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Help staying at home

Financial and legal help overview

Often people receiving care will be concerned about their finances, so it helps to know where you or your carer can obtain information about these issues.

Costs for different types of care

Costs for community care services will vary, according to the kind of help and the number of hours you require.

Read more: About costs for different types of care

Government help

If you are eligible, financial assistance for you and/or your carer may be available in many forms, including the Disability Support Pension, the Mobility Allowance, the Carer Payment and the Carer Allowance.

Read more: About Government help

Rights and responsibilities

Community care service providers must comply with their obligations under laws such as the Aged Care Act 1997 (more information).

Read more: About rights and responsibilities

Legal issues

Solicitors, state or territory guardianship authorities, public advocate(s) and/or public trustee offices may provide information about legal matters such as power of attorney or guardianship.

Read more: About legal issues

Complaints or queries

If you have any concerns about the care being provided, it’s often best to raise your concerns, in the first instance, with your service provider. However, if you’re unable to resolve the issue or prefer not to complain directly to your service provider, the Aged Care Complaints Investigation Scheme (more information) is a free service that seeks to resolve your complaints about your health, safety and/or welfare – and it’s available to your relatives, guardians or representatives as well.

Also, each state and territory has a free Aged Care Advocacy Service (more information). An advocate may help you understand the information you’re given and speak to your service provider on your behalf.

Read more: About how to make a complaint
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Aged Care Information Line
1800 500 853
Centrelink
132 717

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This page was last updated on: 24 September 2007