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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 rights Care planning

Care planning

A care plan is a document that outlines your needs and goals.

Whether you are living in your home or in an aged care home, it’s your blueprint for better aged care.

A care plan contains details about your medical, social and emotional requirements and specifies how you wish your services to be delivered.

  • Aged care providers are required to work with you to develop a care plan.
  • That care plan must be reviewed every 12 months.
  • You can request a care plan review whenever your circumstances change.
  • Providers will only deliver care as it is stated in the agreed care plan.

When developing a care plan, it’s important to make your preferences clear. Provide information about any equipment you need, any services you wish to continue or any groups that you wish to remain connected with.

Information on the types of services and equipment that can be provided by your aged care service can help you make an informed choice about your care.

You can find this information in the programme manuals available under the toolkit’s Your aged care options section.

Documents and external links

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

Ongoing assessment and planning

This OPAN guide gives you steps to follow and some practical tips to help you get started with self-advocacy or speaking up. Being confident to speak up for yourself can take time. It takes planning, patience and sometimes, persistence. Download or print it for easy access.

Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) care plans

Learn about Commonwealth Home Support Programme care plans, and ongoing care discussions on the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care website.

Home Care Packages care plans

Read about care plans if you receive a Home Care Package, what they include, how to prepare one and when they should be reviewed on the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care website.

Residential Care plans

Use the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care website to learn the importance of ongoing assessment and care discussions for older people in residential aged care to ensure your care needs are being met.

Need more support?
Call 1800 700 600