Respite Care in Australia

Government-subsidised aged care is accessed through My Aged Care. The process starts with registration and an assessment, which determines eligibility and the level of support a person can receive. You can then choose a provider that offers the assessed services. Private arrangements outside the subsidised system are also possible.

Home care delivers support in a person's own home, such as help with cleaning, personal care, meals, or nursing, so they can stay living independently. Residential aged care means moving into an aged care home where accommodation, meals, personal care, and clinical care are provided on site. Many people use home care first and move to residential care only when their needs increase.

Residential aged care homes that receive government subsidies are given a star rating by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission. It combines compliance, staffing levels, residents' experience, and quality measures into an overall rating out of five. It is an objective regulatory measure published by the government, not a customer review average.

Costs depend on the type of care and a person's financial situation. Subsidised care can involve a basic daily fee, a means-tested care fee, and, for residential care, an accommodation payment that may be a lump sum, a daily payment, or a combination. Providers must give you the fees in writing. Our Mate is a directory and does not provide financial advice; confirm figures with the provider and seek licensed advice before acting.

Aged care listings are drawn from the Australian Government's Aged Care Service List before any provider claims them, and each listing names that source. Residential homes also show their star ratings from the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, with the ratings period, so you can see how current they are.