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Getting help with aged care
We know there are many things to consider when thinking about aged care.
The My Aged Care website can help you find out about the services and support that may be available to you.
Staff in all our service centres can help you with general information about My Aged Care services including:
- Support at Home
- after-hospital transition care
- respite care
- moving into an aged care home
An Aged Care Specialist Officer (ACSO) can help you in more detail with your aged care matters. You can book an appointment to meet with an ACSO in some of our service centres or using video chat. Learn more about My Aged Care face-to-face services.
Understanding aged care costs
If you’ve started your journey with My Aged Care, we can tell you how much you’ll contribute towards your aged care costs.
If you’re thinking about Support at Home or moving into an aged care home, we can help.
Read more about aged care calculation of your cost of care.
Aged Care reforms
The new Aged Care Act came into effect on 1 November 2025. It aims to protect the rights of older Australians who use aged care services, whether they need help at home or in a residential care facility.
This video explains the Aged Care reforms and what it means for customers.
If you’re entering permanent residential care, you’ll need a means assessment. This assessment will determine if you’re eligible for government support and how much you need to pay towards aged care fees and accommodation costs.
The types of fees you need to pay will depend on when you entered care and if either of the following apply to you:
- you were approved for or getting a Home Care Package on or before 12 September 2024
- you have chosen to opt-in to new fee arrangements.
If you enter permanent residential care from 1 November your provider may be required to deduct a percentage of your refundable accommodation deposit (RAD) or refundable accommodation contribution (RAC). Your aged care provider is responsible for managing this process.
From 1 November 2025, Support at Home replaced the Home Care Package and Short-Term Restorative Care programs.
The Support at Home program helps older Australians remain independent in their home and in their community for longer.
The amount you may be asked to contribute towards Support at Home services will be based on the type of service received. For example, clinical support services such as nursing and physiotherapy will be fully funded by government for all participants.
Independence services such as personal care, assistive technology and home modifications will require some contribution. Everyday living services such as domestic assistance and gardening will require a higher contribution. This is because we don’t fund these services for any individual at other stages of life.
We’ll determine how much you need to contribute towards your care using a means assessment based on a combination of income and assets and whether you were approved for a Home Care Package, on or before 12 September 2024.
Other payments and services
You may be eligible for a bereavement payment. This is a short-term income support payment for someone whose partner has recently died. It’s usually paid for up to 14 weeks.
You can access information, support and short-term counselling. If you’re going through a difficult time, find out more about our social work services.
If you have a lot of medical costs, you can claim your Medicare benefits without having to call or visit us. Find out about Medicare claiming.
Other government and community support services
There are a range of other organisations that provide support services and useful information. You can use our Service Finder to locate help in your local area.
You may be able to get more help and concessions when you reach Age Pension age. These include the Pensioner Concession Card and the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card. Read more about the loans and concession cards you can apply for through us and your state government.
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs provides some in-home and community support programs. They focus on assisting you to continue living independently by supporting your:
- health
- wellbeing
- community connection.
Read more about care at home and aged care services on the Department of Veterans’ Affairs website.