What is "short-term restorative care" and how do I get it?
The former Short-Term Restorative Care Programme was replaced by the Support at Home Restorative Care Pathway on 1 November 2025. It provides time-limited allied health and other support to help you regain or maintain independence.
Key points
- Short-Term Restorative Care has been replaced.
- The current option is the Restorative Care Pathway.
- It is time-limited and focused on recovery and independence.
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01Guide sectionWhat is short-term restorative care, and how do I get it?
Short-term restorative care is now provided through the Restorative Care Pathway under Support at Home.
It provides intensive, time-limited support to help an older person regain or maintain strength, mobility, confidence and independence.
It may be useful after:
a fall
an illness or hospital admission
reduced mobility
a noticeable decline in strength or balance
difficulty returning to normal daily activities
a change in health that may improve with rehabilitation.
The aim is not simply to complete tasks for the person. It is to help them improve or adapt so they can continue doing as much as possible for themselves.
02Guide sectionWhat services can it include?
The pathway must include allied health and/or nursing support.
Depending on the person’s assessed needs and goals, services may include:
physiotherapy
occupational therapy
exercise physiology
nursing
falls-prevention support
strength and balance exercises
help relearning everyday activities
personal care
medication assistance
transport
cleaning, shopping or gardening
assistive technology
minor home modifications.
Care may be provided at home, in the community or through a combination of settings.
03Guide sectionHow long does it last?
An approved restorative care episode can last for up to 16 weeks.
The person generally receives around $6,000 for the episode. If extra intensive support is required, the provider may request approval for a further $6,000, giving a possible total of around $12,000 during that episode.
A person may usually receive up to two restorative care funding units within a 12-month period. Separate episodes must generally be non-consecutive, with at least three months between them. Using a second funding unit to extend the first episode generally uses the person’s full allowance for that 12-month period.
04Guide sectionWho is it best suited to?
The pathway is generally suited to someone who:
has experienced a recent decline that may improve
is likely to benefit from intensive short-term clinical support
has clear and achievable goals
is willing and able to participate in therapy or rehabilitation
may be able to avoid or reduce the need for additional ongoing care.
For example, someone who has become unsteady after a hospital admission may receive physiotherapy, occupational therapy, exercises and minor safety equipment to help them return to showering, walking and preparing meals more independently.
It may be less suitable where the person:
requires permanent residential aged care
is receiving or eligible for transition care
is receiving the End-of-Life Pathway
has already used the maximum restorative care funding in the previous 12 months
requires ongoing support that is unlikely to improve through a short intensive program.
An aged care assessor makes the eligibility decision.
05Guide sectionHow do I apply?
Contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or apply for an aged care assessment online.
During the assessment, explain:
what has recently changed
what the person could do before the decline
which daily activities are now difficult
any recent falls, illness or hospital admissions
what the person wants to regain or improve
whether they are willing to participate in exercises and therapy.
The assessor will decide whether the Restorative Care Pathway is appropriate and help establish goals for the support plan.
If the person already receives Support at Home, speak with their care partner. The provider can request a Support Plan Review where a new restorative care episode may be appropriate.
06Guide sectionWhat happens after approval?
Funding for the Restorative Care Pathway is allocated immediately, so there is no standard funding waitlist once approval is granted.
The person must then:
choose a provider that delivers the Restorative Care Pathway
give the provider their My Aged Care referral code
enter into a service agreement
develop a goal plan and individualised budget with the provider
begin services within the date shown on the Notice of Decision.
Services generally need to start within 56 days of approval. My Aged Care may provide a further 28-day extension if requested. Funding may be withdrawn if the person does not begin services by the required date.
07Guide sectionWhat does the restorative care partner do?
The provider should allocate a restorative care partner who coordinates the episode.
They should:
help define realistic goals
develop the goal plan and budget
arrange the allied health and nursing team
coordinate equipment or minor modifications
monitor progress
adjust services where necessary
prepare an exit plan for when the episode finishes.
The team may include different health professionals depending on the person’s needs, such as a physiotherapist, occupational therapist, nurse or exercise physiologist.
08Guide sectionWill I have to pay?
Clinical services, such as nursing, physiotherapy and occupational therapy, are fully government funded, with no participant contribution.
The person may need to contribute towards independence and everyday living services included in the episode, such as transport, cleaning or gardening. The contribution depends on the service category and the person’s assessed financial circumstances.
09Guide sectionCan I receive it with ongoing Support at Home services?
Yes. Someone already receiving ongoing Support at Home services can also receive the Restorative Care Pathway.
The two budgets are separate, and the provider must ensure services complement each other rather than charging twice for the same support.
The practical summary is:
The Restorative Care Pathway provides up to 16 weeks of intensive allied health and nursing support to help an older person recover function or prevent further decline. Apply through My Aged Care, clearly explain the recent change and the abilities the person wants to regain.
10Guide sectionWhat should I do next?
Contact My Aged Care for an assessment or ask for a review if a recent illness, fall or hospital stay has reduced your independence.
11Guide sectionHelpful Local Home Help resources
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