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Discover the types of care available

Ageing in Australia comes with more individual choice and control than ever before but it's hard to know what different supports are available and what the right type of support is for your needs and circumstances.

There are a number of aged care options, from support at home and short term care, such as respite, to independent living options or moving into an aged care home.

You can access supports through different initiatives and programs provided by a range of groups and organisations, such as aged care providers, local councils and community groups.

With all this choice, navigating what is best for you can be a challenge. In this section we explain the different types of care to help you get started.

Help at home

Explaining the options to help you live safely at home

Mature aged daughter with her arm around her elderly mother, both looking into the camera smiling (Source: Shutterstock)

Help at home explained

Australians are living longer than ever before and most people want to stay in their own home and continue to be part of their community as they age. But living independently can become harder as you get older and most older people will need some sort of assistance with daily living at some stage.

Older woman receives help at home from a carer

When should I consider help at home?

Many older people brush aside home care assistance until a crisis hits, and they’re left with no other choice, often leaving the family to make arrangements in an emergency.

Getting the best out of your home care package

Home Care Packages

A Home Care Package can offer a variety of supports at home to assist you to live as independently as possible. From July 1, 2025, the Support at Home program will replace the Home Care Packages program.

Older woman enjoying her independence at home with her dog

Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP)

If you want to stay in your own home, but need some help with daily tasks, or require entry level care, the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) may be able to help.

Older woman accepting tea from a carer at her home.

Why choose private home care?

Rather than a Government funded home care service, you may decide to go with a private home care provider.

Short term care

Short term supports to help you (re)gain independence

Older woman with therapist doing weighted exercise lifting arms in front of her body while holding dumbells (Source: Shutterstock)

The benefits of short term care

There are a few different options available if you only need support for a short period of time. These include supports to help restore your independence, for example after an illness or injury, or to give you or your carer a short break.

An older person receiving help from a carer at home

Regaining your independence at home

If you have been hospitalised because of a health scare, like a fall or illness, you are likely wanting to get back to the comfort of your own home and continue life as normal.

Older woman receiving assistance at home

How short term restorative care can get you back on track

If you recently had a fall or are recovering from an illness, you may be feeling a bit fragile and weak. Being in that position of frailty can make you feel vulnerable and worried about managing your day-to-day tasks around your home.

Woman relaxing during her respite

Benefits of short term respite care

Respite care is an important service that provides carers with a break from their duties while being reassured that their older loved one is receiving quality aged care services.

Older woman with her respite carer

Differences between respite at home and nursing home respite

At some point you may need to access respite, it may be because your carer needs a break, to relieve stress; to have more time to themselves, or your carer is unable to provide care during a specific period of time.

Aged care homes

Accommodation and care in a home-like environment

Group of aged care residents sitting together smiling and talking (Source: Shutterstock)

Understanding aged care homes

If you need ongoing help with day-to-day tasks, an aged care home can provide you with the support you need to live safely and well. A nursing home is a home-like environment where you will have your own space and are looked after by professional care staff. You’ll be part of a community with other residents and have access to a wide range of services and lifestyle options.

Life in a residential aged care facility.

Residential aged care

Residential aged care facilities provide accommodation, as well as specific care and services to residents who need help with every day living.

Older man receiving help from his carer

Choosing between home care or aged care

At some point, you and your family will need to discuss what is the best option for your ongoing care.

Two older people enjoying themselves with a carer

What are your non-Government funded aged care alternatives?

There are a lot of options for Government funded aged care services that can suit all needs, but it does require you to meet certain criteria to be able to access these services.

An older man sits in an aged care home, looking out of the window.

Urgent admission into aged care

Ideally, you want to spend time preparing yourself or a loved one for a potential move into aged care. However, what happens if you don’t have a plan in place and then there is an emergency and you can no longer stay at home by yourself?

Retirement villages

Communities for retirees with an active lifestyle

Retirees making the most of their retirement

An introduction to retirement villages

Retirement is a new stage of life, and some even say ‘life begins at retirement’. You may be looking forward to putting your feet up or pottering around the garden, or want to fill your time with volunteering or social group activities.

Older couple outside their retirement village

Finding the right retirement village for you

You want your retirement to be long, happy and stress free, and where you live plays a major role in this.

Group of retirees playing cards

Why you should consider a retirement village

Most homes in Australia are not very senior-friendly and can become more difficult to live in overtime. They may be too big to maintain after the kids moved out or have stairs that can become too hard to go up and down as you age.

Older couple outside their retirement home

Should I rent or own a place in a retirement village?

In Australia, there are both ownership and rental opportunities to choose from when deciding on the best retirement living option for you.

Couple relaxing in their retirement village pool

Busting common myths about retirement villages

The joys of living in a retirement village is becoming more well-known among older Australians, as they decide to take the plunge and experience a fun, new lifestyle in a retirement village.

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