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Official aged care resources
The government departments, regulators and free support services every family should know about. Each link opens the official site in a new tab.
Getting started with aged care
My Aged CareThe Australian Government's starting point for aged care. Phone 1800 200 422.
Apply for an aged care assessmentApply online for an assessment of your care needs.
About aged care assessmentsWhat happens in an assessment and who does it.
Find a provider (My Aged Care)The government's official provider search, including current room prices.
Aged care homesHow residential aged care works and how to choose a home.
Respite careShort-term care to give carers a break.
Contact My Aged CarePhone, interpreter and face-to-face options.
Costs and fees
Aged care home costs and feesBasic daily fee, means-tested contributions and accommodation costs explained.
Support at Home costs and contributionsWhat you may contribute for help at home.
Aged care calculation of your cost of careServices Australia's means assessment for aged care.
How to apply for a cost of care calculationForms and steps for the income and assets assessment.
Financial Information ServiceFree, independent financial information from Services Australia.
Moneysmart: paying for aged careASIC's guide to aged care costs and choices.
Schedule of residential care feesThe Department's current fees and charges.
Quality, ratings and your rights
Star Ratings for residential aged careHow the government's Star Ratings are calculated.
Aged Care Quality and Safety CommissionThe national regulator of aged care quality and safety.
Make a complaint about aged careRaise a concern about care, free and confidential.
Your rights in aged careYour rights under the Aged Care Act 2024.
Aged Care Quality StandardsThe standards every provider must meet.
Inspector-General of Aged CareIndependent oversight of the aged care system.
Government programs and policy
Aged care (Department of Health, Disability and Ageing)The Department's aged care information hub.
Aged Care Act 2024The law that governs aged care from 1 November 2025.
Support at Home programThe program that replaced Home Care Packages.
Support at Home for older peopleServices, budgets and how to access them.
Residential aged careGovernment information about residential care.
Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing AuthoritySets aged care pricing advice and approves higher room prices.
Data and research
GEN Aged Care DataThe national aged care data source run by the AIHW.
AIHW: older AustraliansReports and statistics on older Australians.
Report on Government Services (aged care)The Productivity Commission's annual performance data.
Support for families and carers
Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN)Free, independent advocacy. Phone 1800 700 600.
Carer GatewayGovernment support, counselling and respite for carers. Phone 1800 422 737.
Dementia Support AustraliaGovernment-funded help with changed behaviours from dementia.
Elder abuse phone lineFree national line: 1800 353 374 (1800 ELDERHelp).
Compass: elder abuse informationGovernment-funded information on preventing elder abuse.
healthdirect: residential aged carePlain-English health information about moving into care.
Links checked October 2026. Aged Care Compare is independent and isn't part of the Australian Government.
AI Aged Care Comparison Report
Prefer to just ask? Describe your situation in your own words
No jargon, no forms full of terms you don't know. Describe the situation like you'd tell a friend. We'll ask a couple of quick questions if something's missing, then compare homes for you using official government data.
- A shortlist with a personal Match Score and why
- What it might cost: lump sum, daily or a mix
- What we couldn't confirm, and the questions to ask
Example
Mum needs a home near 5063 with her own room and ensuite. She's on the full pension and owns her house. Good resident ratings and physio matter to us.
- Understood: area, room, care needs, budget
- Compared homes nearby on government Star Ratings
- Calculated costs with current government rates
- Listed what to check with each home
Your shortlist5 homes
Top Match Score for your preferencesexample 88%
Cost optionsLump sum · daily · part-and-part
Tour checklist and PDFReady to download