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Call the Aged Care Advocacy Line, our national team of advocates is available Monday to Friday 8am–8pm and Saturday 10am-4pm 

Self-advocacy toolkit

What you need to know for better aged care

Self-advocacy or speaking up means having the right information to get the care and support you need. Explore the topics below to start.

Home Self-advocacy toolkit Your aged care options Short-term and flexible care options

Short-term and flexible care options

The Short-Term Restorative Care Programme (STRC) is available to older people who have had a setback or decline in function at home. (Transition care applies when you are recovering from a hospital stay). STRC is an eight-week package of services to improve the person’s wellbeing and ability to manage at home.

Another form of short-term care is respite care. Respite care provides support for carers. It can be accessed in your home, out in the community, or in an aged care home. For emergency respite care, contact Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737. You have the same rights in respite care as you do in other aged care services.

Flexible care offers an alternative approach to mainstream home and residential care services.

The Multi-Purpose Services (MPS) Programme provides integrated health and aged care services in small rural and remote communities.

The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care Programme (NATSIFAC) provides culturally appropriate residential and home care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in rural and remote areas. My Aged Care, Regional Assessment Services, GPs, Aged Care Assessment Teams, social workers, hospitals and community health workers can refer you.

Documents and external links

Learn more about short-term and flexible care options. These documents and websites offer help, strategies, and practical information. Brief descriptions are provided for each document or link.

Short-Term Restorative Care information

Visit the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care website to learn about The Short-Term Restorative Care Programme eligibility, cost and services information.

Short-Term Restorative Care Programme manual

Download the manual from the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care detailing service delivery under the Short-Term Restorative Care Programme.

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care Program

Learn more about this culturally appropriate and safe care program for older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Australian Department of Health and Aged Care.

Respite care information

View the page from My Aged Care to understand how you can receive respite care and learn about the different types of care available.

About the Multi-Purpose Services (MPS) Program

The Australian Department of Health and Aged Care website details the MPS program for older people in regional and remote communities.

Need more support?
Call 1800 700 600