The NDIS and turning 65: your choices as you get older

The line between the NDIS and the aged care system is drawn at 65, and it causes a lot of worry for people who are on the NDIS and approaching that age, or who develop a disability later in life. The rules are actually clearer than the anxiety suggests, and the headline is reassuring: turning 65 does not force you off the NDIS. This guide explains the two situations that matter, and how the systems compare. For the scheme overall, see our guide to the NDIS.

The one rule to know: apply before 65

To access the NDIS for the first time, you must apply before you turn 65. This is a firm cut-off. If you acquire a disability at or after 65, you cannot join the NDIS; the aged care system is your pathway to support instead.

So if you have a disability and are approaching 65 and think you might be eligible, the single most important thing is to apply before your birthday. Once you have turned 65 the door to joining closes, and it does not reopen. Our guide to applying for the NDIS walks through how.

If you are already on the NDIS when you turn 65

This is where the worry is usually misplaced. If you are already an NDIS participant when you turn 65, you do not get pushed off the scheme. You get a choice:

• Stay on the NDIS. You can continue as a participant with your existing supports. For most people whose NDIS supports are working well, staying put is the straightforward option.
• Move to the aged care system. You can choose to leave the NDIS and receive support through aged care instead.

The important caution: this choice generally runs one way. If you choose to move from the NDIS into aged care, you usually cannot return to the NDIS afterwards. So it is a decision worth taking slowly and with advice, not something to do on a first suggestion. In practice, many long-term participants are better served by staying on the NDIS, because its supports are individualised around disability rather than age.

How the two systems differ

The NDIS and aged care can fund similar-looking things (support workers, equipment, help at home), but they are built differently, which is why the choice matters.

• The NDIS is designed around disability. Funding is individualised to a person's assessed needs and goals, and the range of supports can be broad. See our guide to NDIS budget categories.
• The aged care system is designed around age-related need. In-home support comes through Support at Home (which replaced home care packages) and the entry-level Commonwealth Home Support Programme, with residential aged care for those who need it. See our guide to home support.

The fee and contribution arrangements also differ between the two systems, which is part of what makes the choice at 65 worth thinking through carefully. Our guide to aged care fees covers the aged care side.

Getting help to decide

Because the move from the NDIS to aged care is generally not reversible, it is worth getting advice specific to your situation before choosing. You can talk to the NDIS on 1800 800 110 about staying on the scheme, and My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 about what aged care would provide. A support coordinator, if you have one, can also help you weigh it up; see our guide to support coordinators.

Browse verified disability, NDIS and aged care providers on Our Mate to see what is available near you under either system. Because the rules on eligibility and transitions are set nationally and can change, confirm the current position with the NDIS or My Aged Care before making a decision.

Frequently asked questions

Do you get kicked off the NDIS at 65?

No. If you are already an NDIS participant when you turn 65, you are not forced off. You can choose to stay on the NDIS with your existing supports, or move to the aged care system. Turning 65 is only a barrier to joining the NDIS for the first time, not to staying on it.

Can I join the NDIS after 65?

No. You must apply before you turn 65. If you acquire a disability at or after 65, the aged care system is your pathway to support rather than the NDIS. If you are close to 65 and think you may be eligible, it is important to apply before your birthday.

Should I stay on the NDIS or move to aged care at 65?

It depends on your circumstances, but the key thing to know is that the move from the NDIS to aged care is generally one-way: you usually cannot return to the NDIS afterwards. Many long-term participants are better off staying on the NDIS because its supports are individualised around disability. Get advice specific to your situation before choosing, because it is not easily reversed.

What is the difference between the NDIS and aged care?

The NDIS is built around disability, with individualised funding tied to a person's assessed needs and goals. The aged care system is built around age-related need, delivered through Support at Home, the Commonwealth Home Support Programme, and residential aged care. They can fund similar supports but have different rules, contributions, and design.

I developed a disability after 65. What support can I get?

You would be supported through the aged care system rather than the NDIS, since you cannot join the NDIS at or after 65. Contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 to arrange an assessment for in-home support or residential care. State and territory services and community programs may also help. See our guide to home support for how the aged care pathway works.