To be eligible for government-supported aged care you must be 65 or older (50 years or older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) or at least 50 years of age on a low income and homeless or at risk of becoming homeless (45 years or older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people).
Eligibility also depends on your income and assets as determined by the government, because the government expects you to pay for the cost of care and services if you can afford to. If you are eligible for government funding through the Support at Home program then the government will contribute to the cost of your care and services. Depending on your financial situation you may need to pay some of the costs as well, and what you pay also depends on the types of care and services you access.
The Support at Home program includes eight classification levels of funding for the same list of care and services, as well as three short term funding streams to help you pay for:
- Restorative care - for 12 weeks of intensive support to build strengths and abilities
- Assistive technology and home modifications that enable you to continue living safely at home
- End of life care - for up to 12 weeks of intensive care at home in the final weeks of life
You may be eligible to have a regular Support at Home budget as well as accessing the restorative care or assistive technology and home modifications funding.
As with all funding, you will need an assessment that determines you need these services. Our Home Care team can help you with this process. You may need to pay some of the costs as well, and what you pay also depends on the types of care and services you access.