If you have been approved for Support at Home Classification 4, you may be looking for a straightforward explanation of what this level provides.
This guide outlines how the funding works, the types of support it usually covers, and what to consider when planning your next steps. The aim is to give you a clear picture of what Classification 4 looks like in practice so you can make informed decisions with confidence.
Table of Contents
What is Support at Home Classification 4?
Support at Home Classification 4 is a mid-level care classification for people who need regular assistance with daily activities to continue living safely at home.
Key facts about Classification 4:
- It is one of eight Support at Home classifications
- It sits in the middle of the care scale
- It usually involves support on most days of the week
- It provides regular help with essential daily tasks
The Support at Home program includes eight classifications, ranging from Classification 1 (low support needs) to Classification 8 (very high support needs). Classification 4 sits in the middle of this scale.
People assessed at Classification 4 typically require consistent support with everyday activities, but can still remain living at home with the right services in place.
Common types of assistance at this level include:
- Personal care such as showering and dressing
- Meal preparation and basic nutrition support
- Household assistance to keep the home safe and manageable
- Ongoing support to help maintain health, safety, and independence
Who is Support at Home Classification 4 designed for?
Support at Home Classification 4 is intended for people whose care needs are significant and ongoing, but who do not yet require the more intensive clinical care associated with higher classifications.
You may be assessed at Classification 4 if:
- Personal care such as showering or dressing requires regular assistance
- Mobility limitations make walking, transferring, or getting out of bed difficult without help
- Household tasks like vacuuming, changing bed linen, or laundry are no longer safe to manage alone
- Meal preparation support is needed to maintain proper nutrition
- You need regular assistance attending medical appointments, including transport and support during the visit
For many people, Classification 4 represents the stage where care becomes predictable and structured, with frequent support visits designed to maintain independence and safety at home.
How much funding do you receive with Support at Home Classification 4?
The Government allocates a set budget for each classification level. For Classification 4, the current funding is:
- Quarterly budget: $7,424.10
- Annual amount: $29,696.40
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 high-frequency support needs. It sits above Classification 3 at around $21,966 per year and below Classification 5 at around $39,697 per year.
While the funding amount is the same for everyone at Classification 4, 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 4 usually provide?
The number of 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 $29,696, many people receive roughly 8 to 11 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 4 to 6 times per week, 45 to 60 minutes each visit
- Domestic assistance once or twice a week, around 1.5 to 2 hours total
- Meal preparation help several times a week
- A weekly outing, appointment trip or transport service
- Occasional allied health sessions, such as physiotherapy, which use more of the budget per hour
This classification provides enough funding for regular personal care most days, plus a solid base of household and meal support.
What does Support at Home Classification 4 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 indexed twice yearly on 20 March and 20 September.
Learn more about costs and caps: Support at Home co-contributions
Start comparing providers rightaway with a tailored report sent to you within 20 minutes. Get started here.
What services are included with Support at Home Classification 4?
Your Classification 4 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, dishwashing and changing linen
- Meal Preparation: Help preparing fresh meals or monitoring nutrition
- Transport: Assistance getting to appointments, shops or social activities
- Allied Health: Physiotherapy or occupational therapy to help with mobility and fall prevention
- Social Support: Someone to visit for a chat or take you on an outing
- Home Maintenance: Minor repairs and gardening to keep your home safe
What Is Not Included In Support at Home Classification 4?
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 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 4
Meet David, 81.
David lives alone and manages chronic heart failure and arthritis in his knees. He can no longer stand for long periods, which makes showering safely and keeping up with housework very difficult.
His budget of roughly $29,696 per year provides him with a typical mix of:
- Personal Care (5x week): A support worker visits on weekday mornings to help him shower safely, get dressed and put on compression stockings.
- Domestic Assistance (weekly): A cleaner comes once a week for 2 hours to vacuum, mop, clean the bathroom and change his sheets.
- Meal Preparation (3x week): A support worker helps prepare evening meals and portions leftovers so David has easy meals on non-visit days.
- Transport (fortnightly): Transport and support to see his GP and cardiologist.
- Allied Health (monthly): A physiotherapist reviews his exercise program and balance to help reduce the risk of falls.
Without this support, David’s family was worried he would need to move into residential care. With Classification 4, David retains his independence and his family has peace of mind knowing he has professional, practical help most days of the week.
How does Support at Home Classification 4 compare to other levels?
Understanding where you sit in the system helps you know if you are receiving the right level of care.
Classification 4 vs Classification 3
Classification 3 generally provides 5 to 7 hours of care per week, often covering a few visits for personal care and some domestic help.
Classification 4 steps this up to near-daily support, typically providing 8 to 11 hours per week. The key difference is the frequency of the visits.
Classification 4 vs Classification 5
Classification 5 is designed for intensive daily support and complex health needs, with a budget of roughly $39,697 per year.
If your needs expand to require frequent clinical nursing care, complex medication management or multiple visits per day, Classification 5 may be more appropriate.
Learn more: Receive a full breakdown of Support at Home classifications 1-8
Is Support at Home Classification 4 the right level of care for me or my loved one?
Classification 4 is for people who need regular, structured support most days of the week to stay safe at home, without requiring intensive daily clinical care.
It may be suitable if:
- You need help with showering or dressing most days of the week
- Household tasks are consistently difficult or unsafe to manage alone
- You need regular support to prepare meals and maintain nutrition
- You require assistance with safe transfers and mobility around the home
Signs it may not be enough:
- You are starting to need multiple care visits per day or overnight support
- Complex health conditions require frequent nursing or clinical monitoring
- Family members are still providing substantial daily hands-on care to keep you safe
If you feel the current funding isn’t covering your essential needs, it is valid and important to 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 of around $6,000 (up to $12,000 if needed) for up to 16 weeks 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 4
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 4?
Once your funding is officially allocated, here’s what to do:
- 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).
- 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.
- 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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