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People who are financially disadvantaged
If you’re financially disadvantaged the Australian Government can help in many ways.
- Financial assistance
- Aged Care Assessment Teams (ACATs or ACAS in Victoria) (more information)
- Home and Community Care Program (HACC) (more information)
- Community Aged Care Package (CACP) (more information)
- Extended Aged Care at Home (EACH) (more information)
- Extended Aged Care at Home Dementia (EACH D) (more information)
- Aged care homes
- Veterans’ Home Care
- Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres (more information)
- Day Therapy Centres (more information)
- Transition Care Program (more information)
- Continence support
- Legal aid
Financial assistance
- The Disability Support Pension is available to people who are unable to work for a prolonged period of time because of a disability.
- The Mobility Allowance is paid to eligible disabled workers to meet the extra cost of travel.
- The Carer Payment provides an income support payment for your carer (similar to a pension) if their responsibilities prevent significant participation in the workforce.
- The Carer Allowance provides an income supplement for your carer if you have a disability or severe medical condition that requires daily care.
Aged Care Assessment Teams
Aged Care Assessment Teams/Services will help you access all the services you’re eligible for after they’ve met with you and discussed your needs.Read more: Being assessed
Home and Community Care Program (HACC)
If you need some basic help at home, the HACC Program can assist by supporting your independence at home and in the community. Special arrangements are possible if you can’t afford to pay.Read more: About the Home and Community Care Program
Community Aged Care Packages (CACP)
This program provides a tailored, planned and managed package of community care services, including help with housework, shopping and personal care. You may be asked to pay a fee if you’re able to contribute to the cost of your care, and you will not be denied a service that you need based on an inability to pay. (This fee cannot be more than 17.5% of the maximum basic rate of pension, excluding the GST compensation supplement).Read more: About Community Aged Care Packages
Extended Aged Care at Home (EACH)
These packages are individually planned and coordinated according to how complex your care needs are. You may be asked to pay a fee for an EACH package of care (GST free).However, as with the Community Aged Care Package Program, if you are on the basic pension, fees must not be more than 17.5% of the maximum basic rate of pension, and you will not be denied a service that you need based on an inability to pay.
Read more: About Extended Aged Care at Home
Extended Aged Care at Home Dementia (EACH D)
The amount charged forms part of an agreement between you and the service provider.and you will not be denied a service that you need based on an inability to pay.Read more: About Extended Aged Care at Home Dementia
Aged care homes
Frail older people who are financially or socially vulnerable are protected from disadvantage in using aged care services. There are hardship provisions for people receiving care in aged care homes. People in insecure housing arrangements can also receive support.Read more: Aged care homes and people who are financially disadvantaged
Veterans’ Home Care
Veterans and war widows or widowers are expected to pay a small co-payment for all services provided through Veterans’ Home Care, except for respite care. The Department of Veterans' Affairs also provides financial assistance for eligible veterans, war widows or widowers, and their dependents, including respite finance for their carers.Read more: Veteran’s Home Care
Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres
There is no charge for the assistance provided at the Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres. However, if you use a referred service, then individual service fees may apply.Read more: National Respite for Carers Program
Day Therapy Centres
There may be a fee for services provided by Day Therapy Centres. However, you will not be denied a service that you need based on an inability to pay.Read more: Day Therapy Centres
Transition Care Program
The Transition Care Program has been designed to help you improve your independence and confidence after a hospital stay. The program will provide low-intensity therapy and support as part of an ongoing but slower recovery process, giving you time to determine what level of care you will require in the future.Access to transition care is decided on a needs basis, not on your ability to pay fees. In determining your ability to pay fees, your transition care provider takes into account your other unavoidable expenses such as high pharmaceutical bills or fees that you still need to pay to your aged care home.
Read more: Transition Care Program
Continence support
The Continence Aids Assistance Scheme (CAAS) offers help if you have permanent incontinence due to a permanent disability. CAAS assists approved clients with a subsidy for continence aids and equipment up to the value of $470 each financial year. However, you have to be involved in at least eight hours of paid work a week and have income and asset levels that would qualify you for an income support benefit.Read more: Continence management
Legal aid
Legal aid provides a range of services for people who are unable to meet the costs of resolving a legal problem. These services may include advice, information, representation and negotiation.Common questions on this topic:
- Do we have to pay for services provided by the Home and Community Care (HACC) Program?
- I'm not sure that I will be able to afford any form of care to help me in my home. What can I do?
- What happens if I can't afford to pay my fees once I'm in an Aged Care home?
See more common questions on this topic | See all common questions