The Support at Home Program, commencing 1 November 2025 as part of the new Aged Care Act, will replace the current Home Care Package system with eight levels of support designed to match individual needs at home.
At the upper end of this framework sits Support at Home Classification 8, intended for people with very high-level or end-of-life care requirements. These tiers deliver intensive, continuous support so individuals can remain safely and comfortably in their own homes.
While Classification 7 provides substantial assistance, Classification 8 goes further, offering the most comprehensive care, including 24-hour oversight and palliative services.
What is Support at Home Classification 8?
Support at Home Classification 8 is the highest level of funded in-home care available under the Support at Home program. It is designed for people with very high or critical care needs who require intensive, often continuous support to remain safely at home.
This classification supports individuals living with:
- Terminal or life-limiting illnesses
- Advanced dementia
- Severe physical disability
- Complex medical conditions requiring ongoing clinical care
Classification 8 typically includes:
- 24/7 monitoring or overnight support
- Multiple daily personal care visits
- Palliative and end-of-life care
- Symptom management such as pain relief and breathlessness support
- Clinical nursing services
- Assistance with mobility and transfers
- Specialised equipment such as hospital beds or hoists
- Support for family members and carers
The goal of Classification 8 is to maintain comfort, dignity, and quality of life while reducing hospital admissions and delaying or avoiding residential aged care wherever possible.
It provides comprehensive, coordinated support for individuals whose needs cannot be safely managed through lower classifications
Key Features of Classification 8 Support
Support at Home Classification 8 offers an in-depth range of services to address critical care requirements. Common features include:
1. Comprehensive Personal Care
Individuals at these levels often require complete assistance with daily activities, including:
- Full support with bathing, showering, or toileting
- Assistance with dressing, grooming, and continence management
- Help with mobility and transfers (e.g., from bed to chair or wheelchair)
- Support for eating or managing swallowing difficulties
2. Advanced Medical and Nursing Support
Classifications 8 includes clinical care to manage critical health conditions, such as:
- Administration of medications or injections
- Intensive wound care, catheter management, or other clinical procedures
- Monitoring of severe conditions (e.g., terminal illnesses, advanced neurological disorders)
- Coordination with healthcare professionals, such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists, or palliative care specialists
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3. Intensive Household Assistance
To maintain a safe and functional home environment, care workers may:
- Perform thorough cleaning of key areas (e.g., kitchens, bathrooms)
- Manage laundry, including heavy linens
- Arrange home modifications, such as ramps, grab rails, or widened doorways
- Conduct safety assessments to eliminate hazards, especially for those with mobility or cognitive impairments
4. Meal Planning and Nutritional Support
Proper nutrition is critical for individuals with critical care needs. Services may include:
- Preparing specialised meals for dietary requirements (e.g., low-sodium, pureed, or diabetic-friendly diets)
- Feeding assistance for those with swallowing or motor difficulties
- Coordinating with dietitians to meet nutritional goals
- Regular grocery shopping and meal planning support
5. Social and Emotional Support
Loneliness and mental health challenges are common among those with critical needs. Classification 8 provides:
- Regular companionship visits to reduce isolation
- Support for engaging in community activities, hobbies, or outings, where possible
- Emotional and spiritual support for individuals and families navigating critical health conditions
6. Specialised Equipment and Technology
To enhance safety and mobility, these classifications may include:
- Access to mobility aids (e.g., wheelchairs, hoists, or walking frames)
- Assistive technologies, such as fall detection systems or medical alert devices
- Home modifications like stairlifts or accessible bathrooms
7. Care Coordination
Classification 8, in particular, emphasises coordinated care, involving:
- Multidisciplinary teams (e.g., nurses, allied health professionals, and social workers)
- Regular care plan reviews to adapt to changing needs
- Liaison with family members or medical providers for holistic support
Who is Support at Home Classification 8 For?
Support at Home classifications 8 is designed for individuals who:
- Have profound mobility limitations or require extensive specialised equipment
- Live with critical or end-stage health conditions (e.g., terminal illnesses, advanced dementia, or severe post-stroke complications)
- Are recovering from critical surgery or managing multiple chronic diseases
- Need continuous supervision due to severe cognitive impairments or safety risks
- Require 24/7 clinical care and palliative support
This level is ideal for those who wish to remain at home, but need the most intensive support beyond what family or lower classifications can provide.
How Classifications 8 Differs From Other Levels
- Classifications 1–2: Minimal to moderate support, such as light cleaning, occasional personal care, or companionship.
- Classifications 3–4: Regular personal care, mobility support, and frequent visits for moderately complex needs.
- Classifications 5–6: Intensive daily support with clinical care, home modifications, and allied health input for complex needs.
- Classifications 7–8: Very high to critical support with multiple daily visits, 24/7 monitoring (Classification 8), and palliative care for the most severe needs.
Direct Alternative to Residential Aged Care
For many families, Classification 8 can offer a viable alternative to entering Residential Aged Care (RAC). These levels are designed to deliver intensive, continuous support at home, making it possible for individuals with complex or end-of-life needs to remain in a familiar environment rather than transitioning to a residential facility. Where clinically appropriate and safe, Classification 8 funding enables people to receive the same level of care they would expect in RAC, but with the comfort, dignity, and independence that come from staying at home.
Benefits of Support at Home Classification 8
The advantages of these classifications include:
- Maintained Independence: Individuals stay in their familiar home environment with tailored support.
- Personalised Care: Services address complex medical, physical, and emotional needs.
- Peace of mind for Families: Professional care reduces the burden on family caregivers.
- Health Monitoring: Regular clinical oversight prevents deterioration or emergencies.
- Enhanced Safety: Home modifications and assistive technologies ensure a secure living space.
How to Access Support at Home Classification 8
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 be provided 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
When 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.
Real-Life Example
Margaret is 87 and living at home with advanced dementia and late-stage heart failure. She experiences confusion, reduced mobility, breathlessness, and requires assistance with all daily activities.
Her doctor confirms she has complex clinical needs and requires frequent monitoring. She is approved for Support at Home Classification 8 due to the intensity and frequency of care required.
With Classification 8 funding, Margaret receives:
- Daily nursing visits to manage medications and monitor her heart condition
- Personal care support multiple times per day for showering, dressing, and toileting
- Overnight support to reduce fall risk and manage night-time confusion
- Palliative care focused on comfort and symptom management
- A hospital bed and mobility equipment installed in her home
- Respite support for her daughter, who is her primary carer
This level of funding allows Margaret to remain in familiar surroundings during the final stage of her life, rather than moving into residential aged care or hospital. The care plan focuses on comfort, dignity, safety, and supporting her family.
Why Choose Aged Care Decisions?
Aged Care Decisions offers a 100% FREE, fast and independent service to connect you with trusted care providers tailored to your needs. With the Support at Home Program starting 1 November 2025 and new out-of-pocket fees, now’s the time to sign up or review your provider for the best support.
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