Support at Home (SAH) replaced Home Care Packages on 1 November 2025. One of the biggest changes is how the government now groups people by care needs. Instead of the old four-level package system, SAH uses three classifications. Understanding which one applies to you matters, it affects your funding level and the types of services you can access.
What are SAH classifications?
The three SAH classifications are based on your assessed care needs, not your age or diagnosis. The government's Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) determines your classification when you apply. It's a straightforward process: they look at what help you need with daily living, personal care, and support, then match you to the right classification.
Classification 1: Everyday support
This is for people who need help with day-to-day tasks but don't have complex care needs. You might need assistance with shopping, cleaning, meal prep, or transport to appointments. You could also need some personal care support. Classification 1 receives the lowest government funding, but many people find it covers their main needs well. If you choose a self-managed provider like Trilogy Care, you can often stretch those dollars further than with a fully coordinated service.
Classification 2: Ongoing support
Classification 2 is for people with higher care needs. You might need regular personal care, help managing medications, support with mobility, or assistance with continence care. This classification receives more government funding than Classification 1, reflecting the greater intensity of support required. Many people at this level benefit from a mix of in-home care and community services.
Classification 3: High-level support
Classification 3 is for people with complex, high-level care needs. This might include multiple chronic conditions, cognitive decline, or significant mobility issues requiring frequent hands-on support. Classification 3 receives the highest government funding. People in this group often need coordinated care across multiple services, though self-managed providers can still deliver substantial hours of care within the funding.
How your classification affects your care
Your classification determines your government funding level. But it doesn't lock you into a particular type of service. You can choose a self-managed provider, a fully coordinated provider, or a full service provider, your classification stays the same. What matters is finding a provider model that works for your situation. Self-managed packages, for instance, often deliver significantly more care hours than fully coordinated alternatives at the same funding level, because you're not paying the provider's coordination fees.
Getting your classification right
If you disagree with your classification, you can ask for a reassessment. Your needs might have changed, or the initial assessment might not have captured your full situation. It's worth doing, getting the right classification ensures you have adequate funding from the start.
Next steps: comparing providers
Once you know your classification and funding level, the real work begins: choosing a provider that suits your needs and preferences. Different providers offer different models, self-managed, fully coordinated, or full service. Comparing what each can deliver within your funding is essential. Use a comparison tool or speak to multiple providers to understand how much care you'll actually receive and what flexibility you'll have.