Australia – Elderly Care

How are elderly people regarded and treated in Australia?

Australian society broadly holds older people in high regard and widely accepts that the state bears significant responsibility for their welfare in later life. Family involvement in caring arrangements is common and appreciated, but it is not presumed to be either the primary or the only form of support available — a contrast with traditions in parts of East Asia or Southern Europe where familial obligation tends to dominate. Australia has instead constructed one of the Asia-Pacific region’s most thorough publicly regulated aged care frameworks.

Philosophically, the Australian approach has more in common with the publicly funded models of Scandinavia or the Netherlands — which treat support in old age as a social entitlement — than with more market-driven systems. The Aged Care Act 2024 crystallises this outlook by enshrining the rights of older people at the heart of the system, framing the ageing experience as one of dignity and personal autonomy rather than a burden to be administered.

By 2035, approximately 1.4 million people are projected to be receiving services through the Support at Home programme, which is specifically designed to help older Australians continue living in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. This emphasis on ageing-in-place reflects a deeply held social preference for preserving independence and meaningful choice among older people.

As of June 2024, around 190,000 people were living permanently in residential aged care, a figure driven substantially by a 24% rise in the Australian population aged 65 and over between 2017 and 2024. This demographic shift has elevated aged care to one of the country’s most consequential policy and economic challenges.

What state or publicly funded elderly care is available in Australia?

The federal government takes primary responsibility for Australia’s publicly funded aged care system, administered through the Department of Health and Aged Care. The breadth of coverage — encompassing both in-home assistance and full residential care — makes it one of the most wide-ranging publicly supported systems in the Asia-Pacific.

On 1 November 2025, the Support at Home programme came into effect, replacing the previous Home Care Packages Programme and coinciding with the commencement of the new Aged Care Act. Support at Home funds a diverse array of services delivered within a person’s own home, including assistance that promotes independence — such as adapting the home environment, help with dressing, and medication management — as well as support with everyday tasks like gardening, grocery shopping, and household cleaning.

The government also provides direct subsidies to approved residential care facilities, ensuring that eligible older people can access full-time care when they need it. These payments are made to registered providers on behalf of each individual resident, rather than being paid to residents themselves.

Entry into the government-funded system requires a formal needs assessment. Eligibility is based on a combination of age, personal circumstances, and identified needs. Once an application is submitted, the relevant assessment organisation will contact the applicant within two to six weeks, verify their needs, and — where eligibility is confirmed — arrange an in-person visit to complete the assessment.

The standard qualifying age is 65 or older, or 50 and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, who face age-related health challenges at statistically earlier ages. Following the needs assessment, Services Australia conducts a means assessment to establish the individual’s financial contribution. Because eligibility rules and means-test thresholds are updated periodically, it is always advisable to consult the My Aged Care website for the most current information.

The Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) receives Australian Government funding to deliver free, independent advocacy support to older people and their families in every state and territory, offering confidential and impartial guidance to anyone navigating the government-funded aged care system.

What residential, care home, and nursing home options exist in Australia?

Australia’s aged care system encompasses a broad spectrum of service types designed to match the changing needs of older people, from arrangements that support continued independent living at home through to around-the-clock residential care. This continuum means there is generally an appropriate option at each stage of a person’s care journey.

The principal types of residential aged care available in Australia include:

• Retirement villages and independent living units: Designed for older people who remain largely self-sufficient but who wish to live within a community setting with access to some shared services. These are predominantly privately operated and fall outside the government aged care funding framework.
• Assisted living and supported accommodation: Facilities that combine personal care support with independent living arrangements, typically suited to people with mild to moderate care requirements.
• Residential aged care homes (nursing homes): Full-time residential care for older people who can no longer be supported adequately at home. Residential respite care is also available, giving carers or older people a temporary break from their usual arrangements.
• Memory care (dementia-specific) units: Specialist, secured sections within residential facilities that provide structured and safe care environments for people living with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.

Providers range from large national operators such as Bupa Aged Care, Opal HealthCare, and Regis Health to smaller not-for-profit organisations including Catholic Healthcare, BlueCare, and community-focused providers such as Australian Multicultural Community Services, which specifically serves culturally and linguistically diverse older populations.

Government-funded residential aged care is delivered exclusively through providers registered with the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC), and all residential homes must also hold ACQSC approval. Registered providers are required to comply with all obligations under the Aged Care Act 2024, including adherence to the Aged Care Quality Standards.

From 1 November 2025, all government-funded aged care in Australia is required to meet the new, strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards introduced under the Aged Care Act 2024. Seven Quality Standards now apply, covering individual rights, organisational governance, care and services, the physical environment, clinical care, food and nutrition, and the residential community.

The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission serves as the national regulatory body for aged care. Its remit includes ensuring providers satisfy quality and safety requirements, overseeing the management of complaints and serious incidents, and monitoring ongoing compliance. Inspection outcomes and provider details are publicly searchable through the ACQSC website.

How much does elderly care cost in Australia?

Costs within Australia’s aged care system are regulated and structured, yet vary considerably depending on personal financial circumstances, the chosen provider, and the level of care required. Services Australia conducts a means assessment to establish each person’s contribution. All figures below reflect 2025 settings; always obtain a current fee schedule directly from providers and consult the My Aged Care costs page for the latest figures.

Residential aged care (nursing homes)

The basic daily fee is fixed at 85% of the single basic Age Pension rate. At AUD $65.55 per day in 2025, this translates to roughly AUD $23,926 annually. This charge applies universally to all new residential aged care entrants and is not subject to means testing.

Beyond the basic daily fee, residents entering under the November 2025 fee arrangements may also be required to pay:

• A hotelling contribution towards daily living amenities such as meals, laundry, and cleaning services.
• A non-clinical care contribution (NCCC) to help fund personal care such as bathing, mobility support, and participation in lifestyle activities.
• Accommodation costs, agreed in writing with the provider prior to entry. Residents not eligible for government assistance pay the room price negotiated with the facility. Those who qualify as low-means residents have some or all of their accommodation costs covered by the government.

Under the fee arrangements that commenced on 1 November 2025, all clinical care costs in aged care homes are fully government-funded. This represents a substantial departure from previous arrangements and means that nursing and medical care within a registered facility are now entirely covered by the government for newly admitted residents.

Accommodation costs may be paid as a lump-sum Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD) — returned in full upon departure, minus any agreed deductions — or as a Daily Accommodation Payment (DAP), which functions similarly to a rental charge. As an example, a room priced at AUD $400,000 would generate a daily payment calculated at 7.61% of $400,000, or approximately AUD $83.40 per day as of 2025.

Home care (Support at Home)

Support at Home does not involve a basic daily fee. Instead, participants contribute a proportion of the cost of each service they use, with the rate varying by service category and individual income and assets. Clinical supports — such as nursing and physiotherapy — attract no personal contribution and are fully government-funded. Participants pay a moderate share for independence services such as personal care and transport, and contribute most for everyday living services including domestic assistance and garden maintenance.

If meeting care costs presents a genuine financial hardship, individuals may apply for hardship assistance. Where eligibility is established, the Australian Government will cover some or all of those costs. Use the government’s online fee estimator at My Aged Care and request current schedules directly from providers for the most accurate picture of likely costs.

Can expats access elderly care in Australia, and are there any restrictions?

Eligibility for government-funded aged care in Australia is tied to residency status rather than nationality. To qualify, a person must be an Australian citizen, a permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen. In certain circumstances, younger individuals with serious disabilities, chronic illness, or severe medical conditions may also be considered under specific provisions.

Those holding temporary visas do not qualify for government-subsidised aged care. However, private residential care facilities may accept self-funding individuals regardless of their visa category. This means expats on long-stay visitor, retirement, or other temporary visas would generally need to arrange and fully fund their own private care.

For those seeking government assistance such as the Age Pension — which in turn influences means-tested aged care contributions — further residency duration requirements apply. Qualification for the Age Pension generally requires at least ten years of Australian residency in total, with at least five of those years being continuous. Exceptions exist for people covered by a Social Security Agreement; Australia has such bilateral arrangements with the United Kingdom, Ireland, and a number of European nations, which may allow relevant periods of residence or contributions in those countries to count towards Australian eligibility.

If a person returns to Australia after living abroad, there is no waiting period before they can claim the Age Pension, provided all other qualification criteria are satisfied. Expats planning their retirement in Australia should verify current conditions directly with Services Australia, as eligibility rules and international agreements are subject to change.

What private elderly care and international options are available in Australia?

Alongside the government-subsidised system, Australia supports a substantial private aged care market. Major operators — including Bupa Aged Care, Regis Health, and Opal HealthCare — run both fully private facilities and privately funded rooms within government-subsidised settings. Private accommodation options often provide enhanced amenities, single-occupancy rooms, and premium lifestyle services such as specialised dining menus, pay television, or custom furnishings.

Aged care homes frequently make available additional services — from hairdressing and entertainment subscriptions to bespoke fittings and tailored menus. Residents who choose these extras pay separately negotiated fees, which receive no government subsidy.

A growing network of culturally and linguistically specific providers has emerged to serve Australia’s diverse older population. These include Hellenic Community Aged Care (catering to Greek-speaking communities in Western Australia), Australian Multicultural Community Services (supporting a wide range of cultural backgrounds across Victoria), and faith-affiliated organisations such as Catholic Healthcare and Jewish Care. Many of these providers offer services in community languages and adapt food, cultural practices, and social programming to suit particular backgrounds — a factor that can be critically important for older people from non-English-speaking communities.

Retirement villages represent another expanding sector, primarily serving independent or semi-independent residents. These developments operate under separate legislation from the aged care system and differ considerably in their structure, pricing, and on-site care capacity. Some are large resort-style communities offering extensive facilities and amenities.

In terms of regulatory oversight, both private and government-funded facilities that receive any public subsidy must be registered with and subject to inspection by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission. Fully private facilities accepting no government funding operate outside this regulatory framework, though they remain subject to general consumer protection legislation. When assessing any facility, it is always worthwhile requesting the most recent ACQSC audit outcomes directly from the provider.

What role does health insurance play in covering elderly care in Australia?

Australia’s universal public health scheme, Medicare, covers an extensive range of medical services for eligible residents but does not extend to residential aged care fees or personal care costs. Medicare is fundamentally a healthcare programme rather than a long-term care programme — a distinction that can catch people off guard, particularly those from countries where public health coverage encompasses residential care more comprehensively.

Under the fee structure that took effect on 1 November 2025, the government now fully funds all clinical care provided within registered aged care homes — meaning that nursing and medical services inside those facilities are covered for eligible residents. Nonetheless, accommodation costs, personal care contributions, and daily living fees remain the resident’s responsibility, subject to the means assessment process.

Private health insurance in Australia can assist with certain hospital and medical expenses but does not generally cover residential aged care fees or home care contributions. Unlike countries such as Germany or Japan — where mandatory social insurance schemes specifically fund long-term care — Australia has no equivalent dedicated insurance product. The system instead relies on individually means-tested contributions, government subsidies, and in some cases the drawdown of personal assets, including property.

Retirees who are ineligible for Medicare — for example, those on certain temporary visa categories — should secure comprehensive private health insurance before arriving in Australia. An appropriate policy should cover:

• In-hospital care and specialist consultations
• Allied health services (physiotherapy, occupational therapy, podiatry)
• Emergency transport and evacuation where relevant
• Clear terms regarding what occurs if long-term residential care becomes necessary

Seeking guidance from an independent financial adviser who specialises in aged care planning is strongly advisable. A qualified accredited adviser can walk you through the financial decisions involved in aged care and help you structure your affairs to minimise unnecessary costs.

What should expats consider when planning for elderly care in Australia?

Forward planning is by far the most valuable step any expat can take when it comes to aged care in Australia. The system is well-structured, but eligibility conditions, means-test thresholds, and fee arrangements evolve regularly, and understanding where your personal situation fits within that framework takes time and informed advice.

1. Confirm your residency eligibility early. Government-funded aged care is accessible only to Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens. If you are currently on a temporary visa, consult a registered immigration lawyer about your long-term pathway before care needs arise.
2. Understand the means assessment process. Services Australia evaluates your income and assets to determine your contribution rates. The equity in your home, your savings, and other financial holdings all factor into this calculation. Engaging an accredited aged care financial adviser well before care becomes urgent — rather than in a moment of crisis — gives you time to manage your assets thoughtfully.
3. Register with My Aged Care in advance. My Aged Care is the central government gateway to aged care assessments and provider information. Applications for assessment can be submitted online, and the website includes a provider search tool to help you identify services in your area. Given that assessment waiting times can vary, registering ahead of anticipated need is wise.
4. Establish legal documents: enduring power of attorney and advance care directives. Each Australian state and territory maintains its own legislation governing powers of attorney and advance care planning. An enduring power of attorney authorises a trusted individual to manage financial and personal decisions on your behalf should you lose decision-making capacity. An advance care directive sets out your preferences regarding medical treatment. Both instruments should be established before they are needed, and foreign nationals should confirm that their documents carry legal force under Australian law.
5. Check next-of-kin rights for overseas family members. The new Aged Care Act allows older people to formally nominate and register a ‘Supporter’ — someone authorised to help them understand, make, and communicate decisions about their care. This mechanism is particularly important where family members reside overseas; registering them as a Supporter or formalising a power of attorney ensures they can act on your behalf effectively.
6. Consider cultural and language needs. If English is not your primary language, actively seek out providers with multilingual staff or cultural expertise relevant to your background. The strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards explicitly require that care be personalised to reflect each individual’s background, preferences, culture, and needs — not delivered as a generic, one-size-fits-all service.
7. Consult a local legal and financial adviser. Aged care funding, superannuation, property ownership, and estate planning intersect in complex ways. An adviser experienced in working with expats — particularly around offshore assets and entitlements from foreign pension schemes — can help you navigate these interactions and avoid costly missteps.

What are the best official sources of information on elderly care in Australia?

A number of authoritative official bodies support Australia’s aged care landscape with reliable, up-to-date information. Because fees, eligibility thresholds, and provider details change on a regular basis, it is essential to verify everything directly through these sources rather than depending on secondary summaries.

To lodge a complaint about a specific provider, contact the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission directly. All providers are required to maintain their own internal complaints management processes, and where those processes fail to resolve an issue promptly and fairly, older people and their supporters have an unconditional right to escalate the matter to the ACQSC without any risk of retaliation.

For financial advice tailored specifically to aged care, seek out advisers holding the Aged Care Specialist accreditation offered through the Financial Advice Association Australia (FAAA). For legal matters — including powers of attorney and advance care directives — engage a solicitor practising in your own state or territory, as the relevant legislation differs across Australian jurisdictions.

Frequently Asked Questions About Elderly Care in Australia

Can I access government-funded aged care in Australia if I hold permanent residency but not citizenship?

Yes. Australian citizens, permanent residents, and eligible New Zealand citizens are all entitled to access government-funded aged care services, provided they satisfy the relevant age and needs criteria and complete the required assessment process through My Aged Care. People holding temporary visas are generally excluded from subsidised care.

What happens if I need emergency residential aged care and haven’t had an assessment?

If your circumstances change suddenly and you require immediate assistance, support options exist even in the absence of a prior assessment. For urgent medical emergencies, dial 000. For emergency respite care, contact Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737. If ongoing care beyond a respite arrangement is needed, call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 to initiate an assessment as quickly as possible.

How long does it take to be assessed for aged care in Australia?

Once an application for assessment is submitted, the relevant assessment organisation will typically make contact within two to six weeks to confirm your needs and, where eligibility is established, arrange an in-person visit at your home or current place of residence. Situations involving urgent need may qualify for expedited processing; contact My Aged Care directly if your circumstances require prompt attention.

Are there aged care facilities in Australia that provide services in languages other than English?

Yes. Australia’s multicultural population has supported the development of a wide range of community-based and specialist providers catering to particular language groups and cultural communities, including Greek, Italian, Chinese, Vietnamese, Indian, and many others. The strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards require that all care be individualised to reflect each person’s background, preferences, and cultural identity rather than delivered in a uniform way. Use the provider finder on My Aged Care to search by language preference and cultural background to identify suitable services in your area.

Does Medicare cover aged care costs in Australia?

Medicare provides coverage for a broad range of medical and hospital services for eligible residents but does not extend to residential aged care fees or personal care costs. Under the fee arrangements that commenced on 1 November 2025, the government fully funds all clinical care delivered within aged care homes — including nursing services. However, accommodation costs, daily living charges, and personal care contributions remain separate obligations, each subject to the means assessment process.

Can I bring a parent or elderly relative to Australia to live and receive aged care?

Relocating an elderly parent to Australia is feasible but requires securing the appropriate visa — most commonly a Contributory Parent visa or standard Parent visa, both of which carry substantial costs and extended waiting periods. Once a parent has obtained permanent residency, they can in principle qualify for government-funded aged care, though they would first need to satisfy residency duration and assessment requirements. Given the complex interplay between immigration requirements and aged care eligibility, consulting a registered migration agent and an aged care financial adviser before proceeding is strongly recommended.

What is a Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD) and will I get it back?

A Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD) is a lump-sum payment made to cover accommodation costs in a residential aged care facility. The full amount is returned when you vacate the care home, minus any agreed deductions or retained amounts. Depending on the facility and its location, RADs can run to several hundred thousand Australian dollars, making it essential to review all terms of the accommodation agreement carefully before committing.

How is the quality of aged care in Australia monitored and enforced?

The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission acts as the national regulatory authority for aged care services, with responsibility for verifying that providers comply with quality and safety requirements, handling complaints and serious incident notifications, and tracking ongoing provider performance. The Aged Care Rules 2025 embed a reinforced Code of Conduct for aged care workers and providers, supported by a modernised compliance regime that grants the Commission enhanced enforcement powers. Inspection reports for individual providers are published and freely accessible on the ACQSC website.