Funding & pricing
Understanding your home care costs
For most older Australians, home care is largely government-funded. Here's a plain-English guide to what's covered, what you may need to contribute, and how to make the most of your funding.
Support at Home program funding
The Support at Home program provides government-funded budgets based on your assessed level of need. There are eight support classifications — from light support for daily tasks through to high-complexity care.
Amounts are indicative annual figures. Visit servicesaustralia.gov.au for current rates, or call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422.
| Level | Classification | Annual budget | Per fortnight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Entry Support | ~$11,000 | ~$423 |
| 2 | Low Support | ~$20,000 | ~$769 |
| 3 | Low–Medium Support | ~$30,000 | ~$1,154 |
| 4 | Medium Support | ~$42,000 | ~$1,615 |
| 5 | Medium–High Support | ~$55,000 | ~$2,115 |
| 6 | High Support | ~$70,000 | ~$2,692 |
| 7 | Very High Support | ~$98,000 | ~$3,769 |
| 8 | Maximum Support | ~$125,000 | ~$4,808 |
What you may need to contribute
In addition to your government-funded budget, some clients are asked to contribute a small amount based on income. Here's how it works.
Basic daily fee
A standard contribution of approximately $12.72 per day (indexed regularly). This applies to all Support at Home recipients regardless of income and is set by Services Australia.
Income-tested care fee
An additional means-tested contribution for clients whose income exceeds a certain threshold. Services Australia calculates this based on your financial assessment. Many clients pay $0.
Private gap (optional)
If you choose services whose cost exceeds your funded budget, you may top up from your own funds. This is entirely optional — we always make your funded entitlement clear before arranging extra services.
What does a typical Support at Home budget look like?
Here's a worked example for a client on a Level 3 (Low–Medium Support) package.
Example: Level 3 package (~$30,000/year)
Margaret, 81, lives alone in Parramatta. She was assessed for a Level 3 package.
Hourly rates and actual costs vary. This example is illustrative only. Your care coordinator will prepare a personalised plan based on your assessed needs and funding level.
What's covered — and what's not
Typically covered by your package
Not covered by Support at Home
Not sure what funding you're entitled to?
Our team can walk you through your Support at Home and NDIS options — no jargon, no obligation.
Book a free funding assessment