Useful information for older people

Moorabool Shire Council is committed to supporting older residents by providing information that promotes independence, wellbeing and informed decision-making. This page brings together key resources to help older people access the support they need.

 

Aged Care Reforms

Aged Care Reforms

The aged care reforms will put older Australians first, improving quality, safety and choice in aged care. The new Support at Home program to be rolled out in 2 stages. From 1 November 2025, the new aged care Support at Home program will replace the existing Home Care Packages Program and Short-Term Restorative Care Programme. The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) will transition no earlier than 1 July 2027. The Australian Government is committed to delivering reforms to in-home aged care. The reforms will serve the needs of all older people in Australia now and into the future.

Find out more on the Australian Government website.

How to Access Government Funded Care Services

In Home Care Services

Support At Home

The Support at Home program delivers government-funded aged care services to help older people to stay at home for longer. On 1 November 2025, it replaced the Home Care Packages Program and Short-Term Restorative Care Programme.

Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP)

The CHSP provides entry-level support for older people who need some help to stay at home. Service providers work with them to maintain their independence and keep them as well as possible. The CHSP also provides respite services to give carers a break.

The CHSP is for eligible older people who need support to live independently and are:

  • aged 65 years and over
  • an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person aged 50 years or older or
  • homeless, or at risk of homelessness, and aged 50 years or over.

My Aged Care

My Aged Care is your starting point to access Australian Government-funded aged care services. My Aged Care can help you get the support you need, including:

  • how aged care can help in your situation applying for an assessment which will determine what services you are eligible for, 
  • applying to register a supporter setting up your services and understanding costs and fees managing your existing services.
  •  applying to register a supporter
  • setting up your services and understanding your fees
  • managing your existing services

To access government funded aged care, you will need to have an aged care assessment completed by My Aged Care.

Ways to contact My Aged Care

  • You can call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422. Closed on Sundays. 
  • You can speak with an Aged Care Specialist Officer (ACSO) in person at various Services Australia locations.
  • Once you are registered with My Aged Care, a personalised client record is created for you, which you can access through your Online Account. Here, you can upload a range of documents that can be shared with assessors, service providers, and My Aged Care.
  • If you need to post information – for example, signed forms – to My Aged Care, you can send them to this address: PO Box 1237 Runaway Bay QLD 4216

NDIS

The NDIS provides funding to eligible people with a disability to gain more time with family and friends, greater independence, access to new skills, jobs, or volunteering in their community, and an improved quality of life. The NDIS also connects anyone with disability to services in their community. This includes connections to doctors, community groups, sporting clubs, support groups, libraries, and schools, as well as providing information about what support is provided by each state and territory government.

To see if you may be eligible for NDIS, you can use the online eligibility checker, contact the National Contact Centre on 1800 800 110 or email enquiries@ndis.gov.au.

Assistance for Veterans

You may be able to access some assistance at home if you have a Veteran healthcare card. The Veterans’ Home Care (VHC) Program offers some help so you can live independently. It is not for complex or high-level care needs. If you have long-term, high-level care needs, you may be referred to Community Nursing. Community nursing (CN) offers clinical and personal care services at home. The program employs qualified nurses and support staff. Services can include; help with medication, wound care, hygiene, showering and dressing.

Assistance for Indigenous Older People

As part of the Aged Care reforms, the Federal Government is funding programs to ensure First Nations people aged 50 years or over can access quality, culturally appropriate aged care services. It’s important to find aged care services that respect your culture as well as meet your care needs. If you are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, and 50 years or older, there are services that provide specialised care such as the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care Program and the Elder Care Support program.  Through My Aged Care, you can find local providers who specialise in services for First Nations people. To register for an assessment, you can contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or use the online eligibility checker.

 

Care Finder Program

Some older people need extra, intensive support to access aged care services and other supports in the community.

In these situations, a care finder may be able to help. Care finder Program is a free service. It exists to support vulnerable people, who have no one else who can support them, to learn about, apply for and set up support services.

In Western Victoria, the following organisations provide support through the Care Finder Program:

 Primary Health Network (PHN) Western Victoria 

Catholic Care Victoria 

Wintringham 

Housing for the Aged Action Group (HAAG)

IPC Health 

Elder Abuse

If you have concerns about elder abuse, you can

  • Call the national 1800 ELDERHelp (1800 353 374) (freecall) to talk to someone about potential or actual elder abuse. This service provides information on how you can get help, support and referrals.
  • Visit the COMPASS website for information, a support directory and resources about elder abuse.
  • Contact Seniors Rights Victoria, 1300 368 821-  Victoria's helpline for information about abuse and abuse prevention 

COTA Victoria Aged Care Navigation Service

COTA Victoria's new Aged Care Navigation Service pilot is designed to fill a growing information gap arising from recent changes to the Aged Care Act and the subsequent provision of independent living aged care services. As part of this pilot, members of COTA Victoria’s team will provide free, personalised advice and recommendations to those struggling to find answers regarding aged care systems and services.

One-hour sessions are now available between Monday and Thursday. Appointments are free.

To find out more visit https://cotavic.org.au/our-programs/aged-care-navigation-service/

Need to get in touch?

Please contact us if you would like to talk on 03 5366 7100.

Or view our contact us page for more ways to contact our customer service team.