If you or a loved one has just been approved for Support at Home Classification 3, you’re probably trying to work out what that means in real terms. What does the funding actually cover? How many hours of care can you expect? And what happens next?
This guide cuts through the complexity. We’ll explain the funding, the services, the hours you can expect and the steps to take now. And you don’t need to be an expert in government policy to understand this because we’ve broken it down into plain English so you can stop searching and start planning.
What is Support at Home Classification 3?
Support at Home Classification 3 is designed for people who need moderate support to keep living safely and independently at home. In the new Support at Home system, there are 8 classifications ranging from minimal support (Classification 1) to the highest level of care (Classification 8). Classification 3 sits in the lower-to-middle range.
While Classifications 1 and 2 usually cover lighter tasks like a light cleaning or occasional shopping, Classification 3 is for people who need more regular, hands-on support. This usually means receiving help several times a week with essential tasks like showering, dressing, meal preparation, or getting around safely.
Who is Support at Home Classification 3 designed for?
This classification suits people who are mostly managing at home, but are finding that certain physical tasks are becoming difficult to manage alone. It’s often a good fit for people whose needs are ongoing rather than temporary.
Support at Home Classification 3 might be right for you if:
- You’re finding showering or dressing tricky because of balance issues, reduced flexibility or arthritis.
- You use a walking stick or frame and need someone nearby when moving around the house or heading out for appointments.
- Tasks like vacuuming, changing bed linen or hanging out washing are now too physically demanding, even if you can still manage lighter tidying.
- You need regular help getting to medical appointments, picking up prescriptions or staying on top of your medications.
Classification 3 is often the point where support shifts from being a helpful extra to being essential for maintaining independence and safety at home.
How much funding do you receive with Support at Home Classification 3?
The Government allocates a set budget for each classification level. For Classification 3, the current funding is:
- Quarterly Budget: $5,491
- Annual Budget: $21,966
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 moderate care needs. It sits above Classification 2 at around $16,000 per year and below Classification 4 at around $29,000 per year.
While the funding amount is the same for everyone at Classification 3, 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 3 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 $21,966, many people see roughly 5 to 7 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 2 to 4 times per week, 45 to 60 minutes each visit
- Cleaning once a week or fortnight, around 1.5 to 2 hours
- A weekly outing or appointment trip, 1 to 2 hours
- Occasional allied health sessions, which use more of the budget per hour
This classification is often enough for regular showering support plus some domestic help and transport. If daily visits become necessary, the budget may start to feel tight. At that point, a reassessment can be requested.
What does Support at Home Classification 3 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.
Learn more: Understanding Support at Home contributions and what you may need to pay.
What services are included with Support at Home Classification 3?
Your Support at Home Classification 3 budget is flexible. You can use it for a wide range of services to help you stay independent.
Common services include:
- Personal Care: Help with showering, dressing, grooming and toileting.
- Domestic Assistance: Cleaning, laundry and dishwashing.
- Meal Preparation: Help preparing fresh meals or monitoring nutrition.
- Transport: Assistance getting to appointments, shops or social activities.
- Social Support: Someone to visit for a chat or take you on an outing.
- Allied Health: Podiatry, physiotherapy, or occupational therapy to help with mobility.
- Home Maintenance: Minor repairs and gardening to keep your home safe.
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. Minor safety items like grab rails 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 3
Meet Elsie, 82.
Elsie lives alone and has arthritis in her hands and knees. After a recent fall, her confidence dropped.
She doesn’t need 24/7 care, but can no longer manage everything alone. Her budget of roughly $22,000 per year provides her with:
- Personal Care (3x week): A support worker comes on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays to help her shower safely and get dressed.
- Fortnightly Cleaning: A cleaner comes for 2 hours every second week to vacuum, mop, and clean the bathroom.
- Weekly Transport: A support worker drives Elsie to her local seniors’ group and helps her with her grocery shopping on the way home.
Without this support, Elsie’s daughter was worried she would need to move into residential care. With Classification 3, Elsie retains her independence, and her daughter has peace of mind knowing someone is checking in regularly.
How does Support at Home Classification 3 compare to other levels?
Understanding where you sit in the system helps you know if you are receiving the right level of care.
Classification 3 vs Classification 2
Classification 2 is generally for lighter support such as cleaning and shopping. Classification 3 introduces regular personal care and more frequent visits. The key difference is often hands-on help with showering or dressing.
Classification 3 vs Classification 4
Classification 4 is designed for higher frequency support, often daily. If daily medication supervision, continence support or dementia-related monitoring is needed, Classification 4 may be more appropriate.
Learn more: Receive a full breakdown of Support at Home classifications 1-8
Is Support at Home Classification 3 the right level of care for me or my loved one?
Classification 3 is for people who need regular, practical support to stay safe and independent at home, without requiring daily clinical care.
It may be suitable if:
- You are mostly safe alone, but struggle with specific physical tasks
- You need help several times per week, not daily.
- Your primarily physical rather than complex medical.
Signs it may not be enough:
- You have had multiple falls recently despite having support.
- You are forgetting to take medication daily.
- Family members are still “filling in the gaps” every day to help you cope.
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 3
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 3?
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 have 56 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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