Words explained

Aged care uses a lot of special words. Here they are in plain English.

Assessment: A meeting where a trained assessor works out what help you need. It is usually in your home.
Care management: Help to understand and manage your care. 10% of your budget goes to this.
Care plan: A plan you make with your provider about your needs and goals.
CHSP: The Commonwealth Home Support Program. It gives a little help at home. It is still running.
Classification (level): Your funding level. There are 8 levels for ongoing help.
Clinical supports: Health care, like nursing and therapy. You don’t pay for these.
Contribution: The part of the cost that you pay.
Everyday living: Help like cleaning, gardening and meals. You pay the most for these.
Home Care Packages: The old program. Support at Home replaced it on 1 November 2025.
Income and assets assessment: How Services Australia works out what you pay.
Independence services: Help like transport and respite. You pay a middle amount.
Lifetime cap: The most you pay in contributions over your whole life.
My Aged Care: The government’s starting point for aged care. Call 1800 200 422.
Notice of Decision: The letter that tells you the result of your assessment.
OPAN: Older Persons Advocacy Network. Free, independent advocates. Call 1800 700 600.
Priority: How urgently you need help. It affects how long you wait.
Provider: The organisation that gives you the help.
Referral code: A number in your letter. You give it to your provider so they can start.
Registered supporter: Someone you trust who can help you make decisions and talk to My Aged Care.
Respite care: Short-term care that gives you and your carer a break. It can be for a few hours, days or weeks. It can be at home, in the community or in an aged care home. Emergency respite: call Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737.
Service agreement: A legal document with your provider. It says what help you get and what it costs.
Support at Home: The government program that helps older people stay at home. It started 1 November 2025.
Support Plan: A record of what you and the assessor agreed: your needs, goals and the help you need.

Source: My Aged Care; My Aged Care; My Aged Care; Department of Health, Disability and Ageing; My Aged Care (checked 25 Oct 2026)

Need help with your own situation?

My Aged Care (Australian Government)
Mon to Fri 8am to 8pm. Sat 10am to 2pm.

Call 1800 200 422

OPAN free, independent advocates
Mon to Fri 8am to 8pm. Sat 10am to 4pm.

Call 1800 700 600

In an emergency, call 000. Worried about abuse? See urgent help.

Where this information comes from

My Aged Care: Respite care
https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/respite-care
Last checked 25 Oct 2026.
Department of Health, Disability and Ageing: About Support at Home
https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/support-at-home/about
Last checked 25 Oct 2026.
My Aged Care: Support at Home costs and contributions
https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/support-at-home-costs-and-contributions
Last checked 25 Oct 2026.
Department of Health, Disability and Ageing: Support at Home participant contributions
https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/support-at-home/charging-for-support-at-home-services/support-at-home-participant-contributions
Last checked 25 Oct 2026.
My Aged Care: Assessment outcome: Support at Home
https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/assessment-outcome-support-at-home
Last checked 25 Oct 2026.
My Aged Care: Connecting with Support at Home providers
https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/connecting-support-at-home-providers
Last checked 25 Oct 2026.
My Aged Care: How the assessment process works
https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/how-get-assessed/how-assessment-process-works
Last checked 25 Oct 2026.
My Aged Care: Apply for an assessment online
https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/apply-online
Last checked 25 Oct 2026.
Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN): Contact us
https://opan.org.au/contact-us/
Last checked 25 Oct 2026.
My Aged Care: How to contact My Aged Care
https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/how-to-contact-my-aged-care
Last checked 25 Oct 2026.