If you are over 65 you can access aged care services via My Aged Care, the Australian government’s gateway to help older people get the support they need.
My Aged Care offers a range of resources and support to help people understand and access various aged care services, whether they need assistance at home, respite care, or residential care.
Should I be considering aged care services?
Seeking assistance does not mean losing your independence, in fact it can mean maintaining it. Getting support with daily activities can help you can stay independent at home for longer.
If you have received a diagnosis of Parkinson’s, MSA, PSP, or CBS, you might start to think about aged care services. Ask yourself the following questions:
- Can I still mobilise safely around home or in the community?
- Can I still perform daily activities that I used to manage independently or with out causing excessive fatigue?
- Would I be able to manage at home if my support person was suddenly unable to support me?
If you answered no to any of these questions it may be beneficial to investigate what support is available to you now and for the future.
What government funded support might be available?
Receiving support will look different for everyone – it may include:
In home services to help
- Access the community and stay social
- Complete personal care tasks
- Plan and prepare your own meals
- Assist with household chores.
Nursing and allied health services
Nursing and allied health professionals including physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and speech pathologists may be available to assist with
- Access to adaptive equipment (funded by My Aged Care)
- Recommendations for home modifications (funded by My Aged Care)
- Monitoring and managing chronic health conditions
- Managing continence issues
Residential respite or permanent care
If you are unable to manage at home, you may also consider accessing residential care in an aged care facility which could be short term (respite) or long-term (permanent) care.
Am I eligible for government subsidised aged care services?
Services which are subsidised by My Aged Care are means tested. This means your income and assets are considered when determining if you will receive a subsidy or will need to make a co-payment to support the services you need.
Where do I start?
Before you can access government-subsidised aged care services, either in your home or residential care, you need to apply for an assessment. This can be done by calling My Aged Care or applying online.
After you register, an assessment organisation will contact you. To ensure you do not miss the opportunity to book your assessment, it is best to answer all calls, including form private numbers, until you have booked your assessment.
They will confirm your needs and arrange an assessment, most likely in your own home. You will also receive a My Aged Care welcome pack in the mail containing helpful information and outlining what your next steps will be.
Will I need to wait for aged care assessment or services?
It is important to note there could be a lengthy wait for an aged care assessment. Once the assessment is complete there may also be a lengthy wait for services. Wait times are highly variable.
I already use My Aged Care, what has changed?
On 1 November 2025, the Support at Home program replaced the Home Care Package and Short-Term Restorative Care programs.
If you are already engaged with My Aged Care, or had an assessment prior to this date, your package coordinator will contact you in relation to any changes you may experience.
For further information
If you have further questions, you can contact My Aged Care (https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/) or the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability, and Ageing (www.health.gov.au).
You can also contact Fight Parkinson’s to discuss your individual situation on 1800 931 031 or [email protected].
