Residential aged care is for older people who can’t live in their own home anymore.
Aged care homes provide residential aged care. That includes:
- accommodation
- help with day-to-day tasks – such as cleaning, cooking and laundry
- personal care – such as bathing, dressing and going to the toilet
- nursing and general health care
- access to health practitioner services, clinical care and therapies
- other services – such as social and emotional support and entertainment.
The Australian government subsidises aged care homes to provide residential care to eligible people. An aged care assessor can assess and approve you to access residential aged care.
Residential care places are now allocated directly to older people. This is so you have more choice over your care.
Our role
We expect all aged care to be:
- safe
- respectful
- delivered upholding your rights and meeting your assessed needs.
We hold providers, responsible persons and workers accountable for meeting their obligations.
The provider’s role
Under the new Aged Care Act 2024, providers must:
- show they understand the Statement of Rights and have practices to make sure they uphold them
- support your right to give feedback or make a complaint to them or to us
- comply with the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards that apply to their registration categories
- follow the Code of Conduct for Aged Care (Code) and make sure their workers and responsible persons follow the Code.
If you have concerns
If you’re concerned about the care you’re receiving, you should:
- talk to your provider and ask them to fix the issue
- raise your concerns or make a complaint to us.
If you need help making a complaint or finding information, contact the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) for free, independent and confidential support. Call the Aged Care Advocacy Line on 1800 700 600.
You can find more information on residential care on the My Aged Care Residential Care page.
