The aged care system runs on acronyms and technical terms that nobody explains. This glossary explains the ones you're most likely to meet, in plain English.
By Steve Hadfield, AgedCareActionPlan.au · Last updated: October 2026 · 29 terms
29 terms
The teams that used to assess people for aged care. Since 9 December 2024, the government's aged care assessors (the Single Assessment System) do this work. Many people still call the assessment an ACAT assessment.
The federal regulator of aged care — responsible for auditing providers, investigating complaints, and taking enforcement action against providers who fail to meet quality standards. Complaints: 1800 951 822.
The package of changes to Australia's aged care system introduced through the Aged Care Act 2024, commencing 1 November 2025.
A legal document where a person records their wishes about future medical treatment in case they lose capacity to make decisions. Rules vary by state.
The legislation that replaced the old Aged Care Act 1997, introducing the new Support at Home program, a Statement of Rights, and stronger regulation of providers.
The funding model for residential aged care — replaces the old ACFI system. Funding is allocated based on a resident's assessed care needs using the AN-ACC classification tool.
Separate funding within the Support at Home program for equipment (like wheelchairs or shower chairs) and home modifications (like grab rails or ramps) — comes from a different budget to regular care services.
The daily fee everyone living in an aged care home pays for everyday living costs, such as meals, cleaning, laundry and utilities. The most it can be is 85% of the single basic Age Pension. It goes up each March and September with the pension.
Under Support at Home, 10% of each quarterly budget is set aside for care management: the provider's work planning, coordinating and reviewing care. It's a fixed deduction, not a rate the provider sets, and it applies to everyone with an ongoing classification, including people who self-manage. Statements show care management in hours, not dollars. There's no contribution (co-payment) for care management.
Basic help at home, funded by the government, such as cleaning, meals, transport and personal care. Providers may ask you to pay something towards it. You need to register with My Aged Care and have an assessment first. CHSP carries on alongside Support at Home, and the government is extending its funding to 30 June 2029. If you already get CHSP, you can usually keep it while you wait for Support at Home.
Your Support at Home level, from 1 to 8. It is worked out from your assessment, and your assessment outcome letter, called a Notice of Decision, shows it. Each level has its own quarterly budget.
The part of your Support at Home service costs that you pay yourself. Its official name is a participant contribution. Your rate depends on your pension status, income and assets. There is no contribution for clinical supports, such as nursing. Most people pay a contribution for independence services, such as equipment, and for everyday living services, such as cleaning and gardening. Rates are highest for everyday living services. From 1 October 2026, you pay no contribution for approved personal care, such as help with showering. Its cost still comes out of your Support at Home budget.
The ongoing daily fee option for residential aged care accommodation — an alternative to paying the RAD (lump sum). DAP is calculated as a percentage of the RAD.
Legal authority for someone to make personal and lifestyle decisions (not financial) on behalf of a person who has lost capacity. Called different things in different states — in NSW it's an Enduring Guardianship, in VIC an Enduring Power of Attorney (personal).
The former name for government-funded home care packages (Levels 1–4), replaced by the Support at Home program from 1 November 2025. Still referred to as HCP in older documents and by some providers.
The set of questions an aged care assessor works through at your assessment. What the assessor records helps set your Support at Home classification level, if that is what you are assessed for. It has 13 sections, covering things like daily tasks, health, memory, mood, social life and safety at home.
The financial assessment done by Services Australia to determine how much a residential aged care resident pays toward their accommodation and care costs, based on income and assets.
The interest rate used to calculate the daily accommodation payment (DAP) equivalent of a refundable accommodation deposit (RAD) in residential care. Set by the government.
The Australian Government's central entry point for aged care — the website and phone service (1800 200 422) where you register, request assessments, and find providers.
The government scheme for people under 65 with permanent and significant disability — separate from the aged care system. People over 65 generally access aged care services rather than NDIS.
A free, independent advocacy service for people receiving aged care — they can attend meetings with providers on your behalf, help with complaints, and explain your rights. Phone: 1800 700 600.
A legal document giving another person authority to make decisions on your behalf — financial, personal, or both. An Enduring POA continues to apply if the person loses mental capacity.
A lump sum payment for accommodation in residential aged care — fully refundable when the resident leaves (minus any agreed deductions). An alternative to paying the DAP daily fee.
The service that used to assess people for basic help at home through CHSP. Since 9 December 2024, the government's aged care assessors (the Single Assessment System) do this work.
The scheme that makes providers report serious incidents, such as abuse, neglect or an unexpected death, to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission. Since 1 December 2022, it has covered care at home as well as aged care homes.
The publicly available rating system for residential aged care homes — 1 to 5 stars — based on compliance, staffing levels, resident experience surveys, and quality indicators. Available at My Aged Care.
The formal statement of rights for people receiving aged care under the Aged Care Act 2024 — covering dignity, decision-making, safety, complaints, and cultural identity. Providers must act consistently with it.
The home care program that started on 1 November 2025. It replaced Home Care Packages and Short-Term Restorative Care. CHSP carries on separately for now. Support at Home has 8 ongoing classification levels, each with its own quarterly budget. Equipment and home changes are funded separately (AT-HM). 10% of each quarterly budget is set aside for care management.
Short-term support (up to 12 weeks) after a hospital stay for older Australians — providing nursing, allied health, and personal care while they recover. Must be arranged before hospital discharge.
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