The language used within the aged care sector, systems and services can be confusing at times!
Search alphabetically for the term or acronym you’re looking for below. Depending on what you’re looking for you’ll either find a brief explanation of what it means or, what the acronym stands for.
AA
Alzheimer’s Australia
ACAR
Aged Care Assessment Record
ACAT
Aged Care Assessment Team
Accommodation bond
A lump sum amount that you pay for your accommodation in an aged care home if you entered care before 1 July 2014.
Accommodation charge
An amount that some people pay to contribute towards or cover the full costs of their room
ACCPA
Aged & Community Care Providers Association. National Industry Association for aged care providers offering retirement living, seniors housing, residential care, home care, community care and related services.
ACCR
Aged Care Client Record
ACQSC
Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission
ACSA
Aged & Community Services Australia
ACSO
Aged Care Specialist Officer
ACSRS
Aged Care Star Ratings System
ACVVS
Aged Care Volunteer Visitor Scheme
AHCWA
Aboriginal Health Council WA
AHP
Allied Health Professional
AHPRA
Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency
AMS
Aboriginal Medical Service
ANPEA
Australian Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse
APEA:"WA
Alliance for the Prevention of Elder Abuse: Western Australia”
AT
Assistive Technology
AT-HM
Assistive Technology – Home Modifications
ATSI
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
BDF
Basic Daily Fee
Bond costs
An amount that some people pay to contribute towards or cover the full costs of their room
CAB
Citizens Advice Bureau
CALD
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse
CHSP
Commonwealth Home Support Program
COS
Continuity of Support Program
COTA
Council on the Ageing
DAC
Daily Accommodation Contribution
DAP
Daily Accommodation Payment
DOH
Department of Health (Western Australia)
DoHDA
Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (DoHDA), Commonwealth/national department
DSA
Dementia Support Australia
DSOA
Disability Support for Older Australians
DV
Domestic Violence
DVA
Department of Veteran’s Affairs
DVAS
Domestic Violence Advocacy Service
EA
Elder Abuse
EAAA
Elder Abuse Action Australia
EAPP
Elder Abuse Prevention Program
ELCS
Encompass Legal & Community Services. Previously known as ‘Northern Suburbs Community Legal Centre’.
EPA
Enduring Power of Attorney
EPG
Enduring Power of Guardianship
ERWA
Elder Rights WA
FDV
Family & Domestic Violence”
FECCA
Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia
FIS
Financial Information Service
FVRO
Family Violence Restraining Order
GRAI
GLBTI Rights in Ageing Inc.
HaDSCO
Health and Disability Service Complaints Office
HCC
Health Consumers’ Council
HCP
Home Care Package Note: The Support at Home program replaces the Home Care Packages Program. This happened on 1 November 2025 under the new Aged Care Act.
HELF
Higher Everyday Living Fee
INPEA
International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse
ITCF
Income Tested Care Fee
MAC
My Aged Care
MHERL
Mental Health Emergency Response Line
MPS
Multi-Purpose Service
NARI
National Ageing Research Institute
NATSIFAC
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care Program
NDAP
National Disability Advocacy Program
NDHL
National Dementia Helpline
NDIS
National Disability Insurance Scheme
NM
Network Member
NRS
National Relay Service (hearing-assisted)
NSAF
National Screening and Assessment Form
NSCLC
Now known as ‘Encompass Legal & Community Services’ (ELCS). Previously known as ‘Northern Suburbs Community Legal Centre’.
OAMHS
Older Adult Mental Health Service
OPA
Office of the Public Advocate
OPAN
Older Persons Advocacy Network
OPRS
Older People’s Rights Service
OT
Occupational Therapist
POA
Power of Attorney
PT
Public Trustee
PWD
People with Disabilities WA
RAC
Refundable Accommodation Contribution
RACH
Residential Aged Care Home
RAD
Refundable Accommodation Deposit
RAP
Rehabilitation Appliances Program
SA
Services Australia
SARC
Sexual Assault Resource Centre
SAS Assessment
Single Assessment System
SAT
State Administrative Tribunal
SDM
Supported Decision Making
SIRS
Serious Incident Response Scheme
SOR
Statement of Rights. Replaces the Charter of Rights pre-November 2025.
SPR
Support Plan Review
STRC
Short-Term Restorative Care Note: The Support at Home program replaces the Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) Programme. This happened on 1 November 2025 under the new Aged Care Act.
Support at Home program
The Support at Home program replaces the Home Care Packages Program (HCP) and the Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) Programme. This happened on 1 November 2025 under the new Aged Care Act.
TCP
Transition Care Program
TIS
Translating and Interpreting Service (national)
VRO
Violence Restraining Order
