What do we mean when we talk about younger people in residential aged care?
When we talk about younger people in residential aged care, we mean someone under the age of 65 who lives permanently in a residential aged care facility.
We’re committed to making sure younger people have a choice where they live. You may choose to live in an environment better suited to your interests and needs.
If you’re a younger person in residential aged care and live with a permanent disability, you might be eligible to access the NDIS. We may be able to fund and support you to find different accommodation. We may also be able to pay some of your residential aged care fees, as well as other NDIS supports for your disability support needs.
If you’re an NDIS participant and the first time you move permanently into residential aged care:
- before you turned 65, you can choose to remain a participant and continue to receive our support after you turn 65
- after you turn 65, you will no longer receive support from us. This is because the aged care system will fund your support needs.
Ability First Australia (AFA) system coordinators can help you test your eligibility for the NDIS (where appropriate). If you’re not eligible for the NDIS, they can help you explore other care and housing AFA options.
The AFA system coordinators program will help you explore your options if you are:
- a younger person under 65
- not an NDIS participant
- either residing in or thinking about moving into, residential aged care.
We acknowledge aged care isn’t a suitable place for a younger person to live, unless you have exceptional circumstances.
Learn more at the Principles and guidelines for a younger person’s access to Commonwealth funded aged care services on the Department of Health and Aged Care website.
How can we support you to move out of residential aged care?
If you're an NDIS participant under the age of 65, you don’t have to stay living in residential aged care. We can provide funding in your NDIS plan to help you move out.
We're committed to making sure younger people don’t have to remain living in residential aged care facilities. If you want to move out of residential aged care, talk to your family, friends, support coordinator or your my NDIS contact.
You can ask for a change to your plan to add your home and living goals. We can support you to explore other home and living options.
Your residential aged care facility can organise a different living arrangement for you over a short period of time. For more information about short-term leave from residential aged care, check out the Department of Health and Aged care website .
Once you decide you’d like to move out of residential aged care, we’ll talk about the NDIS supports you need to work towards your goal. For example:
- funding for a support coordinator to look at other housing options for you
- capacity building NDIS supports to help you build your skills and confidence to move out
- core NDIS supports to help you with everyday activities, like consumables or support to take part in activities in the community. This also includes NDIS supports for a trial in a potential housing option.
To learn more about other NDIS home and living supports that may be suitable for you, have a look at: