News
29 May, 2025
Young Aussies still in aged care
New data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare shows 81 people under the age of 65 entered aged care in the last quarter of 2024, and there were still 1,287 younger people stuck in aged care.
Head of Policy, Communications and Systems Change at the Summer Foundation, Jessica Walker, said the data showed the downward trend in the number of younger people with disability entering residential aged care had slowed considerably in recent quarters.
“The implementation of the Aged Care Act in July this year will mean people under 65 will not be able to access residential aged care,” she said. “But we remain concerned about a loophole which may allow younger people with disability to unnecessarily enter aged care if they are deemed at risk of homelessness.”
The Australian Parliament passed the Aged Care Act 2024 as the new law for government-funded aged care in Australia on 25 November 2024. The new Act will start from 1 July 2025, with key changes including:
People under the age of 65 years can only access Australian Government-funded aged care services if they have care needs and are: an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person aged 50 years or over; homeless or at risk of homelessness and aged 50 years or over; already living in an aged care home or accessing aged care services.
Information of a kind prescribed by the rules has been provided relating to the individual’s care needs; and
If the individual is aged less than 65, the individual: has elected, in the approved form, to be provided with funded aged care services before the individual turns 65; and was informed, prior to making the election, of any other services that may be available to meet the care needs of the individual.
“This situation is not good enough. It is a national shame that younger people with disability are still being placed in aged care facilities meant for the final chapters of life, not a life still full of potential.”
More information about the Aged Care Act and its reforms at www.health.gov.au/our-work/aged-care-act/about
