Step 1: Support participants to explore their home and living options
Know what we can fund
We can fund NDIS supports to help participants explore other home and living options.
These include:
- functional capacity assessments to better understand supports needed for daily tasks
- therapy supports for capacity building to develop the skills and confidence to move and live more independently
- assistive technology to increase independence
- supports to trial another housing option
- supports to prepare participants to move out of residential aged care.
Discuss alternatives to residential aged care
Speak with the participant about their home and living goals. Together you should explore other options.
These options include the following:
Specialist housing
Designed to support people with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs. We call this specialist disability accommodation (SDA). If eligible, a participant may choose to live alone with shared onsite support. You can use our SDA finder for available SDA homes.
Supported independent living
Supports participants to live independently in their home. Includes help or supervision with daily tasks, such as personal care or cooking meals.
Individualised living options
Helps participants live in a home environment that best suits them. It’s not the home itself.
Social housing
Includes public and community housing. We don’t fund this. It’s the responsibility of state and territory governments, and community housing providers.
Private rental market
Self-funded by the participant.
Home ownership
Self-funded by the participant. There may be shared equity options available, including state and territory government initiatives.
Home modifications
Changes to a participant’s home. The modifications can support movement around the home and make daily tasks easier. These changes can be minor or complex.
Learn more about working as a home and living provider.
Speak to us
Our younger people in residential aged care (YPIRAC) team will provide advice and support.
The team will work with you and the participant to develop a plan to avoid or move out of residential aged care.
Contact our YPIRAC team by emailing [email protected] .
Step 2: Continue to support participants living in residential aged care
It’s important to continue providing support while the participant is still living in aged care. This includes planning for their transition to more suitable home and living options.
It’s also important to know who is responsible for supports while a participant is in aged care. This may be a mix of NDIS supports and those provided by the aged care facility.
The residential aged care facility provides certain supports
The facility should include:
- staff for personal care
- health practitioners who provide nursing, medical and other health services
- cleaning services
- furniture
- some basic equipment or assistive technology.
We fund supports relating to a participant’s disability
These may include:
- supports to participate in community activities, or to see friends or family
- evidence-based therapies for functional capacity
- Auslan and other disability-related interpreting or translation services
- assistive technology.
Step 3: Support younger participants at risk of entering residential aged care
Email our YPIRAC team as early as possible if you support a participant under 65 at risk of entering residential aged care. The team will work with you and the participant to work towards other home and living options.