The Support at Home Program, launching on 1 November 2025 under the new Aged Care Act, replaces Home Care Packages and introduces eight classifications to deliver tailored in-home care. Classifications 5 and 6 are upper-mid-tier levels designed for individuals with complex or intensive needs, providing frequent and specialised support to help them remain safely and comfortably in their own homes.
These levels cater to those who require more assistance than moderate care (Classifications 1–4), but less than the intensive 24/7 care provided by Classification 8, the highest tier.
What Are Support at Home Classifications 5 and 6?
Support at Home Classifications 5 and 6 offer advanced in-home care for individuals with high to very high care needs, addressing significant physical, cognitive, or health challenges.
These classifications sit below Classification 8, which provides the most intensive care, including 24/7 monitoring and palliative support. Classifications 5 and 6 focus on frequent, often daily, assistance with personal care, clinical needs, and household management, enabling individuals to avoid residential care.
- Classification 5: Provides intensive daily support for complex needs, including frequent personal care (e.g., catheter maintenance, medication management, hoisting), health monitoring, and specialised equipment. Clients may require transportation for ongoing medical treatments and home safety monitoring devices. Allied health support is integrated to address increasing health complexities.
- Classification 6: Provides comprehensive daily care for significant or complex health conditions, like advanced chronic illnesses or severe mobility issues. Includes regular nursing (e.g., wound care, injections, glucose monitoring), frequent personal care, and routine allied health services (e.g., physiotherapy, speech therapy). Homes may have specialised equipment for safety, mobility, and continence. Aims to manage chronic conditions to avoid hospitalisation.
Both classifications aim to maintain maximum independence while ensuring safety and wellbeing through tailored, high-level support.
Key Features of Classifications 5 and 6 Support
Classifications 5 and 6 offer a robust range of services to address complex care requirements. Common features include:
1. Comprehensive Personal Care
Individuals at these levels often require significant 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 5 and 6 include clinical care to manage complex health conditions, such as:
- Administration of medications or injections
- Wound care, catheter management, or other clinical procedures
- Monitoring of chronic conditions (e.g., diabetes, heart disease, or neurological disorders)
- Coordination with healthcare professionals, such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists, or dietitians
Classification 6 often involves more frequent nursing visits and complex medical oversight compared to Classification 5.
Start comparing providers rightaway with a tailored report sent to you within 20 minutes. Get started here.
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 high 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 complex needs. Classifications 5 and 6 provide:
- Regular companionship visits to reduce isolation
- Support for engaging in community activities, hobbies, or outings, where possible
- Emotional support for individuals and families navigating complex 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 6, 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 Are Classifications 5 and 6 For?
Classifications 5 and 6 are designed for individuals who:
- Have significant mobility limitations or require specialised equipment
- Live with complex or chronic health conditions (e.g., advanced dementia, Parkinson’s disease, or post-stroke complications)
- Are recovering from major surgery or serious illness
- Need frequent supervision due to cognitive impairments or safety concerns
- Require regular clinical care but not the 24/7 monitoring provided by Classification 8
These levels are ideal for those who wish to remain at home but need more support than family or lower classifications can provide.
Classifications 5 & 6 can also serve as an alternative option for those who might otherwise be looking at Residential Aged Care, particularly when they are still reasonably independent. They provide a level of support that bridges the gap between lower Home Care levels and full-time residential care, allowing individuals to stay safely at home while receiving comprehensive assistance
How Classifications 5 and 6 Differ 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.
Benefits of Support at Home Classifications 5 and 6
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 Classifications 5 and 6
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
Consider Sarah, a 76-year-old with advanced Parkinson’s disease. Sarah struggles with mobility and requires help with daily tasks and medication management. With Classification 5 support, a care team visits twice daily to:
- Assist with bathing, dressing, and transfers
- Administer medications and monitor symptoms
- Prepare specialised meals for her dietary needs
- Provide companionship to reduce isolation
For David, an 80-year-old with early-stage dementia and heart disease, Classification 6 offers daily nursing visits, mobility support, home modifications (e.g., grab rails), and coordination with a physiotherapist to maintain his independence and safety at home.
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.
Here’s how our FREE service works:
