If you or someone you love is an NDIS participant nearing 65, you have probably heard that “aged care takes over” at some point. That’s not quite right, and acting on it could cost you supports you can’t get back. NDIS aged care rules give existing participants a real choice at 65, but the choice has conditions, and one wrong step can close the NDIS door for good.
This guide explains how NDIS aged care rules work in practice, what changed when the Support at Home program began, and how to decide which system suits your situation. You’ll also find a comparison table, worked examples and a checklist to take into your next planning conversation.
NDIS and Aged Care (two systems, not one)
The NDIS and aged care are separate government schemes with different purposes, rules and funding.
The NDIS funds reasonable and necessary supports related to a person’s disability. Funding goes into the participant’s plan, and the participant (or their nominee) chooses providers. Supports are not means tested, so your income and assets don’t change what you receive.
The aged care system supports older people whose needs come from ageing. You access it through My Aged Care. It pays providers directly and asks most people to contribute to costs based on their financial situation.
The two schemes meet at age 65. That’s where most NDIS aged care confusion starts, because the rules depend on when you joined the NDIS and what kind of aged care you start using.
7 essential facts about NDIS aged care rules
1. You must apply for the NDIS before you turn 65
The NDIS only accepts applications from people younger than 65 on the day they apply. If your disability started earlier but you never applied, you can’t join after your 65th birthday. From then on, aged care and mainstream health services are your options.
If you’re 63 or 64 with a disability and not yet a participant, talk to an NDIS partner or your GP soon. Gathering evidence takes time.
2. Turning 65 doesn’t remove you from the NDIS
This is the most misunderstood rule. According to the NDIS guidance on aged care, people who joined before turning 65 can remain participants afterwards. Nothing in your plan changes automatically on your birthday. Your supports, providers and plan reviews continue as before.
3. Some decisions after 65 end your NDIS participation
You’ll leave the NDIS if, after turning 65, you:
- move permanently into a residential aged care home, or
- start receiving permanent home care services through the aged care system.
These are the two triggers to watch. Because you’re over 65, you generally can’t reapply once you’ve left. Treat any move into aged care after 65 as a one-way decision.
4. You can’t use NDIS and aged care at the same time
Many families search for “NDIS aged care providers” hoping to combine both funding sources. The NDIS is clear that participants can’t access NDIS supports and aged care supports at once. You can still use a provider who delivers services under both systems, as long as only one scheme funds each service.
5. Aged care now runs through the Support at Home program
On 1 November 2025, the Support at Home program replaced Home Care Packages and Short-Term Restorative Care. The Commonwealth Home Support Program is due to move across no earlier than 1 July 2027.
Support at Home funds help at home based on an aged care assessment. Older guides that talk about “Levels 1 to 4” Home Care Packages are now out of date, so check the publication date of anything you read.
6. Aged care is means tested and the NDIS isn’t
Under Support at Home, most people pay a contribution towards some services. The amount depends on the type of service and your income, assets and pension status. NDIS participants don’t pay a contribution for funded supports.
For someone with high disability support needs, this difference can be significant. Get an estimate of aged care contributions before you decide.
7. First Nations people can access aged care from 50
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can access aged care services from age 50. That means a First Nations NDIS participant aged 50 to 64 may have aged care as an option before 65. The same “don’t double up” rule applies.
What happens to your NDIS plan when you turn 65
If you do nothing, nothing changes. Your plan continues until its reassessment date, your funded supports stay in place, and your providers keep delivering services. The NDIA won’t move you into aged care without your agreement.
What does change is the long-term picture. Your needs may now come from both disability and ageing, and your planner may ask which one is driving a new request. For example, if you ask for more personal care, expect questions about whether the increase relates to your disability. Bring evidence from your GP, specialist or allied health team that links the need to your disability. This is one of the most practical NDIS aged care tips we can offer: keep your reports up to date.
If you decide aged care suits you better, you’ll need an aged care assessment arranged through My Aged Care [VERIFY]. You’ll also need to tell the NDIA in writing that you want to leave. Time the two steps carefully so you aren’t left without support between them.
NDIS vs Aged Care side-by-side comparison
| Feature | NDIS | Aged care (Support at Home) |
|---|---|---|
| Who it’s for | People with a permanent and significant disability who applied before 65 | Older people with ageing-related care needs (65+, or 50+ for First Nations people) |
| How you get in | NDIS application and access decision | Aged care assessment via My Aged Care |
| Means tested | No | Yes, contributions vary by service type and means |
| Focus | Disability-related goals, capacity building, community participation | Staying safe and independent at home as you age |
| Who holds funding | Participant’s plan (agency, plan or self-managed) | Paid to your chosen registered provider |
| Can you return later? | Not if you leave after 65 | Yes, aged care remains available |
How to decide: NDIS or aged care after 65
There is no single right answer. The better system depends on why you need support and how your needs are likely to change.
Staying on the NDIS often suits people who:
- have high disability-related support needs that the NDIS already funds well
- rely on capacity building, therapy or community participation supports
- want to keep a support team they trust
- would face significant contributions under aged care
Moving to aged care may suit people who:
- now need help mainly because of ageing rather than their disability
- plan to move into residential aged care permanently
- have modest support needs that Support at Home can meet
- find NDIS plan management harder to handle as they get older
Three examples to make it practical
These are illustrative scenarios, not real participants.
Example 1: Margaret, 66, Parramatta. Margaret has multiple sclerosis. Her NDIS plan covers daily personal care, a weekly physiotherapy block and transport to a social group. Her daughter assumed aged care would “kick in” at 65. After comparing the two systems, they realised aged care contributions would cost her more for less tailored support. She stayed on the NDIS. When her mobility changed, they asked for a plan reassessment rather than switching systems.
Example 2: Tony, 71, Western Sydney. Tony has a long-standing intellectual disability and has lived at home with his brother. His brother is now unwell, and Tony’s health needs have grown. The family chose a residential aged care home near relatives. They knew this would end his NDIS participation. So before the move, they confirmed the home could meet his disability-related needs and arranged a handover with his support workers.
Example 3: Sam, 64, Blacktown. Sam acquired a brain injury after a stroke at 62 but never applied for the NDIS. His family realised in time that he had to apply before his 65th birthday. With reports from his neurologist and occupational therapist, he lodged an application at 64. Had he waited a few more months, aged care would have been his only option, whatever the cause of his disability.
NDIS aged care for people under 65 in aged care homes
Some younger participants already live in residential aged care, often because no suitable disability housing was available when they needed it. The NDIA has committed to ensuring no participant under 65 lives in residential aged care unless there are exceptional circumstances or it is their genuine choice.
If this applies to your family member, they can stay where they are if they want to. They can also ask for help to explore other housing options, such as supported independent living. Be aware that NDIS funding can’t pay some aged care costs, so check who pays for what.
Your 65th birthday planning checklist
Work through this NDIS aged care checklist in the year before, or soon after, a participant turns 65:
- Confirm participant status. Make sure the NDIS access decision was made before age 65.
- List current supports and costs. Note what’s funded, how often and by whom.
- Explore My Aged Care early. The NDIS suggests looking at aged care options before turning 65 so you understand them before you need them.
- Ask for a contribution estimate. Find out what you’d pay under Support at Home.
- Check provider registration. Confirm whether each provider is registered for the NDIS, aged care or both.
- Talk to your support coordinator or planner. Ask how a change in needs would be handled within your current plan.
- Put your decision in writing. If you choose to leave, the NDIS needs written notice. If you stay, keep a note of the date you confirmed it.
- Review again when things change. A hospital stay, a new diagnosis or a change in carer arrangements is a good time to revisit the decision.
Common mistakes to avoid
These are the NDIS aged care mistakes that most often leave families with fewer options.
Assuming the switch is automatic. It isn’t. If you’re happy with your NDIS supports, you don’t need to do anything at 65.
Signing an aged care agreement without checking the impact. A permanent home care agreement after 65 can end NDIS participation. Read it carefully and ask questions first.
Treating respite and permanent care as the same. Short stays are treated differently from a permanent move. Confirm with the NDIA before booking any aged care stay, so there are no surprises.
Using outdated information. Aged care changed significantly in late 2025. Our guide to the NDIS changes for 2026 also covers updates on the disability side.
Waiting until a crisis. Decisions made in hospital or after a carer becomes unwell are often rushed. Planning ahead gives you options.
Questions to ask the NDIA and My Aged Care
A short phone call can save months of stress. Before you ring, have the participant’s NDIS number, plan dates and current supports in front of you. Then ask:
- To the NDIA: “If I start using this aged care service, will it end my NDIS participation?” and “How do I request a plan reassessment if my needs increase?”
- To My Aged Care: “What assessment would I need, and how long does it take?” and “What would my contribution be for the services I’m likely to use?”
Write down the date, the name of the person you spoke to and what they said. If you get conflicting answers, ask for the information in writing before acting on it.
Choosing NDIS aged care providers
If you’re comparing providers that support older people on either scheme, ask:
- Are you registered with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, the aged care regulator, or both?
- Can your staff support both disability-related and age-related needs, such as falls risk or wound care?
- Will I keep the same support workers if my needs grow?
- How do you handle nursing tasks your support workers can’t do?
- How will you communicate with my family, GP and other providers?
A provider’s answers will tell you a lot about how they manage complex care. Good NDIS and aged care providers will also be upfront about what they can’t do, and refer you on when needed. Whatever your situation, a clear answer about registration should come first.
How Proteam Care Group can help
Proteam Care Group supports Sydney participants and families making NDIS aged care decisions in three ways:
- Our NDIS and disability support services continue for participants who choose to stay on the NDIS after 65.
- Our nursing agency services support older people and aged care settings that need qualified nurses.
- Our private personal care services offer flexible in-home support for people who want extra help outside government funding.
This article provides general information only. NDIS and aged care rules change, so confirm your situation with the NDIA or My Aged Care before making a decision.
Unsure which path suits you? Contact Proteam Care Group for a friendly, no-pressure conversation about your NDIS aged care options.
