Note: Home Care Packages were replaced by the Support at Home program from November 2025. References to Home Care Packages below now apply to Support at Home.

Australia operates two separate support systems: the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) for people with disability, and the aged care system for older Australians. Age is the primary dividing line, but eligibility rules create overlap and exceptions that confuse many people seeking support.

Key Points

  • NDIS is for people under 65 with permanent and significant disability acquired before turning 65
  • Aged care is for people 65 and over (or 50 and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians) needing support due to aging
  • If you join the NDIS before 65, you can usually continue receiving NDIS support after turning 65
  • You cannot join the NDIS for the first time after turning 65, even with significant disability
  • The aged care system provides different types of support (Support at Home, Commonwealth Home Support Programme, residential care)
  • People transitioning from NDIS to aged care often experience reduced funding and support levels

Age as the Primary Divider

Age determines which system you access, with 65 as the standard cutoff point.

NDIS Age Requirements

You must be under 65 when you first apply to the NDIS. This is a hard cutoff with limited exceptions. The NDIS was designed to support people who acquire disability early in life and need long-term supports to participate in community and work.

If you apply at age 64 and 11 months and receive approval, you can continue receiving NDIS support indefinitely, even after turning 65. However, if you apply one week after your 65th birthday, you will be rejected regardless of disability severity.

Aged Care Age Requirements

The aged care system is available from age 65 for most Australians. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can access aged care from age 50, recognizing the significant health gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

Unlike the NDIS, there is no upper age limit for aged care. You can access aged care services at 65, 85, or 105.

Disability vs Aging Needs

Beyond age, the systems target different types of support needs.

NDIS Disability Criteria

The NDIS supports people with permanent and significant disability that substantially reduces functional capacity. Eligible disabilities include:

  • Physical disabilities affecting mobility, strength, or dexterity
  • Intellectual disability or cognitive impairment
  • Psychosocial disability related to mental health conditions
  • Sensory disability (vision or hearing loss)
  • Neurological conditions (such as cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, acquired brain injury)
  • Autism spectrum disorder
  • Developmental delays in children

The disability must be permanent (likely to be lifelong) or result from a condition likely to be permanent. Temporary conditions, injuries that will heal, or conditions caused purely by aging do not qualify.

Aged Care Support Needs

Aged care supports older Australians whose care needs arise from aging rather than lifelong disability. Common support needs include:

  • Reduced mobility from arthritis, osteoporosis, or falls risk
  • Dementia and cognitive decline
  • Chronic health conditions requiring care management
  • Frailty and general functional decline
  • Recovery from illness, surgery, or hospital stays
  • Social isolation and need for community connection

The distinction between disability and aging is not always clear. For example, someone developing dementia at age 62 might qualify for NDIS, while someone developing identical dementia symptoms at age 67 would access aged care.

Comparing the Two Systems

While both systems provide support, their structures, funding levels, and philosophies differ significantly.

FeatureNDISAged Care
Age of entryUnder 65 (under 50 for Indigenous Australians for aged care equivalent)65+ (50+ for Indigenous Australians)
Eligibility basisPermanent and significant disabilityAging-related support needs
Funding modelIndividualized plans based on disability impactSupport at Home funding or means-tested fees
Plan amounts$30,000 to $500,000+ annually depending on needsLevel 1: ~$9,000/year to Level 4: ~$55,000/year
Choice and controlHigh (participant directs supports)Moderate (provider-led service delivery)
Provider choiceAny registered or unregistered provider (if plan/self-managed)Approved aged care providers only
Goal focusLong-term life goals and capacity buildingMaintenance and quality of life
Housing supportsSpecialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) availableResidential aged care facilities
DurationOngoing for life (if needs continue)Ongoing for life (if needs continue)
Exit ageNone (can continue indefinitely)None (continues until death or no longer needed)

Overlap Between Systems

Some people sit at the boundary between NDIS and aged care, creating eligibility questions.

If you are under 65 and develop dementia, stroke, or other conditions commonly associated with aging, you may qualify for NDIS if the condition is permanent and creates significant functional impact.

The NDIA assesses whether supports are required due to disability (NDIS eligible) or aging (aged care appropriate). In practice, most people under 65 with dementia or stroke qualify for NDIS.

NDIS Participants Turning 65

If you are receiving NDIS support when you turn 65, you generally continue receiving NDIS support. The NDIA does not automatically transition you to aged care at 65.

However, there are exceptions:

  • If you permanently enter residential aged care for the first time after turning 65, you must leave the NDIS
  • If your disability needs significantly change after 65, the NDIA may reassess whether NDIS remains the appropriate system

Most NDIS participants remain in the scheme indefinitely after 65, continuing to receive the same level of support.

People Over 65 with Lifelong Disability

If you have had significant disability since childhood but never accessed NDIS (because it did not exist when you were younger, or you managed without formal support), you cannot join NDIS after turning 65.

This creates inequality. Two people with identical cerebral palsy may receive vastly different support levels based solely on whether they applied to NDIS before or after their 65th birthday.

Accessing the NDIS

If you are under 65 and have permanent disability, apply through the NDIS access process.

NDIS Access Requirements

To qualify for NDIS, you must meet all of the following:

  1. Age: Under 65 at the time you apply
  2. Residency: Australian citizen, permanent resident, or hold a Protected Special Category Visa
  3. Disability: Have permanent impairment that substantially reduces functional capacity in one or more life areas
  4. Support needs: Require support from the NDIS to pursue goals related to employment, education, social participation, independence, or health and wellbeing

How to Apply to NDIS

Complete an Access Request Form through the NDIS website, myplace portal, or with assistance from your Local Area Coordinator (LAC) or Early Childhood Partner.

Submit evidence of your disability from doctors, specialists, therapists, or other health professionals. Evidence should describe:

  • Your diagnosis or medical condition
  • How the condition affects your daily functioning
  • Expected permanence of the condition
  • Supports you currently use or need

The NDIA reviews your access request within 21 days and either approves access, requests more information, or rejects the application. If rejected, you can request internal review or appeal to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT).

NDIS Planning Process

Once approved for access, you attend a planning meeting where an NDIS planner or LAC discusses your goals, current situation, and support needs. The planner develops your NDIS plan with funded supports.

Plans are typically approved for 12-24 months, then reviewed. You can request early plan reviews if circumstances change significantly.

Accessing Aged Care

If you are 65 or over (or 50 and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people), access aged care through the My Aged Care system.

Aged Care Assessment Process

Call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 to register. A call center worker conducts an initial phone screening to determine whether you need:

  • Information and referral only (low-level support needs)
  • Regional Assessment Service (RAS) for Commonwealth Home Support Programme access
  • Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) assessment for Home Care Packages or residential care

ACAT assessments are comprehensive face-to-face evaluations by nurses or allied health professionals. The assessor visits your home, discusses your health, functioning, and support needs, and determines whether you are eligible for:

  • Support at Home (formerly Home Care Packages, Level 1 to 4)
  • Residential aged care (permanent or respite)
  • Transition Care Programme

Support at Home (formerly Home Care Packages)

The Support at Home program provides funding for support services delivered in your home. There are four levels:

  • Level 1: ~$9,000/year for basic support needs
  • Level 2: ~$16,000/year for low-level support needs
  • Level 3: ~$35,000/year for intermediate support needs
  • Level 4: ~$55,000/year for high-level support needs

You choose an approved provider who delivers services according to your care plan. Unlike NDIS, you cannot use unapproved providers or self-manage funding through direct payments.

Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP)

CHSP provides entry-level support for older people not yet needing Support at Home. Services include:

  • Domestic assistance (cleaning, laundry)
  • Personal care (showering, dressing)
  • Meals on wheels
  • Social support and transport
  • Allied health and nursing services

CHSP is not individualised funding. You receive services from CHSP-funded providers in your area, typically with subsidised fees.

Transitioning from NDIS to Aged Care

NDIS participants who transition to aged care often experience reduced support and loss of choice and control.

When Transition Occurs

You must leave NDIS and transition to aged care if you:

  • Enter residential aged care permanently for the first time after turning 65
  • Have your NDIS plan cancelled or choose to leave the scheme after 65 and then seek support (you cannot re-enter NDIS)

Most NDIS participants can remain in the scheme indefinitely after 65 if they stay in community settings (not residential aged care).

Support Level Changes

Aged care funding is generally lower than NDIS funding for people with similar needs. For example:

  • A 64-year-old with high support needs might have a $200,000 NDIS plan
  • At 66, if they transition to aged care, maximum Support at Home Level 4 funding is ~$55,000/year
  • This represents a 72% funding reduction for identical support needs

The aged care system was not designed for high-intensity disability support. It focuses on maintenance rather than capacity building and participation goals central to NDIS.

Continuity of Support Provisions

The NDIS Act includes continuity of support provisions aimed at preventing disadvantage when people transition from NDIS to aged care. In practice, these provisions have limited effect because:

  • Aged care funding caps mean people cannot receive NDIS-equivalent funding
  • Aged care does not fund capacity building or participation supports at NDIS levels
  • Specialist disability providers often do not operate in the aged care system

Advocates continue pushing for improved transition arrangements, but structural funding differences between the systems remain.

Can You Receive Both NDIS and Aged Care?

Generally, no. The systems are mutually exclusive.

Exceptions

In rare circumstances, you might receive:

  • NDIS for disability-specific supports and aged care for aging-related support needs (extremely rare, requires NDIA approval)
  • Transitional arrangements where you remain on NDIS briefly while arranging aged care supports

In practice, you will be in one system or the other, not both simultaneously.

Making the Right Choice

If you are nearing 65 and considering whether to apply for NDIS, understand the implications.

Apply Before Turning 65 If Eligible

If you have permanent disability that substantially reduces your functional capacity, apply to NDIS before your 65th birthday. Even if your support needs are currently low, NDIS access provides:

  • Continuity of support if needs increase later
  • Higher funding potential than aged care
  • Greater choice and control over supports
  • Access to capacity building and goal-focused supports

You can always leave NDIS later if you prefer aged care, but you cannot join NDIS after 65.

Aged Care May Suit Less Complex Needs

If you are over 65 with support needs primarily related to aging rather than lifelong disability, aged care may be appropriate. Benefits include:

  • Simpler access process (no disability evidence requirements)
  • Established aged care provider networks
  • Supports designed for aging-related needs like falls prevention and dementia care

FAQ

Can I apply for NDIS if I am 64 and have just developed a disability?

Yes, if the disability is permanent and significantly reduces your functional capacity. Apply immediately, as you cannot apply after turning 65. Conditions like stroke, acquired brain injury, progressive neurological conditions, and mental health conditions may qualify if they create permanent functional impact.

What happens to my NDIS plan when I turn 65?

Nothing changes automatically. You continue receiving NDIS support under your existing plan and at plan reviews. Most NDIS participants remain in the scheme indefinitely after 65, unless they permanently enter residential aged care.

Can I switch from aged care to NDIS if my needs change?

No, if you are already over 65. The NDIS age requirement applies at the time of application. If you enter aged care at 67 and your needs increase significantly, you access higher-level aged care packages, not NDIS.

I am 62 with early-onset dementia. Do I qualify for NDIS?

Likely yes, if the dementia significantly reduces your functional capacity in areas like self-care, communication, or safety. Provide medical evidence from your neurologist or geriatrician documenting the diagnosis, functional impact, and permanence of the condition.

What if I have disability and I am Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander?

If you are under 50, apply to NDIS following standard disability eligibility criteria. If you are over 50, you can access aged care but cannot apply to NDIS for the first time. However, if you joined NDIS before 50, you can continue NDIS support after 50.

Is NDIS funding higher than aged care funding?

Generally yes, particularly for people with high support needs. NDIS plans are individualized based on functional impact and goals, with no funding caps. Aged care has capped package levels and means testing that reduces available funding for people with higher assets or income.

Can I leave NDIS and go back to it later?

If you are under 65, you can leave NDIS and reapply later if your circumstances change. If you are over 65 and leave NDIS, you cannot reapply, as you no longer meet the age requirement. Think carefully before leaving NDIS after 65.

What supports are available if I am over 65 and not eligible for either system?

My Aged Care can provide referrals to low-level support services even if you do not qualify for Support at Home. The Commonwealth Home Support Programme offers subsidised services for older Australians with support needs that do not meet eligibility thresholds.

Key Resources

Understanding which system you are eligible for prevents wasted time applying to the wrong scheme. Age is the primary factor, but timing matters significantly. If you are approaching 65 with permanent disability, apply to NDIS before your birthday to secure ongoing support access.

Need help finding providers in either system? Browse Carevo’s directory for NDIS and aged care services across Australia, with detailed profiles showing which system each provider operates in.