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

Aged over 65 years

My Aged Care under the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) or Home Care Packages offers assistance for people 65 years and over (50 years or older for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people). If you are on a low income, homeless or at risk of being homeless, and aged 50 years or older (45 years or older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people), please call the My Aged Care contact centre on 1800 200 422 to discuss your situation.

To register for an assessment, you can contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or use the online eligibility checker.

Aged under 65 years

The Home and Community Care Program for Younger People (HACC PYP) and the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) offer support for people under 65 years of age who require assistance.

HACC PYP

The Home and Community Care Program for Younger People provides support for people with disabilities whose capacity for independent living is at risk. Services are targeted to younger people with moderate, severe, or profound disabilities and their unpaid carers. Not everyone who is eligible can receive an immediate service. This service is funded by the Victorian State Government.

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 

 

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.