Support for individuals who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of experiencing homelessness

Older people who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness deserve aged care that meets their needs. Everyone has the right to safe and high-quality care.

If you need extra support, you may be eligible to apply for aged care.

Am I eligible for aged care services? 

The services you can get depend on your situation and needs. In most cases, you need to be assessed before you can access services. You may be eligible if you:

• are aged 50 or older, and
• have prematurely aged and require services for aged care needs, and
• have the following living arrangements:
  • lack of any adequate roof over your head, or
  • have no security of tenure, or have to move between temporary or medium-term shelter, or
  • you have to stay in accommodation that falls below minimum community standards, and
• do not have the means to change your living arrangements.

Can I get aged care that caters 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 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, background, and life experiences.

Some providers tailor their practices, staff and organisation to meet the needs of specific groups. This includes older people who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of experiencing homelessness.

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.

If you, or someone you know is experiencing homelessness, or are at risk of experiencing homelessness, the following services and programs may be able to help.

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 to accessing a government-funded aged care home is to apply for an assessment to find out if you are eligible. Find out how to apply for an assessment.

Your assessor will visit you to chat about your goals and needs. They will confirm what services you are eligible for and may suggest local providers that can 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 housing and financial support can I get?

What questions can I ask aged care providers?

When you’re considering aged care or 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.

You can find more questions 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 other types of aged care.

Who can help me access aged care?

There are many ways to get some help to access aged care, if you want it. This includes speaking to someone who understands your background and experiences. There is a network of free services available that can provide advice and support at every step along the way.

What support is available for carers?

If you are caring for someone, short-term and emergency 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, including peer connections and training, on the Carer Gateway website.  

Learn more about information, resources and support 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 will not 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. An advocate is an impartial person who can help you speak up or work with you and your provider to resolve an issue.

Learn more about raising complaints and concerns.

Useful resources and contacts

The following services and programs may be able to help:

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.

Learn more

Emergency Relief – Ask Izzy  

Ask Izzy is a free and anonymous way to find national and local support. It includes services such as housing, meals, healthcare, counselling and legal advice. 

Learn more