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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:
- care in your home
- after-hospital care
- respite care
- moving into an aged care home
- short-term restorative care.
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. Read 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 pay towards your aged care costs.
If you’re thinking about a Home Care Package 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 begins 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 current and future customers.
We’re introducing some changes to means tested fees for residential aged care.
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 new rules don’t change the types of income and assets that are assessed. They don’t change the way your family home is treated.
If you enter residential care before 1 November 2025, or were approved for a Home Care Package on or before 12 September 2024, the changes don’t apply unless you choose to opt in to the new arrangements.
From 1 November 2025, the Home Care Packages and Short-Term Restorative Care program will be replaced by a new program called Support at Home.
The Support at Home program will help older Australians remain independent in their home and in their community for longer. If you already get a Home Care Package, you don’t need to do anything - you’ll automatically be moved to Support at Home on 1 November 2025.
Under Support at Home, you will only contribute towards the cost of services you receive and you will no longer pay a Basic Daily Fee.
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 will determine how much you need to contribute towards your care using a means assessment based on a combination of income and assets
The no worse off principle applies to anyone who was receiving a Home Care Package or approved for a package on or before 12 September 2024.
If you are covered by the no worse off principle your Support at Home contributions will be the same, or lower, than what they would have been under the Home Care Package Program.
Other payments and services
You may be eligible for a bereavement allowance. 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.