One of the first questions families ask us is which government program they should apply to. The answer depends mostly on age and on whether the support you need relates to a permanent disability. This guide explains the two main pathways in Australia and how to take the first step.

The short answer

Under 65 with a permanent and significant disability: the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is usually the right pathway.
Aged 65 or over (50 or over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people): aged care funding through My Aged Care is usually the right pathway.

If you already have an NDIS plan when you turn 65, you can choose to stay with the NDIS or move to aged care. Nobody is moved automatically.

How NDIS access works

To access the NDIS you need to meet age and residency rules and show that your disability is permanent and significantly affects everyday life. Evidence from your GP, specialist or allied health professionals is essential. Once you are accepted, the NDIA builds a plan with funding across Core, Capacity Building and Capital supports.

You then choose providers to deliver those supports. If your plan is agency managed you must use registered providers, which is one reason we became a Registered NDIS Provider.

How aged care access works

Aged care starts with a call to My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or a referral from your GP. An assessor visits you at home to understand what help you need. Depending on the outcome you may be approved for:

Entry-level help such as cleaning, shopping or transport through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme.
Ongoing in-home care through the Support at Home program, which funds a package of services based on your assessed needs.
Residential aged care if living at home is no longer safe or practical.

What if you fall between the two?

Some people under 65 do not meet NDIS access rules but still need help at home. Others are over 65 and have a disability. In both cases an assessment is still worth doing, and community and council programs can fill gaps while an application is processed. We help families understand the options rather than leaving them to work it out alone.

Questions we hear every week

Can I have both? Not for the same support. The two schemes do not fund the same service twice, but a person can move from one to the other at 65.

How long does it take? NDIS access decisions and aged care assessments can each take several weeks, so start early and keep copies of every report.

Do I need to speak English to apply? No. Both programs offer interpreters, and our Chinese-speaking team can sit with you through the process.

Talk to us before you apply

A short conversation can save months of confusion. Avida Care supports people in Box Hill and across Melbourne’s eastern suburbs through both aged care and NDIS pathways. Call 0477 399 714 or 0421 986 841, or send us a message, and we will point you in the right direction.

Aged Care or NDIS? Which Funding Pathway Applies to You