If you or a loved one is approaching 65, you may be wondering what happens to your NDIS funding and disability supports.
Do you automatically leave the NDIS at 65? Will your funding stop? Do you need to find a new disability support provider? Or do you need to move across to My Aged Care?
The good news is that turning 65 does not automatically mean your NDIS support ends.
Understanding these options early can help you make an informed decision about your care, independence and future.
Can you stay on the NDIS after turning 65?
Yes.
If you became an NDIS participant before turning 65, you can continue receiving NDIS supports after your 65th birthday. Simply having a birthday does not mean you need to change your NDIS provider, support workers or living arrangements.
If your existing supports continue to meet your needs, you may choose to remain within the NDIS. Alternatively, you have the option to transition to support through Australia’s aged care system.
However, the rules are different if you are not already an NDIS participant when you turn 65.
Do you need to change the NDIS support you receive on turning 65?
No.
Turning 65 does not automatically mean you need to change disability support providers.
If you remain an NDIS participant, you can continue to use NDIS-funded supports in line with your plan.
For example, an older NDIS participant receiving Supported Independent Living (SIL) through For Care does not automatically need to leave their home or change providers because they turn 65.
Your NDIS plan will continue to focus on your disability-related needs and goals.
Of course, our needs can change as we age. Therefore, it can be useful to review your supports and consider whether they still work well for you.
The key distinction is between disability-related needs and ageing-related care needs.
What is the difference between NDIS and aged care?
Although there can be similarities between the services people receive, the NDIS and aged care systems have different purposes.
The NDIS supports eligible Australians with permanent and significant disability. Its goal is to help participants increase their independence, participate in their communities and pursue their individual goals.
Aged care, on the other hand, supports older Australians with needs related to ageing.
Depending on your circumstances, aged care can provide assistance with personal care, household tasks, meals, transport, nursing and other services that help you remain independent.
For this reason, reaching 65 can be a good opportunity to explore both systems and understand which one is better suited to your ongoing needs.
Can you apply for the NDIS after turning 65?
No. You must be younger than 65 on the day you apply to become an NDIS participant.
This means someone who develops a disability or begins requiring additional support after turning 65 cannot make a new application to the NDIS.
Instead, they may be able to access government-funded support through Australia’s aged care system.
For many people, the first step is contacting My Aged Care and completing an assessment. This assessment looks at your circumstances, goals and the help you may need to remain safe and independent.
What aged care support is available after 65?
Australia’s aged care system provides several forms of support. The right option will depend on your circumstances and assessed needs.
For people who want to remain living independently at home, two important programs are the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) and Support at Home.
CHSP can provide entry-level assistance for older people who need some support with everyday activities.
For people with more complex or intensive needs, the Support at Home program provides coordinated in-home aged care.
Support at Home replaced the former Home Care Packages Program and Short-Term Restorative Care Programme on 1 November 2025.
Depending on your assessment and approved services, Support at Home may help with:
- Personal care, including showering and dressing
- Help with medications
- Meal preparation
- Cleaning and household assistance
- Shopping
- Transport
- Respite care
- Nursing
- Allied health services
- Assistive technology
- Home modifications
Support at Home includes eight ongoing funding classifications, with the level of funding based on your assessed care needs.
Can you receive NDIS and aged care funding at the same time?
Generally, no.
If you remain an NDIS participant after 65, you cannot also access government-funded aged care services through programs such as Support at Home or CHSP.
Likewise, if you start receiving permanent home care services through the aged care system after turning 65, you will leave the NDIS.
This makes the decision an important one.
Before transitioning, it is worth considering which system is better suited to your needs. You should also understand what supports will be available before making any changes.
Your NDIS contact or Support Coordinator can help you understand your options. My Aged Care can also provide information about aged care eligibility and arrange an assessment.
What happens if I move into residential aged care after 65?
Different rules apply if an NDIS participant permanently moves into residential aged care after turning 65.
Under current NDIS rules, you must leave the NDIS if you permanently enter a government-funded residential aged care facility for the first time after turning 65.
Similarly, you must leave the NDIS if you begin receiving permanent government-funded home care through the aged care system after turning 65.
This is why planning ahead is important.
If your needs are changing, speak with your support network before making a permanent transition. This may include your family, Support Coordinator, NDIS contact and current service providers.
What if I want to keep living at home?
Growing older doesn’t necessarily mean giving up your independence or moving into residential aged care.
Many older Australians prefer to remain in their own homes and communities for as long as possible.
If you remain an NDIS participant, your NDIS supports can continue to help with eligible disability-related needs.
Alternatively, if you decide to transition into aged care, Support at Home is specifically designed to help older Australians remain living safely and independently at home.
This can include assistance with everyday tasks alongside more complex clinical and care needs.
Therefore, it is worth exploring your options before assuming residential care is your next step.
Should I stay with the NDIS or move to aged care?
There isn’t one answer that will suit every person.
For some participants, remaining with the NDIS makes sense because their primary support needs continue to relate to their disability.
Others may find their needs change as they grow older. In that case, Australia’s aged care system may become more appropriate.
Before making a decision, consider:
- Your current disability-related needs
- Any new ageing-related care needs
- Your living arrangements
- Your independence and personal goals
- The supports you currently receive
- Which supports would be available through aged care
- Whether you want to remain with your existing providers
- Your longer-term care preferences
Most importantly, don’t feel that you need to make the decision alone.
Start discussing your options before you need to make a transition. This gives you more time to understand each system and make a decision that feels right for you.
Supporting you through every stage with For Care and For Care Aged Care
At For Care, we understand that support needs can change throughout life.
If you’re an NDIS participant who wants to remain in the NDIS after 65, our team can continue supporting you with high-quality disability services, including Supported Independent Living (SIL) and personalised supports.
If you’re exploring a transition into aged care, our sister service, For Care Aged Care, provides in-home aged care services designed to help older Australians remain safe, comfortable and independent at home.
Having both disability and aged care experience within the For Care family means we understand that navigating the two systems can feel overwhelming. Our friendly team can talk with you about our services and help you understand which questions to ask as you explore your options.
Call us on 1800 367 227, email hello@forcare.net.au.
Whether you’re planning ahead, approaching 65 or supporting a family member through this stage of life, we’re here to help you understand your options and find the support that works for you.
FAQs
Does my NDIS funding automatically stop when I turn 65?
No. If you became an NDIS participant before turning 65, you can generally choose to remain in the NDIS after your 65th birthday. Turning 65 alone does not automatically end your participation.
Can I apply for the NDIS if I’m already 65?
No. You must be younger than 65 on the day you apply for the NDIS. If you are 65 or older and need support, you may instead be eligible for services through My Aged Care.
Providers such as For Care consider lifestyle preferences, routines, communication styles and support needs to ensure compatibility.
Do I need to change my NDIS services when I turn 65?
No. If you choose to remain an NDIS participant, turning 65 does not automatically require you to change your disability support services. You can continue accessing appropriate NDIS-funded supports according to your plan.
Can I receive NDIS funding and aged care funding at the same time?
Generally, no. Existing NDIS participants can choose to remain with the NDIS or transition to government-funded aged care. You cannot receive NDIS supports while also receiving aged care services through Support at Home or CHSP.
What happens if I move into an aged care home after turning 65?
If you permanently enter a government-funded residential aged care facility for the first time after turning 65, you will need to leave the NDIS. It’s important to discuss this transition with your support network before moving.
What is Support at Home?
Support at Home is the Australian Government’s in-home aged care program for older people with more complex or intensive care needs. It replaced Home Care Packages and Short-Term Restorative Care on 1 November 2025. Depending on your assessed needs, it can fund services such as personal care, nursing, transport, cleaning, meal preparation and allied health.
What should I do before turning 65 if I’m an NDIS participant?
Start exploring your options early. Speak with your NDIS contact or Support Coordinator about remaining with the NDIS and contact My Aged Care if you want to understand aged care options. You can also speak with providers such as For Care about the services available under each system.
