News and updates

Information for older Australians on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Older people are at greater risk of more serious illness if they get COVID-19. If you – or someone you care for – need help, there is support available. This COVID-19 page lists a range of important resources to assist you.

image caption: An illustration of an older man watering his garden.

Spotlight: My Aged Care’s Help explorer

If you're unsure about what aged care services are available, it can help to read about people in similar situations and how they received help.

Image Description: two women with their backs turned walking away from the viewer

How you appoint a support person has changed

If you're planning for, or receiving, aged care services it can help to appoint a person to support you. You can now appoint an individual or an advocacy organisation to support you through the aged care process.

Image Description: an older man sitting at a table while an older woman places her arm around his back.

Have your say on aged care reform in Australia

We invite everyone to continue to have their say about the aged care reforms. There are plenty of opportunities for you to stay informed and have your say through surveys, webinars, online workshops, consultation papers and face-to-face events.

Program in focus: Community Visitor’s Scheme

If you are feeling lonely, isolated or need help building new social connections, you can access support through the Community Visitor’s Scheme (CVS). The CVS is a free program that can help you connect to a volunteer support network in your community.

Face-to-face support for aged care services

A new My Aged Care face-to-face service is now available to help older Australians access government-funded aged care services.

Webinar: Your wellbeing - Social and emotional strategies

The Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) will host a webinar next Tuesday, 26 October, to help older Australians and carers adjust to life as COVID-19 restrictions ease.

New features on My Aged Care website – October 2021

Read about the latest updates and new features that were added to the My Aged Care website in October—including help getting started on your aged care journey, the 'Help Explorer' tool and improvements to the 'Find a provider' tool.

Celebrating National Carers Week 2021

The week of 10-16 October is National Carers Week, to celebrate and recognise the 2.65 million Australians who provide care and support for a family member or friend.

How to get your COVID-19 digital certificate

You can now show if you are vaccinated against COVID-19 with a digital certificate. Once you are fully vaccinated, you can download a COVID-19 digital certificate using your Medicare online account through MyGov.

Join the conversation on Ageism Awareness Day

Friday, 1 October is the International Day of Older Persons and Australia’s first Ageism Awareness Day. To mark the occasion, Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) and the Council of the Ageing (COTA) are holding live online events.

New map shows aged care home worker vaccinations rates

All residential aged care workers must receive at least a first COVID-19 vaccine dose by 17 September 2021. You can now find out the rate of worker vaccinations at every aged care facility in Australia. To find out more view the interactive map on the Department of Health’s website.

Webinar: How reforms will support aged care workers

The next webinar in a series on aged care reforms in Australia will focus on how these reforms can grow and support a highly skilled aged care workforce. This webinar will take place on Monday, 2 August 2021.

Webinar: Aged care reforms for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds

How will people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds benefit from the planned aged care reforms in Australia? Join us on Thursday, 22 July 2021 to learn more at our next aged care reform webinar.

Webinar: A focus on dementia

The next webinar in a series about aged care reforms, on 21 July 2021, will focus on how these reforms will improve quality of life and care for people living with dementia.

Webinar: Improving outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in aged care

The next webinar in a series about aged care reforms, on 19 July 2021, will discuss how these reforms will deliver aged care improvements for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

New grief and bereavement website

The Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement has developed a new website for people living and working in aged care who have been impacted by COVID-19.

OPAN: Stay Connected and Supported

A new initiative from the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) is linking older Australians to a range of services which can help them stay connected and supported in their communities.

Budget delivers more than $17.7 billion for aged care

In response to the final report of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, the Australian Government is delivering a $17.7 billion aged care reform package. The reforms will provide better, fairer aged care, and deliver respect, care and dignity to older Australians.

New resource: 10 questions to ask about residential aged care

The New South Wales Nursing and Midwifery Association, along with other aged care experts, has developed new resources to empower older Australians to ask questions when searching for an aged care home.

My Aged Care website no longer supports Internet Explorer

Last year Microsoft, and as a result, the My Aged Care website, stopped supporting Internet Explorer (IE). This means if you use IE to access the My Aged Care website, you will likely notice some features do not work, or are no longer available.

Disability Gateway now live

The Department of Social Services has launched a new service for Australians living with disability, their families and carers, to find and access trusted disability support information and services.

COVID-19: what do I do if I need a vaccine?

If you’re an older person receiving aged care services, or care for someone receiving services, there is information available to you about the COVID-19 vaccine program for aged care. This includes older people who receive residential, in-home and community aged care.

Grief and trauma support for older Australians impacted by COVID-19

If you receive, work or care for someone in aged care and need grief or trauma support due to COVID-19, there is government help available. Support includes counselling, information on self-care, resources, and advocacy services. There are also specific services for carers and people living with dementia.