From staying hydrated to maintaining social connections, you can take numerous steps to keep your brain healthy.
Home Care Package Levels 1 to 4 Explained: Which Level Is Right for You?
If you or a family member is looking into aged care support at home, you have likely come across the term Home Care Package. But what do the different levels actually mean, how much funding do they provide, and how do you find out which level you qualify for? This guide explains Home Care Package levels 1 to 4 in plain language so you can make an informed decision for yourself or your loved one.
Please note: from 1 November 2025, the Home Care Package program was replaced by the new Support at Home program. If you are currently on a Home Care Package, your funding has already transferred automatically. This guide remains relevant as many families are still navigating the transition and comparing the old levels to the new system.
1. What Are the Home Care Package Levels?
The Home Care Package program provided government-subsidised funding to older Australians who needed support to remain living at home. The program had four levels, each designed to match a different level of care need, from basic assistance right through to high-level complex care.
The four Home Care Package levels were:
| Level | Annual Funding (approximate) | Care Need | Suitable For |
| Level 1 | $10,271 per year | Basic | People with low-level support needs |
| Level 2 | $17,708 per year | Low | People with some ongoing daily support needs |
| Level 3 | $38,511 per year | Intermediate | People with moderate and complex care needs |
| Level 4 | $58,689 per year | High | People with high-level or complex care needs |
Note: These figures are approximate annual subsidy amounts from the Home Care Package program prior to the November 2025 transition. Under the new Support at Home program, funding is determined by individual assessed need rather than a fixed level. Speak to your provider or contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 for current funding information.
2. Level 1: Basic Care - Who Is It For?
Home Care Package Level 1 was designed for older Australians with low-level support needs. This is for people who are largely independent but may benefit from a small amount of regular assistance to stay safe and comfortable at home.
Common services funded under Level 1 included:
- Light domestic assistance such as vacuuming, mopping, and general tidying
- Help with grocery shopping or other errands
- Social support and companionship visits
- Transport to medical appointments or community activities
- Basic home maintenance for safety purposes
Level 1 was typically suited to someone who was still quite capable of managing their own personal care and health but appreciated some help around the home a few times a week. The annual funding of approximately ten thousand dollars provided a modest but meaningful level of support.
3. Level 2: Low-Level Care - Services and Funding Amount
Home Care Package Level 2 was designed for people with low-level but ongoing care needs. This level provided more regular support than Level 1 and allowed for a broader mix of services to be included in the care plan.
Common services funded under Level 2 included:
- All services available under Level 1
- Personal care such as showering, dressing, and grooming assistance
- Meal preparation and nutrition support
- Allied health services such as physiotherapy or podiatry
- Nursing visits for wound care or medication management
- Respite care to provide a break for family cares
4. Level 3: Intermediate Care - What Is Included?
Home Care Package Level 3 was designed for people with intermediate and more complex care needs. At this level, the care plan could include a combination of nursing, allied health, personal care, and domestic support delivered several times per week.
Common services funded under Level 3 included:
- Regular nursing care at home, including chronic disease management
- Nurse Practitioner home visits and telehealth consultations
- Comprehensive personal care support
- Physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and other allied health services
- Cognitive support for people living with dementia
- Higher-frequency domestic assistance
- Home modifications to support safety and independence
- Continence management support
Level 3 represented a significant increase in funding at approximately thirty-eight thousand dollars per year. People at this level often had multiple health conditions requiring coordinated care between a general practitioner, nursing staff, and allied health professionals.
5. Level 4: High-Level Care - Full Package Explained
Home Care Package Level 4 was the highest level of home-based aged care funding available under the old program. It was designed for people with high-level, complex, or intensive care needs who would otherwise be at risk of requiring residential aged care.
Common services funded under Level 4 included:
- Daily or near-daily nursing care and clinical oversight
- Nurse Practitioner management of complex health conditions
- Palliative and end-of-life care support at home
- Dementia-specific care and behavioural support
- Intensive personal care including full showering, dressing, and continence care
- Regular allied health including physiotherapy, speech pathology, and dietetics
- Significant home modifications and assistive technology
- Overnight or 24-hour care coordination
With approximately fifty-eight thousand dollars per year in funding, Level 4 allowed providers to deliver a high volume of coordinated services each week. For many families, Level 4 was the difference between a loved one remaining safely at home or transitioning to a residential care facility.
How much is a Home Care Package Level 4? The annual government subsidy for Level 4 was approximately fifty-eight thousand, six hundred and eighty-nine dollars. However, the exact amount available for services depended on the provider’s care management and package management fees, which varied between providers. Always ask your provider for a full fee disclosure before signing an agreement.
6. How Are Home Care Package Levels Assessed?
Under the old Home Care Package program, and now under the new Support at Home program, your level of support is determined through a formal government assessment process. You cannot self-select a level. The process works as follows:
- Contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or register online at www.myagedcare.gov.au to request an assessment.
- A trained assessor from a Regional Assessment Service or an Aged Care Assessment Team will visit your home to understand your needs, goals, and daily living challenges.
- The assessor evaluates your needs across a range of areas including physical health, cognitive function, personal care, domestic tasks, and social connection.
- Based on the assessment, you are approved for a level of funding that matches your care needs.
- You receive a letter from My Aged Care confirming your approval and advising you to choose a provider.
Under the new Support at Home program introduced in November 2025, the four fixed levels no longer exist. Funding is now allocated based on a more detailed individual needs assessment. However, the application process through My Aged Care remains the same starting point.
7. What Happens After You Are Approved for a Package?
Once you receive your approval letter from My Aged Care, you need to choose an approved home care provider. This is an important decision as your provider will manage your funding and coordinate all of your services.
When choosing a provider, consider the following:
- Does the provider have clinical staff including nurses or a Nurse Practitioner on their team?
- Do they serve your suburb or local area?
- Are their care management fees clearly disclosed and reasonable?
- Can they start services within a reasonable timeframe?
- Do they have experience with your specific health conditions or care needs?
8. How to Maximise Your Package Funding
Many Home Care Package recipients do not get full value from their funding because they are not aware of what is available to them. Here are some practical ways to make the most of your package:
- Review your care plan every six months to make sure it still reflects your needs
- Ask your provider for a full list of services available under your funding
- Use unspent funds before the end of each quarter, as unused funds may be managed differently under the new Support at Home rules
- Include allied health services such as physiotherapy and podiatry, which many people overlook
- Ask your Nurse Practitioner or general practitioner to review your care plan and recommend additional clinical supports
- Compare your provider’s care management fees against other providers if you feel they are too high
9. Support at Home 2025: How the Levels Are Changing
From 1 November 2025, the Home Care Package program was replaced by the new Support at Home program. This is the most significant change to home-based aged care in Australia in many years.
Under the new Support at Home program:
- The four fixed package levels no longer exist
- Funding is determined by individual assessed need across three service categories: Clinical Care, Independence Support, and Everyday Living
- Clinical Care services are fully funded with no co-contribution required
- Means-tested co-contributions may apply for Independence Support and Everyday Living services
- Quarterly budgets give recipients more flexibility and control over how their funding is used
- A new Assistive Technology and Home Modifications pathway is included
10. Book a Free Consultation with Expert Health Services
Expert Health Services is an approved Support at Home provider offering aged care services across South Western and South Eastern Sydney, including Bankstown, Revesby, Milperra, Padstow, Punchbowl, Lakemba, Randwick, Maroubra, Rockdale, and Hurstville.
Our team includes a registered Nurse Practitioner who can conduct home assessments, manage complex health conditions, and work alongside your general practitioner to deliver coordinated, high-quality care.
We offer the following services under the Support at Home program:
- Nurse Practitioner home visits and Medicare-billed telehealth consultations
- Nursing care including wound care, medication management, and chronic disease support
- Personal care including showering, dressing, and grooming
- Domestic assistance including cleaning, laundry, and meal preparation
- Allied health support coordination
If you are unsure which level of support you need, or if you have recently received your approval from My Aged Care and are looking for a provider, we invite you to contact us for a no-obligation conversation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Home Care Package Levels 1 to 4
What is the difference between Home Care Package levels 1, 2, 3, and 4?
The four Home Care Package levels represented increasing levels of care need and government funding. Level 1 provided approximately ten thousand dollars per year for basic support. Level 2 provided approximately seventeen thousand dollars for low-level care. Level 3 provided approximately thirty-eight thousand dollars for intermediate care. Level 4 provided approximately fifty-eight thousand dollars for high-level and complex care. From November 2025, these levels were replaced by the new Support at Home program, which allocates funding based on individual assessed need rather than a fixed level.
How much is a Home Care Package Level 4?
Under the old Home Care Package program, the annual government subsidy for Level 4 was approximately fifty-eight thousand, six hundred and eighty-nine dollars. This was the highest level of funding available for home-based care. Under the new Support at Home program introduced in November 2025, funding is determined individually rather than by a fixed level amount. Contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 for current funding information.
How do I know which Home Care Package level I am eligible for?
Your level of support is determined through a formal assessment conducted by a Regional Assessment Service assessor or an Aged Care Assessment Team assessor, arranged through My Aged Care. You cannot self-select a level. The assessor evaluates your daily living needs, health conditions, and personal goals before recommending an appropriate level of funding.
Can I change my Home Care Package level if my needs increase?
Yes. If your care needs increase significantly, you can request a reassessment through My Aged Care. A new assessment will be conducted, and if your needs have changed, your level of funding may be adjusted. Under the new Support at Home program
What happens to my Home Care Package now that Support at Home has started?
If you were receiving a Home Care Package before 1 November 2025, your services and funding transferred automatically to the new Support at Home program. You did not need to reapply. Contact your provider to review your updated care plan and confirm your services are continuing as expected.
Does Expert Health Services provide Home Care Package services in Bankstown?
Expert Health Services is an approved Support at Home provider serving Bankstown, Revesby, Milperra, Padstow, Randwick, Maroubra, and surrounding suburbs in South Western and South Eastern Sydney. We provide nursing care, Nurse Practitioner home visits, personal care, domestic assistance, and allied health support. Call us on 0414 072 871 to discuss your needs.
