Navigating Aged Care in Australia

What's Changed - Understanding The New Aged Care system

Australia's aged care system has undergone its biggest transformation in decades. In November 2025, the new Aged Care Act 2024 came into effect, bringing stronger protections for older Australians and a new way of delivering care at home.

If you've been researching aged care for a while, some of what you've read online may already be outdated. Here's what you need to know now.

The Support at Home Program (from 1 November 2025) Tailored at-home support to help individuals maintain independence.

Home Care Packages are replaced. New approvals from Nov 2025 enter Support at Home.

8 funding levels range from low to complex care needs.
CHSP remains for entry-level support, transitioning to Support at Home by July 2027.

Note: The Department of Health website (health.gov.au) and My Aged Care (myagedcare.gov.au) are the authoritative sources for current program details. We recommend using both alongside this guide.

The Three Main Types Of Aged Care

In-Home Care (Support at Home)

Government-funded support that helps your loved one stay in their own home. Services can include personal care, nursing, domestic help, meal preparation, transport, and allied health support. Your loved one chooses their provider and has a say in how their funding is used.

Best for: Older people who want to remain at home and need coordinated support across multiple areas.

Residential Aged Care

Full-time care in a dedicated facility, where accommodation, meals, and 24-hour care are provided. Facilities are regulated by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission and receive Star Ratings you can use to compare quality.

Best for: People who need round-the-clock care or whose needs can no longer be safely met at home.

Respite Care

Short-term car- either in the home or in a facility - that gives primary carers a break. Respite can be planned in advance or accessed in an emergency.

Best for: Families and carers who need temporary relief, or to trial residential care before committing.

Step-By-Step

How To Access Aged Care In Australia

The starting point is always My Aged Care - the Australian Government's aged care gateway. You can register your loved one online at myagedcare.gov.au or by calling 1800 200 422.

During registration, a My Aged Care staff member will ask questions about your loved one's situation and help determine what type of assessment they need.

Get An Assessment

Australia's new Single Assessment System covers all aged care types: home support, home care, and residential care. A trained assessor visits your loved one's home to evaluate health, wellbeing, and daily needs, determining their eligible services and funding. Tip: Attend the assessment with them for better support.

Receive Your Approval

After the assessment, you'll receive an approval letter explaining which services your loved one is eligible for. For Support at Home, this includes their funding classification (one of eight levels).

There may be a wait between approval and funding becoming available, depending on priority category and service availability.

Choose A Provider

Once approved, your loved one can choose from any registered aged care provider in their area. This is one of the most important decisions you'll make - and it's worth taking the time to get it right. (See our provider checklist below.)

Review & Reassess

Needs change. If your loved one's condition deteriorates or their circumstances change, you can request a reassessment at any time.

Not all providers are equal

What To Look For In An Aged Care Provider

For residential aged care:

What is the facility's Star Rating on My Aged Care?
What is the staff-to-resident ratio, and how consistent is the team?
How is continuity of care managed — will your loved one see familiar faces?
What qualifications do nursing and care staff hold?
How are medical needs handled, and is there 24/7 RN access?
What is the approach to dementia care if relevant?
What are the costs, and what is included vs. additional?

For in-home care (Support at Home):

How are carers selected and matched to clients?
What happens if a regular carer is unavailable?
How does the provider communicate with families?
What is their process for reviewing the care plan as needs change?
Are services delivered by employed staff or contractors?

Aged care isn't free, but the government subsidises a significant portion. What your loved one pays depends on their income, assets, and the type of care they receive.

> For support at home: You pay a contribution based on what services you receive. Clinical support (nursing, allied health) has no co-contribution. Non-clinical services (domestic help, personal care) are means-tested.

> For residential aged care: Costs typically include a basic daily fee, a means-tested care fee, and potentially an accommodation payment (either a lump sum refundable deposit or a daily payment, or a combination).

Useful tools:

My Aged Care fee estimator: myagedcare.gov.au
Services Australia Aged Care Specialist Officers can provide personalised financial advice - free of charge.

Tune in to our aged care podcast: Back In My Day

We understand that the aged care journey can be daunting, so we’ve created a platform to make this process easier – our podcast, Back In My Day.

This series captures insights from aged care experts, CEOs, staff, families, and residents, helping you make informed choices at every stage.

In the podcast, we discuss a variety of topics, including:

How to choose the right aged care service for your needs.
Stories from families and residents navigating aged care.
Expert opinions on the future of aged care in Australia.
Tips for communicating effectively with aged care providers.

Whether you’re just starting out on this journey or looking for specific advice, Back In My Day is designed to inform, empower, and guide you.

www.backinmyday.com.au

Streaming on:

Frequently Asked Questions

What replaced Home Care Packages in Australia?

Home Care Packages were replaced by the Support at Home program on 1 November 2025, as part of the new Aged Care Act 2024. If your loved one was already receiving a Home Care Package, they were automatically transitioned to an equivalent Support at Home funding classification.

How do I start the aged care process for a family member?

Start by registering with My Aged Care - either online at myagedcare.gov.au or by calling 1800 200 422. A staff member will guide you through the process and arrange an assessment if needed.

How long does an aged care assessment take?

The assessment itself usually takes 1–2 hours. After the assessment, approval can take a few weeks. Wait times for funded services then depend on your loved one's priority category - urgent needs are prioritised.

Can I choose the aged care provider for my loved one?

Yes. Once approved, your loved one (or their family, with their consent) can choose any registered provider in their area. You are not assigned a provider - the choice is yours.

What is a Star Rating for aged care homes?

Star Ratings are published on My Aged Care and allow you to compare residential aged care homes on quality measures including compliance, staffing, residents' experience, and care quality. Ratings run from 1 to 5 stars.

What does E4 People do in aged care?

E4 People is a specialist healthcare staffing agency working with aged care providers across Australia. We place qualified aged care workers - from personal care assistants to registered nurses - into both permanent and flexible roles. We don't place individuals into care facilities, but we work directly with the providers who run them.

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