Residential aged care is not usually considered suitable for younger people to live, because it is designed for the needs of older people.
Under the Aged Care Act 2024, individuals under 65 years of age are not eligible for aged care assessments. The only exceptions to this rule are:
- Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years and over, and
- People aged 50 years and over who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
If you are a younger person living in residential care and wish to find alternative accommodation, there are supports available to help you via the links below.
People with disability who need someone to speak up for them can use Ask Izzy to search for independent Disability Advocacy providers in their area.
Documents and external links
Learn more about younger people in residential aged care. These documents and websites offer help, strategies, and practical information. Brief descriptions are provided for each document or link.
The Commission’s role in supporting younger people in aged care
Information about younger people in aged care, including the role of the Commission in the Aged Care Quality Standards and how to make a complaint.
Support for younger people in, or at risk of entering, residential aged care
Information about the support available for younger people under 65 living in, or at risk of entering, residential aged care from the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website.
Younger people and the NDIS
Learn more about the NDIS and how it supports younger people to access services from the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website.
