Australia's population is ageing rapidly — by 2050, approximately one in four Australians will be over 65. Supporting older Australians to age with dignity, safety, and connection requires sustained investment across residential care, home care, health, community participation, and prevention. Understanding the funding landscape for aged care services matters for providers, community organisations, researchers, and funders.
The Royal Commission context
The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety (2018-2021) documented systemic failures in Australia's residential aged care system — substandard care, abuse, poor food, insufficient staffing. The Commission's final report led to significant reforms and increased investment.
Aged care funding streams
Australia's aged care system is primarily government-funded:
- Residential aged care: subsidised residential care for older people who can no longer live independently
- Home care packages: government-funded support enabling older people to live at home
- Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP): entry-level support for older people with lower needs
- Short-Term Restorative Care: time-limited intensive support to maintain independence
My Aged Care
My Aged Care is the federal government's aged care assessment and information gateway — all government-funded aged care is accessed through this system.
Residential aged care subsidies
The federal government subsidises residential aged care:
- Basic daily fee subsidy per resident
- Additional care supplement for higher-needs residents
- Hardship supplements
Home Care Packages (HCP)
Government-funded packages of care and services to help older people remain at home:
- Four package levels (1-4) based on assessed need
- Consumer-directed care model — older people choose their services and provider
- Administered through approved home care providers
Commonwealth Home Support Programme
Entry-level support services:
- Domestic assistance, meals, personal care, transport, social support
- Delivered through approved service providers
- Lower-cost, lower-needs services
Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission
The ACQSC regulates aged care providers — setting and enforcing quality standards. Not a funding body, but compliance with standards affects provider registration and funding.
Aged care is primarily government-funded — philanthropy plays a supplementary role for:
- Services not covered by government programmes (companionship, social activities)
- Innovation and research
- Specific population needs (culturally and linguistically diverse older people)
- Elder abuse prevention and response
- Dementia support beyond government entitlement
Key philanthropic funders
The Dementia Australia Research Foundation
Funds dementia research — basic science, clinical trials, and care research.
Alzheimer's Research Foundation and state equivalents
Alzheimer's research funding — philanthropy supplementing NHMRC government research funding.
Benevolent Society
One of Australia's oldest charities — direct aged care services and some philanthropic activity.
State community foundations
Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation, Sydney Community Foundation, and state equivalents fund community aged care programmes.
Gaming trusts (for NSW/VIC/QLD-registered organisations)
Some gaming trust funding available for community aged care programmes.
Corporate philanthropy
Banks, supermarkets, and other corporations fund aged care initiatives — often through corporate foundation grants or workplace fundraising.
Dementia support
Social isolation and connection
Elder abuse prevention
Elder abuse — financial, physical, psychological, sexual abuse of older people, often by family members — is significantly underreported:
- Awareness and education campaigns
- Legal assistance for victims
- Support services for victims
- Training for health and aged care professionals
Culturally specific aged care
Older Australians from CALD backgrounds have specific needs:
- Services in language
- Culturally appropriate food, social activities, religious practice
- Staff who understand cultural context
- Community-based aged care accessible to specific communities
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander aged care
First Nations older people:
- Significant health burden (ageing earlier due to poorer health outcomes)
- Preference to remain on Country
- Community-controlled aged care organisations
- Cultural safety requirements
- Aged care services on remote communities
Palliative care support
End-of-life care — complementing medical palliative care with:
- Community education on death and dying
- Volunteer-based companionship at end of life
- Family and carer support during palliative period
- Grief and bereavement programmes
Technology and innovation
Assistive technology, telehealth, and social technology for older people:
- Telehealth for rural older Australians
- Smart home technology for safety monitoring
- Social technology (video calls, digital skills)
Aged care workforce development is a critical issue — workforce shortages affect care quality:
- Grant funding for workforce training and development
- Scholarship programmes for aged care workers
- Leadership development in the aged care sector
- Wage advocacy (aged care has historically been low-paid relative to skill requirements)
Quality and safety framing
Post-Royal Commission, all aged care funding is considered through a quality and safety lens. Grant applications should demonstrate compliance with Aged Care Quality Standards and any applicable regulatory requirements.
Unmet need
Articulate the gap between government-funded services and what older people actually need — showing philanthropy fills a genuine supplementary role, not duplicating government.
Person-centred approach
Modern aged care philosophy centres the older person's preferences, dignity, and autonomy. Applications should demonstrate person-centred practice — asking "what matters to you" rather than imposing a service model.
Carer support
Many older Australians are supported by family carers — unpaid carers who are themselves often under significant stress. Programmes that support carers alongside the older person are highly valued.
Tahua's grants management platform supports aged care organisations and funders — with programme outcome tracking, participant data management, carer support monitoring, and the tools that help aged care providers demonstrate quality and impact across government-funded and philanthropic programmes.