Skip to content
Language
española
عربى
Italiana
Ελληνικά
தமிழ்
Tiếng Việt
हिन्दी
русский
中文
中文 (Taiwan)
한국어
Српски
Hrvatski
English

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

Notice: We’re updating this website to reflect changes under the new Aged Care Act, commencing 1 November 2025

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 Aged care costs Financial hardship

Financial hardship

If you can’t afford your aged care costs, you can apply for financial hardship assistance through Services Australia, who will determine your eligibility. Financial hardship assistance applies for a finite period, and Services Australia will write to you and your service provider to tell you how long it will last. If you need ongoing help, be sure to lodge a new claim before your current assistance ends.

Financial hardship explained

With many older people concerned about the cost of care following the introduction of the new Aged Care Act, financial advocacy officers from OPAN’s national network explain what you may need if you find yourself needing your fees reduced

Documents and external links

Learn more about financial hardship. These documents and websites offer help, strategies, and practical information. Brief descriptions are provided for each document or link.

Services Australia financial hardship assistance

Learn about financial hardship assistance eligibility, length of assistance and the steps to claim assistance.

My Aged Care financial hardship assistance

Financial hardship assistance can help you, if for reasons beyond your control, you can’t afford your aged care costs. Read about eligibility criteria and the assessment process on the My Aged Care website.

Need more support?
Call 1800 700 600