Effective November 1, 2025, the Australian Government will implement the Support at Home Program, which will supersede the current Home Care Packages (HCP) and Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) programs.
Support at home – Tiers of care
This new framework introduces a more adaptable and personalized method for delivering in-home aged care services through a distinct, organized classification of eight Tiers of care. These Tiers are specifically designed to ensure that older Australians receive the exact Tier of care required to stay safe, independent, and well-supported in their own homes.
Why Shift from Four to Eight Tiers?
The transition from four Home Care Package Tiers to eight Support at Home Tiers demonstrates the government’s commitment to more accurately tailoring services to individual care needs. By offering a more detailed tier structure, the program better aligns funding and services with a person’s changing health, mobility, and daily living challenges.
These eight Tiers effectively bridge the divide between basic assistance and complex in-home care, ensuring that Australians receive the appropriate type of support at the right time, thus reducing the risks of hospitalization and premature entry into residential care.
In conjunction with these ongoing Tiers, there are also three short-term care pathways available:
- Restorative Care Pathway
- End-of-Life Pathway
- Assistive Technology and Home Modifications funding tiers
These additions offer greater flexibility for short-term or transitional care needs.
The 8 Support at Home Tiers – Explained
Each Tier corresponds to the level and type of assistance required to live safely and independently at home. Below is a general overview:
Tier 1: Entry-Tier Support
Designed for individuals who require minimal assistance.
Typically encompasses help with tasks such as housework, meal preparation, or transportation.
This replaces what is currently referred to as the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) entry-Tier care.
Tier 2: Basic Support Needs
Intended for individuals who need regular assistance, but not on a daily basis.
May include support with activities like bathing, dressing, shopping, or meal preparation.
Tier 3: Low Support Needs
More frequent assistance is necessary.
Could involve home modifications, mobility aids, or weekly personal care services.
Tier 4: Low-to-Moderate Support
Services begin to incorporate care coordination.
Appropriate for individuals with chronic conditions or those recovering from illness.
Tier 5: Moderate Support Needs
Includes a higher level of personal care, nursing, and allied health services.
Suitable for individuals with increasing care requirements.
Tier 6: Moderate-to-High Support
For those who need daily assistance.
May entail complex care planning, medication support, and regular nursing visits.
Tier 7: High Support Needs
Designed for individuals requiring substantial assistance to remain at home.
Includes intensive personal care, mobility support, and frequent nursing services.
Tier 8: Very High Support Needs
Represents the highest level of in-home support.
May involve multiple daily visits, complex care requirements, equipment needs, and carer support.
Participants are allowed to roll over up to $1,000 or 10% of their quarterly budget if it remains unused. This provides flexibility for larger purchases such as mobility aids or home modifications in the future. However, any unused funds exceeding these limits will not accumulate indefinitely, promoting the timely utilization of available support.
What services are provided at each tier?
Tier 1 – Minimal Support for Independent Living
Designed for older Australians who are primarily independent, Tier 1 offers occasional support with light domestic chores. Services typically include assistance with cleaning, laundry, meal delivery, brief welfare check-ins, and transport to medical appointments. This tier helps sustain independence while preventing the need for more intensive care in the near future.
Tier 2 – Light Personal Care and Social Support
Tier 2 provides more consistent contact, offering light personal care such as help with showering, dressing, and managing medications. It also encourages social engagement through assistance with shopping, meal preparation, and attending community activities. This tier focuses on promoting well-being through gentle, non-intrusive care.
Tier 3 – Moderate Assistance with Daily Living
At this tier, individuals need more structured support several times a week. Services extend to routine personal hygiene, mobility assistance, meal preparation according to dietary needs, and escorted transport to appointments. Household cleaning becomes more frequent, and care plans may start to include fall prevention and cognitive support strategies.
Tier 4 – High-Frequency Personal and Domestic Support
Tier 4 introduces near-daily care for personal and household tasks. This includes regular assistance with toileting, showering, dressing, and meal preparation, along with home safety assessments that may lead to modifications like handrails or non-slip flooring. Housekeeping is provided throughout the week to maintain a safe environment.
Tier 5 – Daily Support with Health Monitoring
The daily care process becomes more comprehensive, with services that cater to complex personal care needs, including catheter hygiene, medication management, and physical support (e.g., hoisting). Clients might require transportation for ongoing medical treatments and the installation of safety monitoring devices in their residences. The integration of allied health input becomes crucial to manage emerging health complexities.
Tier 6 – Comprehensive Health and Clinical Care
For those experiencing significant health challenges, tier 6 encompasses regular nursing care (such as wound management, injections, and glucose monitoring) along with daily personal care. Allied health services, including physiotherapy or speech therapy, become commonplace. Homes may be adapted for medical safety, with specialized equipment facilitating mobility and continence care. This Tier is focused on managing chronic conditions to prevent the need for hospitalization.
Tier 7 – Intensive Daily Multidisciplinary Care
Tier 7 includes several daily visits from a coordinated care team. Individuals usually require assistance with all daily living tasks—feeding, bathing, dressing, transferring, and toileting—often due to conditions like dementia or severe mobility challenges. Allied health, nursing, and personal care professionals work in unison to uphold quality of life and prevent early residential care.
Tier 8 – Highest Tier of In-Home and Palliative Care
Tier 8 offers the most intensive home care services available, often catering to individuals with advanced, chronic, or terminal illnesses.
Palliative care is a specialized form of support for those with serious or life-limiting illnesses. It emphasizes comfort, quality of life, and support for both the individual and their family.
Key components consist of:
- Symptom alleviation – Managing pain, nausea, fatigue, breathlessness, and various other physical concerns.
- Emotional support – Counseling and mental health services for the individual and their family members.
- Spiritual and cultural care – Acknowledging personal beliefs, values, and end-of-life wishes.
- Practical support – Aid with care planning, legal matters, and daily living necessities.
- Coordination of care – A team-based approach that includes doctors, nurses, social workers, and more.
- End-of-life care – Providing comfort, dignity, and support during the last stages of life.
Palliative care can be offered at home, in hospitals, aged care facilities, or hospices. Its purpose is to assist individuals in living as well and comfortably as possible for as long as they can.
It is essential, with symptom management performed by nurses and allied health professionals. Care may involve continuous monitoring, specialized equipment (hospital beds, hoists, feeding tubes), and overnight support. This Tier ensures dignity, comfort, and compassionate care at home during the final stages of life.
How Are Tiers Determined?
Eligibility is determined via the My Aged Care portal, where applicants undergo an in-home evaluation conducted by the Regional Assessment Service (RAS) for lower Tiers or the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) for higher Tiers. Evaluations take into consideration physical health, mobility, cognitive function, living conditions, and support networks.
Tiers can be modified over time through reassessment if needs shift due to illness progression, recovery, or injury.
Here is a more detailed comparison:
Home Care Packages (HCP):
- Four package levels: These levels establish the amount of funding and support provided.
- Basic daily fee: A required fee is charged, regardless of service usage.
- Income-tested care fee: An additional fee may be applied based on income.
- Focus on ongoing, complex care: HCPs are tailored for individuals needing consistent support with tasks such as nursing, allied health, and home modifications.
- Limited short-term care options: While there are some pathways, Support at Home will provide more dedicated short-term support.
Support at Home:
- Eight ongoing support levels and two short-term pathways: This allows for more focused and flexible care.
- No basic daily fee: You only pay for the services you utilize.
- Contribution based on income and assets: The contribution amount will be determined by a means test that considers both income and assets.
- Focus on tailored support: The program aims to provide the appropriate level of care at the right time, avoiding rigid classifications.
- Dedicated short-term care pathways: This includes a specific end-of-life care pathway. Comparing Support at Home to the Old Home Care Packages
Key Differences in Practice:
Funding:
HCPs provide a predetermined funding package, while Support at Home features a flexible budget that adjusts according to the services consumed.
Cost:
Support at Home seeks to be more economical, with costs reflecting actual service usage, whereas HCPs charge a standard daily fee and may apply an income-tested fee.
Assessment:
HCPs require an evaluation from an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT), while Support at Home adopts a more efficient assessment method.
Flexibility:
Support at Home grants greater flexibility concerning care levels and support choices, which may enable smoother transitions between different care levels.
| Feature | HCP | Support at Home |
| Tiers | Level 1 – Level 4 | Tier 1 – Tier 8 |
| Budget Frequency | Annually | Quarterly |
| Flexibility | Moderate | Highly flexible |
| Unspent Funds | Annual rollover | Limited quarterly rollover |
| Provider Transition | Less flexible | Easier to switch |
| Service List | Broad categories | Detailed services |
| Care Planning | Provider-led | Consumer-driven |
| Goal | Providers standardized, basic to high support | Providers tailored, timely, and adaptable care at home based on individual needs |
This new model fosters adaptability, transparency, and person-centred care, granting recipients enhanced control over their home care experience.
What This Means for Participants
- You will obtain funding that is aligned with your actual care needs.
- You can be reassessed into a higher Tier as your condition progresses.
- Those who are currently part of the National Priority System will keep their existing funding Tier until they are reassessed under the new framework.
What This Means for Providers
- Providers will administer care in accordance with specific classification budgets.
- Funding will be distinctly matched to assessed needs, thereby improving transparency and accountability.
Making the New Tiers Work for You
Transitioning to the Support at Home Program can appear overwhelming. Nevertheless, understanding these eight Tiers makes it easier to choose services that best suit your circumstances. The aim of Support at Home is not only to provide care but also to enhance your quality of life, allowing you to age with dignity, comfort, and independence in your home.
If you are uncertain about your eligibility or the services that may fit your needs, our professional care coordinators can assist you through the process, from assessment to provider selection and beyond.
For further help or personalized advice, please reach out to Support Services Connect Australia for the latest resources and guidance. Our service is entirely free, independent, and without obligation.