Support at Home Classification 6
Introduction
The Support at Home program features eight funding classifications, ranging from lower-level support through to higher levels of care for those with complex needs.
In this guide, we focus on Support at Home Classification 6, which is designed for older Australians who need intensive daily clinical and personal care. We’ll cover what the classification means, who may be eligible and how much funding it provides.
What is SAH Classification 6?
Classification 6 is a marked step up from Classification 5, which is for those who need regular help with daily living, but may only need occasional clinical or therapeutic support.
Support at Home Classification 6 is for care recipients who need intensive support across personal care, clinical care, allied health and everyday household tasks. Those approved for Classification 6 funding are often living with one or more chronic health conditions, such as diabetes, dementia or advanced heart disease.
Who is eligible for Support at Home Classification 6?
Under the Support at Home program, you need to complete an aged care assessment to determine if you’re eligible for funding. The assessor will ask you questions about your physical health, mobility, cognitive function and living situation, and then consider which classification suits your support needs.
Generally, you may be eligible for Support at Home Classification 6 if your care needs have become more complex and you need daily or regular help to stay safe and well at home. This includes clinical, allied health, and personal care, as well as support with everyday living tasks.
If you’re still not sure whether Classification 6 may be suitable for your situation, you can ask yourself these questions:
Did you answer “Yes” to several of these questions? Then Classification 6 may be the right level of support for you.
To start the Support at Home assessment process, you can register online with My Aged Care or call 1800 200 422.
If you already receive funding but think Classification 6 may be a better fit, you can speak to your care provider or request a reassessment and care plan review through My Aged Care.
How much funding do I get with Support at Home Classification 6?
For Support at Home Classification 6, care recipients receive an annual budget of $48,114, which is divided into $12,028 quarterly payments.
Key funding points:
- Your total care budget consists of government funding, your contributions and any eligible supplements.
- You may be asked to pay a share of costs based on your income and assets. There’s a $135,318 lifetime cap on care costs (current as of 1 November 2025), so you’ll never pay more than this over time.
- Your care provider can deduct up to 10% of your quarterly budget for care management.
- When wait times for ongoing funding in the Support at Home Priority System are longer than expected, you may receive 60% of your approved funding upfront to access essential services. The rest of your budget will be assigned as soon as funding is available.
- Budgets are indexed each year on 1 July.
In addition to ongoing Classification 6 funding, you may also be approved for separate short-term funding pathways after your aged care assessment.
For Classification 6, the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications Scheme may be especially relevant if you need equipment or changes at home to move around safely.
The Restorative Care Pathway may also apply if you need short-term allied health or nursing support to maintain or regain function.
How many hours of care does Support at Home Classification 6 provide?
If you’re approved for Classification 6 funding, you’ll receive $48,114 annually. The number of care hours you can access for that amount depends on how you use your budget. You need to factor in:
- The type of services you choose (for example, clinical support services cost more than personal care or transport)
- Your service provider’s prices (hourly costs)
- Whether you’re required to contribute based on your income and assets
- Provider care management fees
Do I have to contribute to the cost of care services with Classification 6?
You may need to pay a contribution toward some services with Support at Home Classification 6 funding. How much you pay depends on two things:
1. Your Income and Assets
- Full Age Pensioner: Minimum contribution
- Part Pensioner / Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holder: Moderate contribution
- Self-Funded Retiree: Higher contribution
As a Support at Home program participant, you will be asked to submit an income and assets assessment (typically through Services Australia) to determine how much you contribute toward your care. While this assessment isn’t technically required to access services, if you choose not to complete one, you may be asked to pay the highest contribution rate.
2. The Service Category
The Australian Government groups aged care services into three categories:
When you put these together, you get an idea of how much you’ll need to pay out-of-pocket. My Aged Care’s Fee Estimator tool can help you estimate your likely contributions and plan your Support at Home budget.
What care services can I access with Classification 6?
With a Classification 6 budget, you can organise frequent, coordinated support at home. The care services you select will depend on your assessed needs and support plan, but may include:
Daily help with domestic assistance, including:
- home help such as cleaning, laundry or meal preparation
- shopping, errands and other regular activities
- transport
- support to maintain routines
- social support for wellbeing, such as community outings
Daily or twice-daily help with:
- dressing
- personal hygiene (showering, etc.)
- continence support
- safe transfers (like getting in and out of bed, a chair or the shower)
- mobility support around your home
- medication reminders
Daily care such as:
- continence management
- wound care and dressing changes
- medication support and review
- clinical care and health monitoring (blood pressure, glucose levels, pain, etc.)
- post-hospital recovery care
- allied health support, such as dietetics, speech pathology, physiotherapy or occupational therapy to support mobility, swallowing, communication and nutrition
Regular safety-focused maintenance, such as:
- lawn mowing
- weeding garden beds
- pruning small shrubs
- sweeping paths and driveways
- basic watering
- trimming low branches for safety
Additional Help
If you’d like more information about Support at Home Classification 6, or want to find out more about in-home care options, The CareSide team can help. You can reach us on 1300 854 080 or fill out a quick enquiry form and one of our care consultants will get back to you soon.
General Support at Home FAQs
How do I apply for Support at Home Classification 6?
To be considered for Classification 6 funding, you’ll first need to register with My Aged Care or call 1800 200 422. If you’re eligible for an assessment, an aged care assessor will visit you at home to better understand your health, daily routine and the type of support you need to continue living safely and independently.
If you’re approved for ongoing Support at Home funding, you’ll then be placed in the Priority System until funding becomes available. Once your funding is allocated, you can select a provider to help set up your care plan and organise the services you need.
How is my Support at Home classification decided?
Your classification is based on the outcome of your aged care assessment. During this assessment, the assessor will ask questions about your health, mobility, personal care needs, home environment and day-to-day routines. This helps determine which Support at Home classification best matches the level of care you need at home.
Who manages my Support at Home budget?
After your classification is approved, your care provider will help you plan services from the list of government-approved supports. These services should match your assessed needs and fit within your available budget. You’ll also receive monthly statements, so you can keep track of what has been spent and how much funding remains.
What if I have unused Support at Home funding?
When you have unspent funding at the end of a quarter, you can carry over up to $1,000 or 10% of your quarterly budget, whichever amount is higher. You can use these funds in the next quarter.
What if my care needs change?
If you feel you need a different level of support, you can speak with your care provider about reviewing your care plan. You can also request a reassessment through My Aged Care.
How do I move from a Home Care Package to Support at Home Classification 6?
If you previously received a Home Care Package (HCP), your funding has moved to an equivalent Support at Home classification. Your budget matches your previous package level, and unspent funds move with you into Support at Home.
What happens if Classification 6 funding isn’t enough?
If your care needs are greater than your current budget allows, you can ask for a reassessment through My Aged Care. This assessment will consider whether a higher Support at Home classification may be more suitable for your situation.
Depending on your needs, you may also be assessed for separate short-term care funding. This may include the short-term care pathways – Assistive Technology and Home Modifications scheme, the Restorative Care Pathway or the End-of-Life Pathway. These are separate from ongoing Support at Home classification funding.
- By Renee Lunder
- By Renee Lunder
- By Imogen Kars