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Plain-English guide

How aged care works in Australia

Australia's aged care system was rebuilt on 1 November 2025. The new Aged Care Act 2024 and the Support at Home program replaced Home Care Packages. There's now a single assessment process and a Statement of Rights providers are legally required to respect.

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Eligibility

Who it's for

Aged care is for people aged 65 and over (50 and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; lower in cases of severe disability or hardship). It's a means-tested system — what you contribute depends on your income and assets.

The shape of the system

The three main types of support

Lower-intensity entry-level help. Cleaning, meals, transport, social support. Suits people with basic needs who can mostly manage at home.

The new program (from 1 November 2025) for people with moderate to complex needs at home. 8 classification levels, three service categories — Clinical Care, Independence (which includes personal care), and Everyday Living — and a care manager who coordinates everything. Replaced Home Care Packages.

Residential aged care

24-hour care in a registered facility. For people who can't safely stay at home even with community support.

First step

How to get started

Start at My Aged Care (myagedcare.gov.au or 1800 200 422). They'll register you and arrange an assessment under the

. The assessment is a conversation in your home about your health, what you can manage, what you'd like to keep doing, and what's getting harder.

Money

What it costs

Clinical services — nursing and allied health — are fully Government-funded. You pay nothing.

Personal care (help with bathing, dressing, mobility) becomes fully Government-funded from 1 Oct 2026. Until then, a small means-tested contribution applies for many people.

Independence services — transport, social support, allied health that isn't clinical — are means-tested. Pensioners pay less; self-funded retirees pay more.

Everyday living services — cleaning, gardening, meals — carry the highest contribution because the Government considers these your normal household costs.

Residential care additional costs

  • — $66.80/day (verified 2026-03), indexed each March and September.
  • if your income/assets are above the pension threshold.
  • Accommodation cost — paid as a
    (refundable lump sum),
    (daily payment), or combination.
Watch out

Three things to know

Apply early.

The aged care system is designed for orderly entry, not crises. The single biggest pitfall is waiting for a hospital discharge or a fall before starting. By then you're under time pressure and making expensive decisions in a hurry. An assessment doesn't commit you to anything and stays valid for about 12 months.

Most families miss the right to switch providers.

If you're unhappy, you can generally switch with 28 days' notice. The order is: raise it with the provider; then contact the
on 1800 951 822 (you can complain confidentially or anonymously); then ask My Aged Care about moving.
Keep reading

What we recommend you read next

Apply early — why

The single biggest thing to get right.

RAD vs DAP

The 28-day decision that costs families the most when they get it wrong.

What changed on 1 November 2025

The new Act, the Statement of Rights, and what it means for you.

If you're under 65 and aged care has been suggested

The NDIS pathway might be the right one.

Greenbees is an independent guide. We don't run aged care assessments or sell financial products. For decisions with money or rights on the line, call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or visit myagedcare.gov.au, and book a free Aged Care Specialist Officer appointment via Services Australia.

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