Aged Care Resources
As we age, finding the right care and support becomes increasingly important to maintaining our health, wellbeing, independence, and quality of life.
Navigating the aged care system can sometimes feel complex, but understanding your options is an important first step. The information below will help connect you with trusted services, guidance, and support to ensure you can access the care that best meets your needs, goals, and circumstances.
Emergency contacts
In Queensland, if you need emergency housing or are facing homelessness, the Homeless Hotline (1800 474 753) is your first point of contact.
This free, 24/7 hotline provides information and support for those experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless.
Key Support Contact Numbers:
- Homeless Hotline: 1800 474 753 (free, 24/7).
- 13 QGOV: 13 74 68 (for general emergency housing).
- DVConnect: 1800 811 811
For those experiencing domestic and family violence, DVConnect provides support and can help connect individuals with safe accommodation. - Vinnies (St. Vincent de Paul): Offers family accommodation support and can be reached at 1800 846 643.
- Anglicare: Provides emergency housing services and can be contacted at 1300 769 814.
- Ask Izzy: A website and app that can help you find nearby shelters and other essential services.
- Community Recovery Hotline: 1800 173 349 for support during and after a disaster.
In an emergency situation, please call 000.
If you need some help around the house or think it’s time to look into aged care homes, My Aged Care can help.
Getting started with My Aged Care can be done in four easy steps:
Step 1. Learn about different types of care
If you are just starting out on your aged care journey, this is your first step.
You can see what services are available to help you stay in your own home, or what to expect in an aged care home.
Step 2. Get assessed for aged care services
If you’ve had a look at what services might be available and you want to know if you are eligible, this is your next step.
Read about how to apply and what’s involved in the assessment process.
Step 3. Find a provider in your area who suits your needs
Once you’ve been assessed and are ready to find a provider and set up your new services, start here.
Find out what to consider and get information about service providers near you.
Step 4. Manage your services
If you are receiving services and want to check what you’ve got in place or make some changes, head to this section.
Carers Gateway is an Australian Government program providing free services and support for carers.
If you care for a family member or friend with disability, a medical condition, mental illness, or who is frail due to age, then Carer Gateway can help you.
The Australian Government works with a range of health and carer organisations across Australia, known as Carer Gateway service providers, to deliver services to carers no matter where they live in Australia.
Carer Gateway provides many services to support carers in their caring role, including:
access to emergency respite if you suddenly find you can’t provide care, for example if you become ill or injured.
in-person and online peer support groups
tailored support packages to help with accessing planned respite, transport services, and more
in-person and phone counselling
in-person and online self-guided coaching
online skills courses to support your wellbeing and understanding of legal responsibilities relating to the caring role
Across Australia, there’s a network of independent non-profit organisations giving a voice to older people at every stage of their aged care experience.
Nationally, these organisations come together as members of the Older Persons Advocacy Network, funded by the Australian Government Department of Health, to deliver the National Aged Care Advocacy Program. Our network members provide free, confidential, and independent support to older people seeking or receiving government-funded aged care services, their families, and representatives across Australia.
Together, we help older people understand and exercise their aged care rights, seek aged care services that suit their needs and find solutions to issues they may be experiencing with their aged care provider.
At a national level, we raise the voices of older people with governments, aged care providers and sector stakeholders to advance aged care reforms so that older people have a better aged care experience. We write submissions to Royal Commissions, Senate and parliamentary inquiries, participate in consultations and forums, develop responses to government policies and oversee our network to ensure national consistency in what we do. Browse our positions statements and submissions at our Publications page.
Aged and Disability Advocacy Australia (ADA Australia) is a not-for-profit, independent, community based advocacy and education service with 30 years’ experience in supporting and improving the well being of older people and people with disability.
Headquartered in Brisbane they provide advocacy services to older people and people with disability in metropolitan, regional, rural and remote communities across Queensland.
Our services are free, confidential and client focused.
COTA Australia’s role is to promote, improve and protect the wellbeing of older people in Australia as citizens and consumers. It seeks to be recognised by government, the general community and media as representing, advocating for and serving all older Australians.
COTA Australia promotes the interests of Australians as we age at the highest level of government and key national organisations.
See a full list of bodies on which COTA Australia is represented here.
Need more support?
Our HOWSS team is here to help you work through any of these options – call, email or drop in and we’ll point you in the right direction.
