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How to get started
Are you finding it hard to manage at home? It might be because you have been ill, have developed a disability, or have recently lost someone close to you. Perhaps you are simply having trouble doing everyday things that used to seem fairly easy.
Aged care homes are available across Australia for older people who can no longer live at home and need to plan for long-term accommodation and care. This is known as ‘residential aged care’.
Aged care homes also cater for those who need short periods of care away from their home. This is known as respite care (more information). Or you might be in hospital after an accident or illness, and you and your family feel you will not be able to manage on your own if you return home. This is known as transition care (more information).
Do I need an aged care home?
There are two main types of residential aged care in Australia, high-level care (more information)(or ‘nursing home’) and low-level care (more information) (or ‘hostel’).
Read more: About whether you need an aged care home
Who provides care and services?
Aged care homes receive funding from the Australian Government. Aged care services in Australia are operated by religious, charitable and community organisations, private businesses and state/territory and local governments.
Read more: About who provides care & services
Your options
Sometimes people have little or no time to plan, and need to move into an aged care home urgently. This can be very stressful, so it helps to know what you can and can’t expect.
Read more: About your options
Aged Care Home Finder
Once the level of care you need is assessed and approved by your local Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT or ACAS in Victoria) (more information), you have the right to apply to aged care homes of your choice that meet your needs and preferences.
Next step: Aged Care Home Finder
Common questions on this topic:
- Do you pay fees before you move into an aged care home?
- Once I go into an aged care home, do I have to stay there?
- Can I have my own doctor?
See all common questions