Australia's aged care system provides services to support the needs of the ageing population. It helps older people who need support in their daily lives.
Aged care support can include everyday living and other needs. It can be in:
Many of these options are funded by the government. The Aged Care Act sets out a framework for the funding and regulation of aged care within Australia.
There are organisations that make sure aged care is safe and easy to access, including:
Your ability to access aged care support depends on your needs rather than on your age.
Support is generally provided to:
There are 2 types of assessment needed to access any government-funded services for older Australians:
Carers may also be eligible for respite services (Opens in new tab).
There are different subsidised aged care support programs provided for older people by the Australian government under the Aged Care Act.
Aged care services include:
There are also programs available for those living in regional and remote communities.
Services can include:
Aged care services can also help with your housing and living arrangements, and can include:
Many different providers offer care and support through funding agreements.
To apply for government-funded aged care you can call My Aged Care (Opens in new tab) on 1800 200 422 or visit their website to learn about aged care services.
My Aged Care can provide you with information on how to apply for an assessment (Opens in new tab). If you are eligible (Opens in new tab), they can help organise services.
If you are not eligible for government-funded care, you can access privately-funded services (Opens in new tab). You will need to pay the full costs yourself.
Read more about aged care home costs and fees (Opens in new tab), or use the fee estimator (Opens in new tab) on the My Aged Care website.
Carers are individuals who provide ongoing care and support to someone they know without getting paid. Carers may live in the same household as the person they are caring for. They may care for a person with:
The care for someone may be divided between more than one carer.
The government funds different types of respite to help families and carers. Respite is a short break for the carer, where the person being cared for is supported by temporary care services. This gives the carer time to rest.
Many people in caring roles find that regular breaks help them recharge when they're exhausted and avoid 'burn out'. It also gives the person they are caring for an opportunity to socialise and meet other people.
For practical information and useful resources for carers, contact Carer Gateway (Opens in new tab) on 1800 422 737 or the Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre on 1800 052 222.
You can also learn more about support and services for carers in your state or territory through Carers Australia (Opens in new tab).
Carer Gateway provides factsheets with information about being a carer in many other languages (Opens in new tab).
You can request a translation service to help you communicate with aged care providers.
The Partners in Culturally Appropriate Care (PICAC) provide support to older people from culturally diverse backgrounds. You can find more information for your state or territory on the My Aged Care website.
The National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) partnered with the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing to provide the Elder Care Support Program (Opens in new tab).
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Last reviewed: December 2024
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