If you or a loved one needs support at home, you may easily be confused about the two major funding systems in Australia: the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and Aged Care. But the difference is simple. The NDIS supports people under 65 living with a permanent disability, while Aged Care supports people aged 65 and over who need help due to ageing. Which system you qualify for comes down to three key factors: your age, the nature of your support needs, and how the funding is structured. We will break down the differences in eligibility, funding, and service types so it’s easy to understand and you can confidently choose the right path.
Not sure which suits your situation? Contact Perth Care Partners for a friendly, no-obligation chat about your options.
NDIS vs Aged Care
| Feature | NDIS | Aged Care |
|---|---|---|
| Age requirement | Under 65 at time of entry | 65 and over (50+ for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) |
| Primary purpose | Support for permanent, significant disability | Support related to ageing and reduced independence |
| Funding body | National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) | Australian Government (My Aged Care) |
| Focus | Building capacity and independence | Maintaining quality of life and safety |
| Cost | Fully funded based on approved plan | Often income-tested with co-contributions |
What Is the NDIS?
The National Disability Insurance Scheme is a Federal Government program designed to fund support for Australians living with a permanent and significant disability. Its goal is not just care, but capacity building: helping participants gain skills, independence, and greater community participation.
The NDIS is centred on the individual. Each participant works with the NDIA to create a personalised plan, with funding allocated across categories such as daily living support, therapy, assistive technology, and social participation.
Who Qualifies for the NDIS?
To be eligible for the NDIS, you generally must:
- Be aged under 65 when you first apply.
- Be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or hold an eligible visa.
- Have a permanent and significant disability that affects your ability to complete everyday activities.
- Demonstrate that you require support to participate in daily life now, or to prevent future decline.
Importantly, if you enter the NDIS before turning 65, you can generally choose to remain on the scheme after that age rather than moving into Aged Care.
What Is Aged Care?
Aged Care refers to government-supported services that help older Australians live safely and comfortably, whether at home or in a residential setting. Unlike the NDIS, Aged Care is focused on age-related decline rather than disability from birth or earlier in life.
The most common entry point is My Aged Care, the government gateway that assesses your needs and connects you to services. These can range from occasional help with cleaning and cooking to comprehensive nursing and palliative care.
Who Qualifies for Aged Care?
You may be eligible for government-funded Aged Care if you:
- Are aged 65 or over (or 50 and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people).
- Are finding everyday tasks harder due to ageing, illness, or reduced mobility.
- Have been assessed by an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) or Regional Assessment Service.
Aged Care includes several programs, such as the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) for entry-level help and Support at Home for more coordinated, higher-level support at home.
Comparing Funding: How Funding Works
Funding is one of the biggest practical differences between the two systems.
NDIS funding is allocated according to what is “reasonable and necessary” to meet your disability-related goals. Participants typically do not contribute financially, and funds can be self-managed, plan-managed, or agency-managed depending on how much control you want.
Aged Care funding often involves co-contributions. The government subsidises the majority of the cost, but you may be asked to pay a fee based on an income and assets assessment. This means two people receiving similar services may pay different amounts.
In short: the NDIS is goal- and capacity-driven, while Aged Care is need- and means-tested.
Comparing Service Types
Both systems can deliver support in your own home, which is where Perth Care Partners focuses much of our work across Perth and surrounding communities. However, the intent behind the services differs.
NDIS services often include:
- Personal care and daily living assistance.
- Support coordination and capacity building.
- Therapy and allied health.
- Assistive technology and home modifications.
- Community and social participation.
Aged Care services often include:
- In-home support such as cleaning, meals, and transport.
- Personal and nursing care.
- Dementia support, including for Alzheimer’s and related conditions.
- Palliative care and support for stroke or Parkinson’s recovery.
- Hospital to home transition care.
At Perth Care Partners, we deliver both NDIS and Aged Care support, meaning families can access consistent, familiar care even as needs evolve.
Which One Do You Qualify For?
The simplest way to determine your pathway is to start with age:
- Under 65 with a permanent disability? The NDIS is likely your first port of call.
- 65 or over and needing help due to ageing? Aged Care through My Aged Care is generally the right pathway.
- Approaching 65 and already on the NDIS? You can usually choose to stay with the NDIS rather than transition to Aged Care.
There are grey areas, particularly for those with disabilities that emerge later in life. This is where personalised advice makes all the difference.
Get Personalised Guidance from Perth Care Partners
Navigating eligibility, assessments, and funding can feel overwhelming, but you do not have to do it alone. As a trusted local provider of both aged and disability care, Perth Care Partners has helped countless Western Australian families find the right support system for their circumstances.
Whether you need hospital to home care, NDIS support, dementia care, or palliative services, our team can explain your options in plain language and help you take the next step.
Ready to find the right care pathway? Speak with Perth Care Partners today and let us guide you through NDIS and Aged Care with clarity and compassion.
