Residential aged care and the NDIS

Exceptional circumstances 

Australia’s aged care system is not designed to support younger people. If you are aged under 65 years, you should only live in residential aged care in exceptional circumstances, such as if you:

• are an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person aged 50 years or over
• are aged 50 to 64 years and are homeless or at risk of homelessness
• have no other accommodation and support options to meet your care needs.

You must explore age-appropriate accommodation and supports first to be eligible for residential aged care.

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) supports people under 65 years with a disability to live in the community or other suitable settings.

Applying for access to the NDIS

To be eligible for the NDIS, you must:

• be an Australian resident (or equivalent)
• be aged under 65 years
• have a disability that is permanent and affects daily life activities. 

To start the process, you can either: 

• use the Am I eligible checklist 
• request access to the NDIS.

You, your nominee, family member or carer can help progress your NDIS application by providing:

• evidence of your disability
• copies of key documents such as:
  • accommodation agreement
  • residential care agreement
  • letters on aged care fees from Services Australia
• statement from the aged care home detailing your means-tested care fee and accommodation payments (if available).

You can also get help to test your eligibility for the NDIS through the Ability First Australia (AFA) Younger People in Residential Aged Care (YPIRAC) System Coordinator Program.

If you are eligible

If you are eligible for the NDIS, the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) will set up a planning meeting with a NDIS planner. 

In this meeting, you can discuss your accommodation and support goals, and explore suitable accommodation options.

If you want to stay in your current aged care home, you will continue to:

• receive care and services through the aged care provider
• pay existing aged care fees and payments.

The NDIS will determine what supports it funds, and will include these in your NDIS plan. 

The NDIS guidelines for younger people in residential aged care explains how decisions are made.

If you are not eligible

If you are not eligible for the NDIS and want to move out of an aged care home, the AFA YPIRAC System Coordinator Program can help you to:

• navigate the disability, housing, health and aged care systems
• find alternative accommodation and support services that best meets your needs
• move from your aged care home if you want.

You can contact Ability First Australia to find out:

• how to receive support
• where AFA YPIRAC System Coordinators are operating in your area.

Residential aged care fees and payments

If you live in an aged care home, you may need to contribute to:

• accommodation costs
• living expenses
• care services not NDIS-funded.

Find out more about the residential aged care fees and payments.

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