New Aged Care Act
This information may change with the introduction of the Aged Care Act (2024), which goes into effect from 1 November 2025. Contact Advocare on the Aged Care Advocacy Line if you have any concerns or need clarification on aged care. Call 1800 700 600 or email rights@advocare.org.au
Commonwealth-funded aged care support
In Australia, Commonwealth-funded aged care services offer different levels of support based on eligibility, which depends on your age and assessment results. Your eligibility determines the type and amount of care you receive.
There are multiple types of aged care support available:
Short-term Care
Temporary support including restorative, transition and respite care following a setback, illness, or operation, or to provide a short break for you and your caregiver(s).
Home Care Package (HCP)
More intensive support with different levels of tailored care packages providing comprehensive services to help you continue living at home. Care coordination is a key element of this package.
Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP)
Low-level assistance with daily tasks like cleaning, shopping, and cooking to maintain living independently at home.
Residential Aged Care
24/7 support, accommodation, health, and clinical care when living at home becomes too difficult, unsafe, or is no longer an option.
Eligibility
Your age:
To be eligible for Commonwealth-funded aged care services, you must be:
- 65 years or older (50 years or older for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people)
- 50 years or older (45 years or older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people), on a low income, and homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
Your needs:
You are eligible to take an aged care services assessment if you have:
- Been diagnosed with a medical condition or have reduced mobility
- Been experiencing difficulty managing daily activities and self-care tasks independently
- Had a recent fall or hospital admission
- Experienced a change in family care arrangements
- Noticed a change in what you can and can’t remember.
What if I’m not eligible?
See more
If you’re not eligible for Commonwealth-funded aged care services, consider exploring non-government-funded options. Services like gardening, cleaning, transport, health therapies, or hiring a support worker to assist with personal care are available, but you will have to pay a fee.
Visit My Aged Care website for information on non-government funded providers here.
There are rare exceptions to the eligibility criteria, such as early onset dementia. It is best to contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 about your specific circumstances.
Other help
Support is available for people of all backgrounds and situations, whether you are an older person or care for one.
See more
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: Click here
- People from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds: Click here
- Older people with disabilities: Click here
- Older people of diverse sexual orientation and gender identity, including LGBTIQA+: Click here
- Care Leavers including Forgotten Australians, Former Child Migrants and the Stolen Generations: Click here
- Veterans, war widows and widowers: Click here
- People who are financially disadvantaged: Click here
- Older people who are homeless or facing homelessness: Click here
Getting started
If you believe you meet the eligibility criteria and want to access Commonwealth-funded aged care services for the first time, you must make a request for assessment. You can do this by:
- Calling My Aged Care on 1800 200 422
- Applying online via My Aged Care website here.
If you would like further information on what to expect when contacting My Aged Care, call our advocate team on 1800 700 600. Our advocates can also support you by attending a conference call with you and My Aged Care.
Get support
Navigating aged care services can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to go through it alone. You can reach out to a trusted family member or friend to help you.
Appointing someone to help you navigate aged care services can make things easier and less stressful.
To get started, visit the My Aged Care website here. Choose who you’d like to appoint and complete the ‘Appointment of a Representative’ form. Once submitted it may take up to 10 business days for the appointment to be processed.
If you would like to nominate an Advocare advocate as an agent, you can do this over the phone. Call the OPAN Aged Care Advocacy Line at 1800 700 600 for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get aged care services in place?
In total, the process from initial contact to the commencement of services can range from a few weeks to several months, depending on the type of services needed, the urgency of your situation and the availability of services in your area. For more urgent needs, it’s advisable to communicate this clearly during the assessment. You may be able expedite certain steps.
How can I find out how long I’m going to have to wait for services?
You can find information about your place in the national priority system and your expected wait time in two ways:
• Logging into your My Aged Care Online Account.
• Calling My Aged Care on 1800 200 422.
Don’t have an account? Follow the link here to set one up.
What is the difference between the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP), Home Care Packages and Support at Home?
The CHSP provides support for people with low-level care needs. If you’re able to manage, but need support with a few tasks at home, you might be eligible for CHSP.
A Home Care Package is for people who have more complex needs. You may be eligible for a Home Care Package if you need several care and support services on an ongoing basis to help you live independently. This will provide a package of care and services and go beyond what the CHSP can provide.
The Support at Home program replaces the previous Home Care Package program and Short-term Restorative Care program from 1 November. The Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) will become part of the Support at Home program no earlier than 1 July 2027.
How do short-term care packages differ?
Short-term support can be accessed via the Restorative Care Pathway. This replaces the Short-Term Restorative Care program (STRC) as part of the new Support at Home system. This pathway is for older people needing support to regain independence after a decline in daily functioning.
The Transition Care Program supports older people to regain their level of functioning after a hospital stay, before returning home. The duration of your stay in transitional care will depend on your recovery needs.
Respite Care provides a temporary break for caregivers. It can last from a few hours to several days and can be provided in a variety of settings. in your home, community settings and aged care residential homes.
