Support for people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex or other sexual orientations or are gender diverse or bodily diverse
Aged care should be welcoming, inclusive and respectful for everyone – including older people of diverse sexual orientation and gender identity.
Everyone has the right to access care that affirms who you are, understands your needs and supports your health and wellbeing.
If you’re an older person and need extra support, you may be eligible to apply for aged care.
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Aged care is changing
The new Aged Care Act is important reform that embeds the right for you to:
- access culturally safe, trauma-aware and healing-informed assessments and aged care services
- have your identity, culture, spirituality and diversity valued and supported
- stay connected to your community and significant people in your life.
Find out more about how aged care reforms will impact you.
Can I get services that cater for my needs?
All providers must recognise your individual needs and values. You have the right to live the life you choose, make decisions about your aged care services, and get support when you want or need it. Aged care providers must explain your aged care services in a way that you understand.
You can access government-funded aged care services if you have care needs and are at least one of the following:
- aged 65 years and over
- an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person aged 50 years and older
- homeless or at risk of homelessness and aged 50 years and older
- already living in an aged care home or accessing aged care services.
You have the right to receive safe, high-quality care and services and to be treated with dignity and respect. Government-funded aged care should value your identity, culture and background.
Some providers tailor their practices, staff and organisation to meet the needs of specific groups. This includes older people who are LGBTI+.
You can also identify providers that offer tailored care in the Find a provider tool. To help narrow your search, use the filters to find and compare providers that offer the care you need.
How do I find a provider that’s right for me?
Whether you’re looking for help at home or considering moving into an aged care home, My Aged Care can help you to find and access a range of aged care services.
The first step is to apply for an assessment. You can register for an assessment online. My Aged Care, or a support service, can also help you.
Your assessor will visit you to chat about your goals and needs. They will confirm what services you are eligible for, then suggest local providers that may be able to help you.
Some providers listed in the Find a provider tool have been verified as delivering care and services that meet specific needs of people from specific backgrounds or life experiences. These providers have undergone a process that validates their claims as a provider of specialised care and services.
Specialisation Verification helps you to be confident that their claims of specialised care have been verified by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing using the Specialisation Verification Framework.
Learn more about specialisation verification for aged care services.
What questions can I ask aged care providers?
When you’re starting to think about aged care or are talking to a provider for the first time, it’s good to think about the kind of care you would like.
Preparing some questions to ask providers when you meet with them can be very helpful. You can take your loved ones, carers, supporters, or anyone you trust with you to these meetings. Some example questions are included below.
These and more questions can be found on the 10 Questions to Ask website. While it focuses on questions you can ask when looking for an aged care home, most of them work for receiving help at home services as well.
The Department also has a consumer guide to help you understand what you are entitled to in aged care and help express your needs when speaking to aged care providers.
Who can help me access aged care?
Aged care can be confusing and complicated, that's why there are many ways to get some help with this process, by speaking to someone who understands your background and experiences. There is a strong support network of free services that wrap around you and your loved ones, who can provide advice and support at every step along the way.
Care finders
The care finder service provides face-to-face support to help vulnerable older people with complex needs, who need intensive support to navigate and access aged care. A care finder can visit you, usually at your home, to help you to work through the steps needed to address your needs.
Services Australia
Services Australia staff can help you with aged care matters. They can provide general information about aged care and help you use the My Aged Care website. If you need more tailored help, you can book an appointment with an Aged Care Specialist Officer. They can provide more detailed information and help with key steps along the way.
Older Person’s Advocacy Network (OPAN)
OPAN provides free and confidential support for older people receiving government-funded aged care. They provide advocacy services to help you receive better aged care.
They can help you:
- understand your rights
- find aged care services that are right for you
- try to solve any problems you’re having with your aged care provider.
What support is available for carers?
If you are caring for someone, short term and general respite services are available. For emergency respite care, contact Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737.
You can find out more about services to support carers on the Carer Gateway website.
We also have dedicated information available for carers.
What if I have concerns about my care?
If you are made to feel unsafe or uncomfortable, are denied a service, or have a concern about your rights, you should tell someone. This could be your aged care provider, a staff member, a friend, family member, an aged care advocate, or anyone you trust.
Learn more about your rights.
You also have the right to raise your concern or make a complaint with the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission. Doing this shouldn’t affect your support services. Discuss the issue with your service provider first, as it may be something they can resolve. You have the right to stop services at any time.
If you are not comfortable talking to your provider, OPAN provides free advocacy services.
Learn more about raising complaints and concerns.
Useful resources and contacts
The following services and programs may be able to help.
LGBTIQ+ Health Australia
The national peak body for LGBTI health and wellbeing, providing health-related programs, services, and research.
Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme (ACVVS)
This scheme supports volunteer visits, providing friendship and companionship if you're feeling isolated. Visits are available to anyone who receives government-funded aged care services.