, you have56 days to choose a provider and sign a Service Agreement (extendable to 84 days if needed).
2. Compare providers quickly
Not all providers charge the same. Some may stretch your budget to 7 hours of care per week, while others deliver only 5. Look for providers with current availability in your area, transparent pricing, and fees that leave more money for actual care rather than administration.
3. Choose and sign within 56 days
Select a provider that offers good value, availability, and the services you need. Sign your Service Agreement before the deadline to lock in your funding.
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