An aged care home (also called residential aged care) is for older people who can no longer live independently at home and need ongoing help with everyday tasks or health care.
Leaving your own home and entering an aged care home isn’t an easy decision. But it doesn’t have to be a daunting experience. At an aged care home, you can get the care and services you need to maintain your quality of life.
The government funds a range of aged care homes across Australia to provide care and support services to those who need it. Each home is different, so it's important to choose the right one for you.
On this page
What can an aged care home provide?
Aged care homes can help you with everyday tasks, personal care, and nursing care. They provide:
Learn more about the services offered by aged care homes.
How does residential aged care work?
The Australian Government funds a range of aged care homes across Australia. This means affordable care and support services can be accessed by those who need it. The funding is paid directly to the aged care home.
The amount of funding that a home receives is based on:
- an assessment of your care needs by a residential aged care funding assessor
- how much you can afford to contribute in fees, contributions, and accommodation costs (using a means assessment).
Government-funded aged care homes have to meet Aged Care Quality Standards to ensure they provide quality care and services. They are regulated by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC).
There are also aged care homes that don’t receive funding from the government. They aren’t listed on this website, but you can read more about them on our non government-funded providers page.
What will it cost?
How much you pay depends on the place you choose, an assessment of your income and assets (means assessment), and any optional goods and services you select after you enter care.
It also depends on whether the ‘no worse off principle’ applies to you, and whether you’re on the 1 November 2025 or the 1 July 2014 fee arrangements.
Typically, the types of costs associated with all aged care homes are:
You can get an idea of what you may have to pay by using the aged care home fee estimator.
Read more about aged care home costs and fees.
Eligibility for entry to residential aged care
Eligibility is based on your care needs as determined through an assessment, but you must also be 65 years or over (or 50 and over for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people or people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless).
Your financial situation doesn’t affect your eligibility to live in a government-funded aged care home. It will impact the amount you may have to pay.
The amount of resident fees, contributions and accommodation costs a non-Australian resident can be asked to pay is assessed using the same means assessment used by Australian residents.
How do I access residential aged care?
An aged care assessment will determine if you are eligible for residential aged care (a place in an aged care home).
Using our online tool, you can check if you meet the requirements for an assessment before you decide to apply for one.