Step 1 Get Informed Step 2 Get Set-Up Step 3 Get Assessed Step 4 Working Out Your Finances Step 5 Search Aged Cared Homes Step 6 Aged Care Operators Step 7 Applications Step 8 Agreements Step 9 Moving
Step 1Get Informed Step 2Get Set-Up Step 3Get Assessed Step 4Working Out Your Finances Step 5Search Aged Cared Homes Step 6Aged Care Operators Step 7Applications Step 8Agreements Step 9Moving

Find Aged Care More Easily

Be guided by our comprehensive steps to aged care and search the largest database of homes

Search by postcode, suburb, region or name

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How do I navigate the aged care system?

This journey may seem overwhelming but be reassured that you are not alone. Every year over 60,000 people enter aged care homes permanently.

Our strong advice: Pull together the documents you will need at each stop. It will save you great frustration. Also, check out YourConcierge101 as a starting point. In 17 quick steps you will build your personal profile and receive the essential facts and tailored tools to make the best decisions and avoid the expensive and emotional mistakes.

What are aged care homes?

Aged care homes provide both accommodation and 24 hour a day care for people who are unable to get the type of care and other assistance they need at home. Aged care homes are sometimes described as residential aged care facilities or nursing homes too.

Allow up to 3 months or more to find a home

View transcript of video here

If you think you need to find an aged care home for you or someone else and you don't know the first thing about what to do or where to start, then you've come to the right place.

9 steps to an Aged Care home

STEP 1

Get Informed

The aged care system has changed. You now have to pay part of your aged care costs. Everyone has to register in the system and reveal how much wealth...

Begin

2 weeks

STEP 2

Get Set-Up

You can’t talk to the aged care system or banks or others unless you have ‘capacity’, meaning you can prove you are mentally healthy, or you have ‘...

Begin

4 weeks

STEP 3

Get Assessed

You need to organize an ACAT assessment to decide how much care support you need. You book an appointment through the my aged care call centre or web...

Begin

8 weeks

STEP 4

Working Out Your Finances

Everybody has to complete the government’s 130 question Assets & Income test. The results tell you how much you have to pay for each aged care...

Begin

6 weeks

STEP 5

Search Aged Care Homes

Not every home has all services. Location can be a big factor – close to family or transport. You will need to narrow down the search by elimination.

Begin

2 weeks

STEP 6

Aged Care Operators

Checking out the operator of your chosen home is important. They are being handed responsibility for medical and emotional care. Each has a unique...

Begin

1 week

STEP 7

Applications

There are four separate fees and costs you may have to pay. Depending on your wealth will decide if you can afford your first, second or third choice...

Begin

12 weeks

STEP 8

Agreements

You will be entering a contract that requires a financial commitment by you. It will need to be negotiated. You may need to prove that you can pay...

Begin

2 weeks

STEP 9

Moving

You may have to raise money to pay daily fees plus a possible large lump sum, usually requiring the sale of the family home. Respect and emotions are...

Begin

12 weeks

Looking for aged care?

Did you know it could be 13 weeks or more to secure an aged care home?

agedcare101 makes aged care easy with 9 steps to an aged care home. You’re likely feeling the pressure to do something now but it’s equally important to invest the time to complete each of the steps and get the best result.

Watch Video for

Get Informed Get Set-Up Applications Get Assessed - ACAT
Agreements Finances Moving Aged Care Homes

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A special thanks to our contributors

Icons
Caroline Egan

DCM Media, agedcare101

Caroline has a wealth of experience writing within the retirement and aged care sector and is a contributing journalist for the Villages.com.au and agedcare101 blog and accompanying newsletters.

Read Profile
Icons
Ian Horswill

Journalist

Ian is a journalist, writer and sub-editor for the aged care sector, working at The DCM Group. He writes for The Weekly Source, agedcare101, villages.com.au and the DCM Institute fortnightly newsletter Friday. Ian is in daily contact with CEOs of retirement living, land lease and the aged care operations and makes a new contact every week. He investigates media releases, LinkedIn and Facebook for a good source for ideas for stories.

Read Profile
Icons
Lauren Broomham

Retirement and Aged Care Journalist

Lauren is a journalist for villages.com.au, agedcare101 and The Donaldson Sisters. Growing up in a big family in small town communities, she has always had a love for the written word, joining her local library at the age of six months. With over eight years' experience in writing and editing, she is a keen follower of news and current affairs with a nose for a good story.

Read Profile
Icons
Jill Donaldson

Physiotherapist

Jill has been practicing as a clinical physiotherapist for 30 years. For the last 13 years she has worked solely in the Aged Care sector in more than 50 metropolitan and regional facilities. Jill has also toured care facilities in the US and Africa and is a passionate advocate for both the residents in aged care and the staff who care for them. She researches and writes for DCM Media.

Read Profile
Icons
Chris Baynes

DCM Media, agedcare101

Chris has been a journalist and publisher in the retirement village and aged care sectors for 11 years. He has visited over 250 retirement villages and 50 aged care facilities both within Australia and internationally. Chris is a regular speaker at industry conferences plus is a frequent radio commentator.

Read Profile
Icons
Annie Donaldson

Nurse and Carer

Annie has a long career in both nursing and the media. She has planned and co-ordinated the medical support from both international TV productions and major stadium events. In recent years she has been a primary family carer plus involved in structured carer support.

Read Profile
Icons
Caroline Egan

DCM Media, agedcare101

Caroline has a wealth of experience writing within the retirement and aged care sector and is a contributing journalist for the Villages.com.au and agedcare101 blog and accompanying newsletters.

Read Profile
Icons
Ian Horswill

Journalist

Ian is a journalist, writer and sub-editor for the aged care sector, working at The DCM Group. He writes for The Weekly Source, agedcare101, villages.com.au and the DCM Institute fortnightly newsletter Friday. Ian is in daily contact with CEOs of retirement living, land lease and the aged care operations and makes a new contact every week. He investigates media releases, LinkedIn and Facebook for a good source for ideas for stories.

Read Profile
Icons
Lauren Broomham

Retirement and Aged Care Journalist

Lauren is a journalist for villages.com.au, agedcare101 and The Donaldson Sisters. Growing up in a big family in small town communities, she has always had a love for the written word, joining her local library at the age of six months. With over eight years' experience in writing and editing, she is a keen follower of news and current affairs with a nose for a good story.

Read Profile
Icons
Jill Donaldson

Physiotherapist

Jill has been practicing as a clinical physiotherapist for 30 years. For the last 13 years she has worked solely in the Aged Care sector in more than 50 metropolitan and regional facilities. Jill has also toured care facilities in the US and Africa and is a passionate advocate for both the residents in aged care and the staff who care for them. She researches and writes for DCM Media.

Read Profile
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Chris Baynes

DCM Media, agedcare101

Chris has been a journalist and publisher in the retirement village and aged care sectors for 11 years. He has visited over 250 retirement villages and 50 aged care facilities both within Australia and internationally. Chris is a regular speaker at industry conferences plus is a frequent radio commentator.

Read Profile
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Annie Donaldson

Nurse and Carer

Annie has a long career in both nursing and the media. She has planned and co-ordinated the medical support from both international TV productions and major stadium events. In recent years she has been a primary family carer plus involved in structured carer support.

Read Profile