The Australian Government provides funding for eligible older Australians to help them access the services they need to stay well and live safely at home.
You can receive different types of funding based on your needs. For basic home support you could access the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP). If you need complex or ongoing care, you may be eligible for a Home Care Package (HCP).
To see what support you could receive, you can do an aged care assessment through My Aged Care. You may be eligible if you are:
- over 65 years old
- an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person, and over 50 years old
- a person who is at risk of or experiencing homelessness, and is over 50 years old.
Here's how to apply for government funded care:
Step 1: Contact My Aged Care (MAC)
Contact My Aged Care and request an assessment by calling 1800 200 422 or completing an online form. You can also speak to your General Practitioner (GP). You can first check your eligibility using this checker.
Step 2: Complete an assessment with a My Aged Care assessor
Your assessor will work with you and your family to understand your needs and the services you would benefit from. Learn more about what you can prepare ahead of your assessment.
Step 3: Get confirmation of your eligibility
If you are eligible for CHSP or HCP, your assessor will let you know at the end of your assessment.
You will then receive a letter from My Aged Care confirming your funding, after your assessment. It will include:
- A summary of your needs and goals.
- Your allocated level of funding classification.
- Your budget and approved services that you can spend the funding on.
You then join a waitlist for your funding.
Get care while you wait
You can choose to self fund any of our aged care services, whenever you need them. To receive services privately, you do not need to do a government assessment and can start receiving care without the wait.
Find out more about your private options here. Contact our Contact Centre at 1300 650 803 or complete our enquiry form to get started.
Assessed and waiting
Options for care while you wait for your Home Care Package funding.
Choosing a provider
Whether you’re starting to consider who your aged care service provider is or are looking for a change, we can help you.
Why choose Silverchain
Why Silverchain should be your service provider.
In home aged care services
Support to maintain your health and independence, so you can keep doing the things that are important to you.
In home health care
Holistic health care and hospital level care at home.
Our aged and health care services
We have a comprehensive range of services including in home aged care and health care services.
Refer to us
Health professionals can refer patients for government funded aged care by contacting My Aged Care, or by calling 1800 200 422. You can also make an e-referral from your practice management system.
For private services, patients do not require a referral or assessment and can contact us directly. However, you can contact us on a patient’s behalf by calling 1300 300 122.
Refer to us
To receive government funded aged care, please contact My Aged Care through their online form, calling 1800 200 422. Alternatively your GP can make an e-referral.