We protect the rights and interests of people who use Australian Government-funded aged care services. We do this in line with the Charter of Aged Care Rights.
If you receive aged care services at home or live in an aged care home, you have the right to care that:
- is safe
- is high quality
- meets your needs
- helps you to live the best life you can.
It pays to be informed about these rights.
This also applies if you're considering using aged care or acting for someone who may use aged care.
Finding an aged care service
The Department of Health and Aged Care shares information on aged care services through My Aged Care.
My Aged Care has information about:
- different types of care
- getting assessed for aged care services
- finding a provider in your area that suits your needs
- managing your services.
If you need help finding a service, the My Aged Care team can support you over the phone on 1800 200 422.
Star ratings for residential services
Star ratings have been introduced for residential aged care homes across Australia.
The ratings provide information about:
- the quality of care an aged care home delivers
- how they compare to others.
They were designed to help you make more informed choices about your aged care.
Consumers and families panel
We’ve established a panel made up of people who:
- use aged care services, either at home or in a residential aged care home
- are thinking of using aged care services
- family members or supporters.
We want to know what’s important to you, whether you’re using aged care or considering it. Your feedback is valuable so we can improve how we regulate aged care.
For more information or to join our panel, visit our Consultation hub page.
About us
Our role is to check if aged care homes and services provide high-quality care.
Our staff visit homes and services to:
- talk to people receiving care to find out if they're happy with their care
- interview managers and staff at aged care services
- watch how care is provided by staff
- review evidence such as care records
- write reports on their care standard and publish them on our website.
We also:
- look into complaints about services made by people receiving care, their families and others
- make sure providers manage your fees and contributions properly, as well as the government funding they receive
- make sure that new organisations wanting to provide aged care services are suitable
- investigate serious incidents that happen in aged care services.
If a service isn't meeting the standards, we can take action.
Please contact us if you'd like more information about how we work.
Translating and interpreting services
If you need an interpreter, we can arrange one for you when you call us. You can also contact one of the services below and ask them to help you call us:
- Translating and Interpreting Service: phone 131 450
- Aboriginal Interpreter Service: phone 1800 334 944
- Aboriginal Interpreting Western Australia: phone 08 9192 3981.
