Leslie Massey
Australia's ageing population has resulted in an increased number of people needing aged care. In 2016, almost 250,000 people were using residential care, home care, or transition care services, a 31% increase over the last decade. As of 2024, around two-thirds of people using aged care services were women, and over half of those in permanent residential care were aged 85 and over. Australia provides institutional long-term care for almost 20% of the population aged 80 and above, and 6% of those aged 65 and above. Most older Australians prefer to remain in their homes as they age, and the government provides funding for in-home care services for eligible people.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of older Australians living in households | 95.9% |
| Number of older Australians living in cared-accommodation | 180,900 |
| Percentage of older Australians with disability | 52.3% |
| Percentage of older Australians with one or more long-term health conditions | 86.6% |
| Percentage of older Australians with disability living in cared-accommodation | 3.3% |
| Percentage of older Australians aged 65 and over | 17.1% |
| Number of people using aged care services in Australia as of June 2024 | N/A |
| Percentage of people using aged care services in Australia who are women | 66% |
| Percentage of people aged 65 and over living in permanent residential aged care with high care ratings | 37% |
| Percentage of people in residential aged care among COVID-19 related deaths in Australia as of June 2022 | 29% |
| Percentage of people in Australia aged over 65 as of 2016 | 249,000 |
| Projected percentage of people in Australia aged over 65 by 2056 | 22% |
| Projected percentage of people in Australia aged over 65 by 2096 | 25% |
| Percentage of people in permanent residential care aged 85 and over as of June 2024 | 59% |
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What You'll Learn
Aged care homes in Australia
Australia's aged care system offers a variety of services to cater to people as they age. Aged care homes in Australia provide accommodation services (also known as "hotel services") and personal care assistance (e.g. bathing, personal hygiene, continence management, and dressing). Aged care homes may also provide more complex care and services such as specialised bedding materials, non-customised mobility goods, incontinence aids, nursing services, and allied health services.
As of 2022, 4.1% of older Australians (around 180,900 people) were living in cared-accommodation such as hospitals, nursing homes, and aged care hostels. This number is expected to increase as Australia's population ages due to longer life expectancy and low fertility rates. By 2056, it is projected that 8.7 million Australians (22% of the population) will be aged 65 and over.
The majority of older Australians (95.9%) prefer to remain in their own homes as they age. The Australian Government offers funding to help subsidise the costs of in-home aged care services for eligible people. A Home Care Package provides long-term help to allow people to stay independent in their own homes for as long as possible and offers four levels of care packages. The lowest level provides basic care such as shopping assistance, transportation, and meal preparation, while the highest level provides high-level care such as assistance with bathing, dressing, and getting out of bed, including support for additional care needs such as dementia or vision and hearing impairment.
For those who require permanent residential care, aged care homes in Australia provide accommodation and care. Permanent care is intended for those who can no longer live at home due to increased care needs. Aged care homes in Australia may be government-funded, not-for-profit, or private. As of December 2022, a five-star rating system was implemented across Australia to rate aged care facilities, with 9% rated as substandard.
Overall, Australia's aged care system offers a range of options for older Australians, from in-home care to residential aged care homes, to meet their individual needs and preferences.
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Home care services
The Australian government provides funding and support for home healthcare services, including nursing care, personal care, and allied healthcare services. In 2020, there were approximately 84,000 home care workers in Australia. The number of people employed in home care and support services increased by 28% between 2020 and 2022.
Home care packages (HCPs) are subsidized by the Australian government to provide care and support to older people in their own homes. The number of people in an HCP in Australia has risen steadily from over 71,000 in the financial year 2017 to just over 176,000 in 2021. As of March 2024, over 280,000 people had access to an HCP, a 6% increase from March 2023. More than 273,000 recipients were actively using their HCPs in 2024, a 10% increase compared to 2023.
The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) provides support to more than 800,000 people in 2022-2023. In 2023-24, about 835,000 people were assisted under the CHSP.
Most older Australians prefer to remain in their own homes as they age. In 2015, 83% of people over 60 surveyed in the Housing Decisions of Older Australians research paper by the Australian Government's Productivity Commission preferred to continue living in their own homes.
A Home Care Package provides long-term help to allow people to stay independent in their own homes for as long as possible. It offers four levels of care packages to support people with basic, low, intermediate, and high care needs. Depending on the level of support needed, an aged care services provider can work with an individual to create a care plan tailored to their needs.
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Aged care for Indigenous Australians
Australia's population is ageing, with an increase in the number of people requiring aged care. In 2016, almost 250,000 people were using residential care, home care, or transition care services, a 31% increase over the previous decade.
The Australian government provides a range of aged care services for Indigenous Australians. These services are available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 and over. This is because Indigenous Australians have a greater need for care at a younger age compared to non-Indigenous Australians. These services are designed to be culturally safe and appropriate, and can include support for cleaning, cooking, bathing, social activities, gardening, and transportation for shopping and appointments.
Indigenous Australians can access government-funded aged care services through the My Aged Care service. This service can help individuals find and access a range of aged care services, including in-home care and residential care. My Aged Care can also arrange for an assessment by the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) or ACAS (in Victoria) to determine eligibility for government funding to help cover the cost of aged care services.
In addition, the Australian government has implemented reforms to improve access to culturally safe aged care for older Indigenous Australians. These reforms include working closely with Indigenous organisations and stakeholders to ensure that aged care meets the unique needs of this community.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, among people aged 65-74, Indigenous Australians were 2.8 times more likely to use home support and 5.3 times more likely to use home care as of 30 June 2022, compared to non-Indigenous Australians. Indigenous Australians were also 2.3 times more likely to use residential aged care during this period.
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Aged care during COVID-19
Australia's population is ageing, with longer life expectancy and low fertility rates. As of 2016, one in six Australians is over 65, and this number is projected to increase to 22% of the population by 2056. This ageing population has resulted in a higher number of people requiring aged care. In 2016, 249,000 people were using residential care, home care, or transition care services, a 31% increase over the previous decade.
The Australian aged care system provides institutional long-term care for 20% of the population aged 80 and above, and 6% of those aged 65 and above. Most older Australians prefer to remain in their homes as they age, with 95.9% living in households. However, 4.1% (180,900 people) live in cared-accommodation, such as hospitals, nursing homes, and aged care hostels.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring the safety and well-being of residents in care facilities became critical. Ageing Australia provided information and resources to assist service providers in preventing and managing COVID-19 outbreaks in aged care settings. This included guidance on vaccination, PPE, infection prevention, and control. The National COVID-19 Aged Care Plan, curated by the Department of Health, Disability, and Ageing, offered a range of resources for the prevention, control, and management of acute respiratory infection outbreaks, including COVID-19, in residential care facilities.
Home and community care COVID-19 guidance was also provided to address the unique challenges faced by home care settings during the pandemic. This guidance emphasised the importance of vaccinating older Australians and their caregivers, as well as implementing measures to reduce COVID-19 risks for both residents and staff.
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Government-funded aged care
Australia's population is ageing, with longer life expectancy and low fertility rates. In 2016, one in six Australians was aged over 65, and by 2056, it is projected that 22% of the population (8.7 million people) will be over 65. This ageing population has resulted in an increased number of people needing aged care. In 2016, 249,000 people were using residential care, home care, or transition care services—a 31% increase over the previous decade.
The Australian government funds and subsidises a range of aged care homes across the country. The government-funded and not-for-profit providers have historically dominated the aged care sector. However, there is no official government channel regulating private aged-care providers and reporting on their service quality. As of 2022, a five-star rating system was implemented across Australia, with 9% of aged care facilities rated as substandard.
The government funds aged care homes to provide care and support services to those in need. Aged care homes can assist with everyday tasks, personal care, and nursing care. They provide accommodation services, including meals, laundry, and social activities, and also cover the costs of maintaining the aged care home, such as cleaning and maintenance. Personal care includes assistance with bathing, eating, medication management, and health treatments. Clinical care is also provided according to individual needs, including special bedding, nursing services, and therapy services such as speech therapy, podiatry, and physiotherapy.
To access government-funded aged care services, older Australians or their carers can contact the My Aged Care service. My Aged Care can arrange for an assessment by the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) or ACAS (in Victoria) to determine eligibility and funding levels. Funding is paid directly to the service provider, and individuals may be expected to contribute to the cost of their care based on their income and personal circumstances. The Home Support Programme also allows individuals requiring short-term help or assistance with daily activities to access specific services as needed.
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