Can younger people with a disability live in residential aged care?
Residential aged care is generally not the intended long-term home for younger people with disability. Entry is tightly restricted, and younger people should usually be supported through disability, health and housing systems instead.
Key points
- Residential aged care is not the preferred pathway for younger people.
- Entry should occur only in exceptional circumstances.
- Disability, health and housing systems should plan alternatives.
Sometimes, but only in limited circumstances.
Australia’s residential aged care system is designed mainly for older people. A person under 65 with disability would usually be expected to explore more age-appropriate accommodation and support through the NDIS, health system, disability services and housing programs before entering an aged care home.
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01Guide sectionWho under 65 may still be eligible?
Under the current Aged Care Act, government-funded aged care may be available to a person with assessed care needs who is:
aged 65 or older
an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person aged 50 or older
aged 50 or older and homeless or at risk of homelessness
already living in an aged care home or already receiving aged care services.
A younger person who meets one of these categories must still complete an aged care needs assessment. Before accessing aged care, they should also be given the opportunity to consider other services and accommodation that may better suit their age, disability and preferences.
A disability diagnosis by itself does not make a person under 65 eligible for residential aged care.
02Guide sectionWhat should be considered instead?
For many younger people with permanent and significant disability, the main pathway is the NDIS.
Depending on eligibility and assessed needs, alternatives may include:
Specialist Disability Accommodation
Supported Independent Living
Individualised Living Options
personal support in a private or community home
home modifications and assistive technology
nursing or complex disability support
rehabilitation or transitional health services.
The NDIS is intended to support eligible participants who entered the scheme before age 65 to live in the community with disability-related housing and assistance suited to their needs.
03Guide sectionWhat if residential aged care is the only immediate option?
Residential aged care may sometimes be considered where:
suitable disability accommodation is not currently available
the person has very complex health and support needs
hospital discharge cannot safely occur without continuous care
other options have been explored and cannot meet the person’s needs
entering or remaining in aged care is the person’s informed choice.
However, it should not automatically become the permanent solution merely because disability housing is difficult to find.
The government’s stated objective is that NDIS participants under 65 should not have to live in residential aged care unless there are exceptional circumstances or it is their will and preference.
04Guide sectionCan a younger NDIS participant remain in an aged care home?
Yes. A person under 65 who is already living in residential aged care may choose to remain there.
They can generally continue receiving aged care services from the home while the NDIS funds eligible disability-related supports in their plan. However, the NDIS does not pay ordinary aged care living expenses such as the residential daily fee for meals, cleaning and utilities.
The person should still be supported to explore other housing options if they would prefer to move.
05Guide sectionWhat support is available to move out?
An NDIS participant should speak with their NDIS planner, contact or support coordinator about their housing and support goals.
They may be connected with specialist planners who can help identify:
suitable housing
disability support arrangements
assistive technology
home modifications
transition support
funding needed to move safely.
The person can continue receiving NDIS supports while alternative options are explored.
People who are not NDIS participants, have complex needs or need help navigating several systems may be able to use the Younger People in Residential Aged Care System Coordinator Program, operated by Ability First Australia. System coordinators can help investigate NDIS eligibility and explore disability, health, housing and community options.
06Guide sectionWhat should families ask before accepting a placement?
Ask:
Have all suitable NDIS housing options been explored?
Is this placement temporary or expected to be permanent?
Does the home have experience supporting a younger person with these needs?
Will the person have access to age-appropriate activities and community life?
Can the home support their communication, relationships, work or study goals?
Which services will aged care fund?
Which supports will the NDIS fund?
Who is coordinating the search for alternative accommodation?
How often will the arrangement be reviewed?
What is the plan if the person wants to leave?
A younger person should be involved directly in these decisions wherever possible.
07Guide sectionWhat should I do next?
Ask for urgent coordination between the hospital or health service, NDIS or disability supports, housing services and an independent advocate before accepting residential aged care as the default option.
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