What are aged care service categories?
From late 2025, every aged care provider in Australia must register against one or more service categories under the new Aged Care Act 2024. The category (or categories) a provider holds determines what services they’re legally allowed to deliver to older Australians under government funding.
This is a significant change from the old system. Previously, providers held different approvals for Home Care Packages, residential care, the Commonwealth Home Support Programme and so on — each with its own rules. The new framework consolidates everything into six clear categories.
The categories matter because they define what care a provider can deliver — and therefore whether your loved one can stay with one provider as their needs change, or whether they’ll have to switch.
The six aged care service categories
Category 1 — Home and Community Services
Day-to-day support that helps older Australians remain independent at home and connected to community. Includes domestic assistance, meals, transport, social support, and community engagement.
Real-world example: “Mum is 78, lives alone, still drives, but could use help with cleaning and getting to her hairdresser appointment.” That’s Category 1.
Category 2 — Assistive Technology and Home Modifications
Equipment, technology and home changes that support safe, comfortable living at home. Includes mobility aids, bathroom modifications, smart-home safety, personal alarms, and OT-led assessment and installation.
Real-world example: “Dad fell in the bathroom and we need handrails, a raised toilet, and maybe a stair lift.” That’s Category 2.
Category 3 — Advisory and Support Services
Guidance, navigation and care planning to help older Australians and families understand their options. Includes care navigation, advocacy, My Aged Care liaison, family education, and complex case planning.
Real-world example: “We don’t know where to start — Mum has multiple conditions and we need someone to help us work through the system.” That’s Category 3.
Category 4 — Personal Care and Care Management
Hands-on personal care delivered by trained carers, coordinated by a dedicated care manager. Includes showering, dressing, grooming, toileting, mobility, medication prompting, and care plan coordination.
Real-world example: “Dad needs help showering, and someone to make sure his medications are taken correctly each morning.” That’s Category 4.
Category 5 — Nursing and Transition Care
Clinical nursing care and short-term transition support after hospital. Includes registered and enrolled nursing, wound care, continence, diabetes management, medication management, hospital-to-home transition, and restorative programs.
Real-world example: “Mum’s coming home from hospital after a fall — she needs wound care, physio, and someone to make sure she’s safe.” That’s Category 5.
Category 6 — Residential Care (including Specialised Support)
24/7 residential aged care, including dementia-specialised environments. Includes permanent residential care, dementia and memory support, short-term respite, palliative care, and specialised behaviour support.
Real-world example: “Dad’s dementia has progressed to the point we can’t keep him safe at home — he needs 24/7 specialised care.” That’s Category 6.
How to know which category fits your situation
You don’t need to know which category fits — that’s a provider’s job to figure out. But here’s a rough mental model:
- Help with daily life → Category 1
- Equipment or home changes → Category 2
- Information and navigation → Category 3
- Hands-on personal care → Category 4
- Clinical nursing care → Category 5
- Residential 24/7 care → Category 6
Most older Australians need services from multiple categories at the same time — and almost everyone moves through multiple categories over the course of their aged care journey.
Why most providers don’t register for all six
Registering for a category requires a provider to demonstrate the systems, staff and quality controls to deliver those services to the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards. It’s significant work. Most providers focus on one or two — often home care or residential, but rarely both.
For families, this means having to switch providers when needs change. You start with a home care provider, then when residential care is needed, you change to a different organisation entirely. Care plans, clinical histories and trusted relationships often don’t transfer.
Why we register for all six at My Evervale
My Evervale is purpose-built for the new Aged Care Act. We register across all six service categories so families can stay with one provider through the entire aged care journey:
- Start with a few hours of home help a week (Category 1)
- Add allied health when needed (Category 5)
- Get respite when family needs a break (Category 1 or 6)
- Move into our residential aged care home when home is no longer safe (Category 6)
- Access specialised dementia support (Category 6 specialised)
One provider, one care record, one trusted team — through every category, every transition, every stage.
How to get started
If you’re starting to think about aged care for yourself or a loved one, the path is straightforward:
- Register with My Aged Care on 1800 200 422
- Get assessed (RAS for entry-level, ACAT for higher needs)
- Receive your funded support plan
- Choose a registered provider — ideally one registered for the categories you’ll need over time
- Start care
If you’re not sure where to start, contact My Evervale — we’ll guide you through every step. There’s no obligation and no fee.