Overview
This article outlines how the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) approaches supports related to Aged Care. It provides guidance on what is and isn’t funded by the NDIS for participants who may also be accessing or transitioning to aged care services.
What is Covered?
The NDIS may fund supports that are:
- Directly related to the participant’s disability
- Considered reasonable and necessary according to NDIS guidelines
- Not the responsibility of the Aged Care system or mainstream health services
Participants Under 65:
If a participant entered residential aged care before the age of 65, the NDIS may continue to fund some supports, provided there is an agreement in place between the NDIS and the Department of Health and Aged Care.
What is Not Funded?
The NDIS does not fund any of the following aged care-related costs, which fall under the responsibilities of the Aged Care Act 1997 or the aged care system:
- ❌ Basic daily care fees
- ❌ Refundable accommodation deposits (RADs)
- ❌ Extra service fees for aged care facilities
The NDIS also does not fund:
- ❌ Daily assistance provided in aged care facilities (e.g., cleaning, cooking, laundry)
- ❌ Personal care services such as bathing, dressing, toileting in aged care
- ❌ Access to health practitioner services, clinical care, and therapies within an aged care facility
- ❌ Social, emotional support services, and entertainment provided by aged care services
Additionally:
- Palliative Care services provided by aged care or health systems are not covered by NDIS.
Related NDIS Operational Guidelines:
- The NDIS does not replace aged care responsibilities governed by the Aged Care Act 1997.
- Supports that are considered everyday living costs or general aged care supports are excluded from NDIS funding.
- See: Supports funded and not funded by the NDIS
- See: NDIS Operational Guidelines – Would We Fund It?
Key Takeaways:
- The NDIS focuses on disability-related supports, not aged care services.
- Residential aged care costs and associated supports are typically the responsibility of the aged care system.
- Participants who entered aged care before 65 may have some exceptions, based on specific agreements between agencies.