Aged care services in Australia
We fund aged care providers to deliver services, including:
- entry level support at home
- more complex support for older people who can live independently at home with help
- various care options and accommodation for older people who can no longer live at home.
As an aged care provider you must provide quality aged care services.
Residential aged care services
Residential aged care is delivered in aged care homes for older people who can no longer live at home.
Aged care homes provide:
- accommodation
- 24-hour personal care
- access to nursing and general health services.
They can also provide:
- respite care
- short-term planned care
- emergency residential aged care.
In-home care services
In-home care enable older people to keep living in their own home with some help.
Approved providers can deliver these services through the:
Flexible care services
Flexible care is for people who need support that’s not offered in residential and home care.
The types of flexible care vary depending on the person’s needs. They all help with day-to-day tasks, and to restore or maintain independence.
Providers can deliver flexible care through:
- the Transition Care Programme
- the Short-Term Restorative Care Programme
- the Multi-Purpose Services Program
- the Innovative Care Programme
- the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care Program
- residential respite care.
Services for older people with a disability
The Disability Support for Older Australians Program assists older people with a disability with support tailored to their needs. Including:
- assistance with self-care
- counselling
- hearing services
- exercise physiology.
Services for First Nations people
We fund various programs for First Nations people aged 50 years or over, so they can access quality and culturally appropriate aged care services.
Services for people with dementia
We fund various dementia initiatives and programs to support people living with dementia, their families and carers.
Services for diverse groups
Aged care services should:
- be accessible
- be culturally sensitive
- meet the individual needs of all older people, regardless of background and circumstances.
Read more about meeting the needs of diverse groups of older people.
Private care services
We do not subsidise private providers. People must pay the full cost of private services.