Eligibility for aged care in Australia depends on whether you are accessing government-subsidised services or arranging private in-home care. For government funding, specific criteria apply. For private care, anyone can arrange support at any time.
Government-funded aged care: who qualifies?
To access government-subsidised in-home aged care in Australia, you must meet all of the following:
- Age: 65 years or older. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, the threshold is 50 years or older.
- Residency: an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
- Living situation: living at home (not in a residential aged care facility).
- Care need: assessed as needing support to continue living independently at home.
The "care need" criterion is determined through an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) assessment, which involves a home visit from a health professional who evaluates what support the person needs and at what level.
What if someone is under 65?
People under 65 with a disability, chronic illness, or significant care needs may be eligible for support through the NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) rather than the aged care system. The NDIS and aged care are separate systems with different eligibility pathways.
People between 50 and 65 with significant care needs who do not qualify for NDIS may be able to access the Commonwealth Home Support Programme on a case-by-case basis.
The ACAT assessment: what to expect
The Aged Care Assessment Team assessment is a home visit -- usually conducted by a nurse, social worker, or allied health professional -- that looks at:
- Physical health and any medical conditions
- Memory and cognitive function
- Daily living tasks the person can and cannot manage independently
- The level of informal support already in place (family, friends)
- The person's own goals and preferences for how they want to live
The assessment determines whether the person qualifies for the Commonwealth Home Support Programme, a Home Care Package (and at which level), or residential aged care.
Private in-home care: no eligibility required
Private in-home care through a platform like Nest and Nurture Society has no eligibility criteria. There is no age requirement, no assessment, no residency check. Any family can book a qualified carer for any reason -- whether to supplement existing care, fill a gap while waiting for a government package, or simply because they prefer to arrange care privately.
Does assessment affect private care options?
No. A My Aged Care assessment does not limit or affect your ability to use private in-home care. The two systems operate independently.
Arrange care without an assessment
Private in-home care through Nest and Nurture Society is available to any family, with no waiting period.
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