Australia’s aged care system is not designed to support younger people under the age of 65 years. Younger people should only access residential aged in exceptional circumstances.
Support from the National Disability Insurance Scheme
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) supports younger people to live in the community or other suitable settings.
To check eligibility, either:
The National Disability Insurance Agency can also help participants living in an aged care home who want to move. You can discuss your home and living goals with your NDIS planner or NDIS support coordinator.
Support for younger people not eligible for the NDIS
If you are not eligible for the NDIS, other support options are available.
The Ability First Australia (AFA) Younger People in Residential Aged Care (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 an aged care home if you want.
AFA YPIRAC System Coordinators can also help you to test your eligibility for the NDIS.
Contact Ability First Australia to find out:
- how to receive support
- where AFA YPIRAC System Coordinators are operating in your area.
My Aged Care pathway
You can use the Journey Map for younger people considering entry to residential aged care to understand the steps and your support options.
If you want to access Australian Government-funded aged care services, you must:
- work with a NDIS support coordinator, NDIS planner or AFA YPIRAC System Coordinator to explore suitable accommodation and support options
- contact My Aged Care to check if you are suitable for an aged care needs assessment
- meet requirements to become an aged care resident.
This includes testing and considering NDIS eligibility.
If you want to enter residential aged care, you will need to have documents showing:
- what NDIS or other support services you have considered
- why these supports were not appropriate for your needs.
Your NDIS support coordinator, NDIS planner or AFA YPIRAC System Coordinator will help you to gather these documents.
Review of existing support plan
You can get a support service reassessment if:
- you have had an aged care needs assessment
- you already receive government-funded aged care services
- your circumstances have changed.
Contact My Aged Care to be referred to an assessment organisation.
The assessment organisation will decide if a reassessment is needed. You will need evidence of:
- what NDIS or other support services you have considered
- why these supports were not appropriate for your needs.
Your NDIS support coordinator, NDIS planner or AFA YPIRAC System Coordinator will help you to explore these options.
Home Care Packages
Home Care Packages helps older people with complex care needs to live in their own homes.
If you are aged under 65 years, have a disability and receive a Home Care Package, you can check your eligibility for NDIS support and services with the Am I eligible checklist.
Residential aged care fees and payments
If you live in an aged care home, you may need to pay fees that are not NDIS-funded, including:
- contribution to accommodation costs
- living expenses
- care services.
Read about residential aged care fees and payments for providers and younger people.
Provider support
Residential aged care providers can support a younger person who wants to leave aged care, regardless of their NDIS status.
You can encourage the younger aged care resident to:
- use the Am I eligible checklist to see whether they are eligible for NDIS support and services
- contact the AFA YPIRAC System Coordinator in your area to
- get assistance with NDIS access
- explore suitable accommodation and support options
- encourage NDIS participants to talk to their NDIS support coordinator or NDIS planner about options.
Read more about delivering care to younger people in residential aged care settings.
For information and support for NDIS providers, including meeting requirements, visit the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.
Resources
Resources are available to help younger people, support networks, workers and providers to consider and access suitable accommodation and support.
Contacts
State and territory governments also have a responsibility to help younger people find alternative accommodation where they are:
- not eligible for the NDIS
- not eligible for NDIS-funded home and living supports.
For more information on what housing options may be available, please contact the relevant housing authority in your state or territory.
National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) contact
Ability First Australia
Disability Gateway
