Support for people with disability

What support is available?

The support you can access depends on your age and situation.

• I am younger than 65
• I am over 65

I am younger than 65

Australia’s aged care services are designed to support the needs of older people. It is not meant for people younger than 65. From 1 November, under the new Aged Care Act, you can only access Australian 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 to 64 years
• homeless or at risk of homelessness and aged 50 to 64 years
• already living in an aged care home or accessing aged care services.

Find alternative support services you may be able to use. 

I am over 65

After you turn 65, the options available to you depend on your situation.

• If you started receiving NDIS services before turning 65, you can continue to receive services through them once you cross 65. 
• If you were over 65 years of age when the NDIS was rolled out in your area, you may have been accepted into the Continuity of Support (CoS) Programme.
  
  Note: The CoS Programme was replaced by the Disability Support for Older Australians (DSOA) Program on 1 July 2021. DSOA is not open to new clients.
   
• If you are beginning to look for disability services and support, you can apply for an assessment through My Aged Care. Your assessment will identify what government-funded services you may be eligible for.

My Aged Care

My Aged Care provides access to a range of government-funded services that are designed to help you live independently. These include:

• home modifications, to make it easier and safer for you to move around
• aids to make everyday tasks easier
• personal care at home to help with grooming, hygiene and self-care
• physio, podiatry and other therapies to keep you healthy
• transportation, so that you can attend appointments and keep social
• nursing, so that medical needs and other healthcare is supported in your home. 

Whether it’s for temporary help at home or permanent residential care, My Aged Care provides access to different types of care suited to your needs.

You can use our Find a provider tool to find services in your area that specialise in disabilities. Filter your results by using the Specialisations menu on the left hand side of the tool.

If you would prefer to talk to someone, you can call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422.

What other services can help?

Outside of the NDIS and My Aged Care, there are other services which you may find useful.

• Independent Living Centres offer a range of products and equipment and you can decide which one best suits your needs.
• The Disability Gateway assists people with a disability, their families and carers, to find and access trusted information and services. You can visit the Disability Gateway website or call 1800 643 787 for more information.
• Seeing an occupational therapist or physiotherapist can also be useful. They can offer advice on equipment and modifications to make living easier. They can also help you work out the safest way to lift or move the person you care for. Ask your doctor for a referral.
• Local councils often run home maintenance schemes to help make your home safer and easier to manage. You can contact your local council for more information. Visit the Australian Government website, then scroll to the bottom to find links to each state or territory's website.

The NDIS provides a list of government and community support services for people with disability who aren’t eligible for NDIS.