Younger People in Residential Aged Care System Coordinator Program

Younger People in Residential Aged Care System Coordinator Program

A Program committed to helping younger people to get the care and support they need to live in a home that is right for their age.

Recent News Update for Referrers.

Ability First Australia’s Younger People in Residential Aged Care System Coordinator Program (YPIRAC) is a nationally funded program.

The Program is designed to reduce the number of younger people at risk of entering and living in residential aged care. It aims to give younger people greater choice and control over where they live and what supports they need to either transition out of, or avoid entering, residential aged care.

Regionally based teams of Systems Coordinators (SCs) are located in all states and territories, apart from the ACT and NT to assist younger people access appropriate services and supports across the disability, health, housing, and aged care sectors. Our experienced staff have expertise in complex case management and our operating model and practice is person-centred and reflects Trauma Informed Care values and principles.

Working collaboratively with other government and non-government organisations it helps identify and provide important information to address the barriers faced by younger people and their families.

To read our latest Program Update click here.

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To make an enquiry/or a referral to the Program please contact Ability First Australia on 1800 771 663 between 8:30 am to 5:30 pm AEST.

For more general information about the Program you can call one of our Regional Managers:

NSW/QLD/Territories Linda Ferguson

[email protected] | 0410 335 184

VIC/TAS Steve Lowe

[email protected] | 0419 180 102

WA/SA Isabelle Currie

[email protected] | 0407 241 187

Or Director, Program Deborah Hoffman

[email protected] | 0474 359 868

If you wish to provide us with feedback, please complete our online form below. Our Feedback Policy can be downloaded here.

Your Feedback Is Important To Us

The YPIRAC System Coordinator Program is here to help, and we value your feedback about the quality of our service and the experience you have with the program. We want to hear from you – about things we have done well, and also about how we might improve.

Please use the form below to provide your feedback.

Frequently Asked Questions

Our experienced team of Systems Coordinators are here to help you explore your options for living arrangements and age-appropriate support.

While our program does not fund services directly, we work collaboratively with you to connect you with service providers funded to meet your needs.

Whether you’re in residential aged care or discharging from a hospital, we can assist in finding alternatives to aged care services, helping you make informed decisions about your living situation.

I am currently living in or being considered for Residential Aged Care and under 65

Q. I am under 65 yrs. of age and living in residential aged care. I am not a participant of the NDIS. How can you help me?

A. Our team of experienced case managers (called Systems Coordinators) will meet with you and help you to consider your options of how you would like to live and the age-appropriate supports you would like.

Our program does not fund the services that you may require. Instead, with your consent or your guardians’, our team works with you to connect you with providers who are funded to provide services and programs.

We are a free national program, and we can work with you for as long as is necessary.

Please call us on 1800 771 663 to speak with one of our team.

Q. I am under 65 yrs. of age and living in residential aged care and I am not a participant of the NDIS. Do I have to move out of aged care?

A. No. Those who are under the age of 65 yrs. and currently living permanently in aged care can continue living in residential age care. However, you can explore other options.

Aged care facilities are not intended for younger people and may not be set up appropriately to meet your needs. Our team of experienced case managers (called Systems Coordinators) can work with you to explore options for connecting with the community outside of aged care.

Our program can work with you to revisit your preference to stay. We will work with you to ensure you have all the information and support available to make an informed decision about whether you choose to stay living in aged care or explore options for moving out of aged care.

If you are currently living permanently in aged care, your facility cannot make you move out because you are under 65 or if you become an NDIS participant. Your current facility has a responsibility to find alternative accommodation for you, should changes occur at the facility you are living in.

Q. I am under 65 yrs. of age and not a NDIS participant. I think I may need residential aged care due to my increasing support needs. Can you help me?

A. Yes, please call us on 1800 771 663 to discuss how we can help.

From 1 November 2025, the new Aged Care Act 2024, will restrict entry to all forms of Australian Government-funded aged care services to only people aged 65 years and over. This includes access to residential care, and in-home supports such as Home Care etc.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and in need of care (aged 50-64 years of age) will remain eligible to access aged care services.

However, we can work with you to explore any local age-appropriate services and prepare documentary evidence of all age-appropriate accommodation and supports that have been explored. We will use this information to discuss your needs with the relevant State or Territory Government who from 1 November 2025, will be responsible for providing suitable support and services to meet the needs of people ineligible for aged care services or the NDIS.

I am currently in hospital and under 65

Q. I will be discharging a hospital patient who is under 65 yrs of age, the person needs support to return to living in the community and would like to test their NDIS eligibility. Can you complete the NDIS Access Request form?

A. This is normally completed internally by hospital staff with the assistance from the NDIS Health Liaison Officer and the Hospital Interface YPIRAC team at the NDIA. However, if you are experiencing any issues, please call us on 1800 771 663 to discuss how we can help.

Q. I have a hospital patient who is under 65 yrs with increasing needs at risk of entry to residential aged care. They are not an NDIS participant. Can I refer this person to your program and what is the process?

A. Yes, this is an appropriate referral. Please call us on 1800 771 663 to discuss how we can help. Aged care facilities are not intended for people under 65 years.

People generally need to be aged 65 years or over (50 or over for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people) to access subsidised aged care services.

Our program’s focus is to find alternatives to aged care services if the person is at risk of entering permanent residential aged care.

Only after documentary evidence that all age-appropriate accommodation and supports have been explored and cannot be found will someone be considered for residential aged care.

Our program is able to assist with this exploration once we have accepted the referral and gained the consent of the younger person.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and in need of care (aged 50-64 years of age) will remain eligible to access aged care services.

To aid in exploration, hospitals can provide evidence in the form of prognostic/diagnostic/functional assessments or reports that will demonstrate the current support needs of the younger person.

The circumstances that do not require documentary evidence are:

a person from an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community who is at least 50 years of age
a person who is homeless or at risk of becoming homeless and is a least 50 years of age

Please phone My Aged Care directly on 1800 200 422 if these circumstances apply.
If the above do not apply, please call us on 1800 771 663.

Q. I have a hospital patient who requires Transitional Care Program (TCP) funding or Short- Term Restorative Care (STRC) to discharge from hospital. Can you assist me?

A. No, this is not normally within the scope of our program. Your patient needs to be aged 65 years or over (50 or over for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people) to access subsidised aged care services.

TCP and STRC programs are designed to optimise the functioning and independence of older Australians.

The hospital is responsible for exploring alternative rehabilitation (inpatient or outpatient) services if they believe the younger person requires this due to their temporary functional decline.

Our program will only become involved if this situation led to the person being at risk of entering residential aged care.

I am living in the community and under 65

Q. I am under 65 years, living at home and seeking a home care package, and I was given your details by My Aged Care. Are you able to assist me?

A. No, this is not within the scope of the program. You generally need to be aged 65 years or over (50 or over for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people) to access subsidised aged care services. Aged care services are designed to support the needs of older people and are generally not suitable for younger people.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and in need of care (aged 50-64 years of age) will remain eligible to access aged care services.

For people under the age of 65 yrs. seeking low-level supports such as home maintenance, domestic care, meals and transport please seek support through your local government directories. You may like to call the Carers Gateway on1800 422 737 or the Disability Gateway 1800 643 787 who may be able to help you
locate services.

Q. I am under 65 years and already receive a Home Care package (HCP), however my needs have increased, and I need a reassessment. Can you help?

A. This is not within scope of the program. Existing HCP recipients under 65 requiring a reassessment for a higher-level package will need to provide evidence to their Single Assessment Provider that they have explored and exhausted alternate age-appropriate options.

Your existing Home Care Package Coordinator may be able to assist and provide the evidence required for reassessment.

If you are at risk of entry to permanent residential aged care under 65 years, please call us on 1800 771 663.

I am Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and/or homeless and at least 50

Q. I am 50 or over Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, can I access Aged Care services?

A. My Aged Care is best placed to assist you on 1800 200 422 if you are:

Under the new Aged Care Act 2024 which is due for implementation 1 November 2025, a person from an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community who is at least 50 years of age and requires care is eligible to access aged care services

If after speaking with My Aged Care or your local a Single Assessment Provider you would like to discuss what other options may be available to you other than aged care services, please call us on 1800 771 663.

Q. I am over 50 and homeless/at risk of homelessness or needing urgent respite, can I access Aged Care services?

A. My Aged Care is best placed to assist you on 1800 200 422 if you are:

a person who is homeless or at risk of becoming homeless and have some care needs and at least 50 years of age
a younger person who urgently needed residential respite and it was not practical to apply for approval beforehand

Under the new Aged Care Act 2024 which is due for implementation 1 November 2025, a person who is homeless or at risk of homelessness who is at least 50 years of age and requires care is eligible to access aged care services

If after speaking with My Aged Care or the Aged Care Assessment Team/Service you would like to discuss what other options may be available to you other than aged care services, please call us on 1800 771 663.

I am a current NDIS participant

Q. I am a NDIS participant, and my needs have changed, and I think I need to go into residential aged care. Are you able to help me?

A. The NDIA will work with anyone who is a current NDIS participant. If your situation has changed you can request a change to your plan at any time. The NDIA supports NDIS participants who are at risk of entry to residential aged care to explore all home and living options.

You can discuss this with your Support Coordinator if you have one, or contact NDIA’s Younger People In Residential Aged Care (YPIRAC) team by emailing: [email protected]

The specialist NDIA YPIRAC team can help you to explore alternative home and living options so you can continue to exercise choice and control over where and how you want to live, with the right funded supports.

Q. I am a current NDIS participant, and I have other needs not funded by the NDIS and I need guidance. Can you help me?

A. The NDIA are the best team to support anyone who is a current NDIS participant.

The NDIA work with mainstream agencies to identify available options for NDIS participants who have additional needs. You can also contact your Local Area Coordinator (LAC) for access to mainstream supports.

Q. I need help with applying to the NDIS. Can you help?

A. We can work with you to explore alternate home and support care options to avoid entry to permanent residential aged care. If appropriate, NDIS eligibility may be one of the pathways we may explore with you.

If this is the case, we can help you with your application.

If you are not at risk of entering permanent residential aged care, please contact your Local Area Coordinator who can assist you with applying to the NDIS.

Program eligibility and processes

Q. Do we have to apply for the NDIS and receive and Access Not Met Letter prior to referring a person under the age of 65 years to the program?

A. No, this is not necessary. Eligibility for our program is based on an individual being at immediate or imminent risk of residential aged care. Some individuals have tested their NDIS eligibility ahead of referral to our program while others have not.

Our focus is to work with those who are not eligible for the NDIS, but we don’t require proof.

Q. Can you organise, or do you provide house cleaning, transport, and gardening assistance?

A. No, we do not fund or arrange this type of assistance. Our focus is to work with people younger than 65 at risk of entering residential aged care services and high support needs. Needing low level home and community supports is not considered a risk factor for entering residential aged care.

Q. What services do you provide?

A. Our program assists people who are younger than 65 and are at risk of entering residential aged care and are not eligible for the NDIS to explore care and support options which may be available to them. The person could be living at home or be in hospital.

We do not have funds to purchase services or equipment but instead help you to connect with funded programs and providers who can provide you with the appropriate level of care for you to avoid entering residential aged care.

Depending on where you live, the range of services we can connect you with can vary and it is not always possible to find all the suitable services you may need.

Regardless, we will let you know and make sure you understand what is available so you can decide what you would like to happen next.

Q. Do I need to have a disability to be referred to your program?

A. No. If you have a condition that might meet the eligibility criteria for the NDIS then you can apply to the NDIS to test your eligibility. You can do this yourself or ring the NDIA on 1800 800 110.

If you are at risk of entering residential aged care and our program believes it might be appropriate for you to test your eligibility for the NDIS, we will discuss this with you.

Q. What is the role of the Systems Coordinator and how long are you involved with the younger person for?

A. A Systems Coordinator is experienced case manager skilled to work with individuals who have complex needs. They have a background working in all or some of the following sectors – disability, health, housing and community services.

They work with people who are under 65 and require assistance with connecting with services and programs that may assist them to avoid entering residential aged care. System Coordinators also work with people who are currently living in residential aged care and are under 65.

The amount of time a Systems Coordinators will work with you is dependent on your situation and need.

We can work with you for as long as is necessary. Our program is currently funded until late 2025.

Q. My Aged Care told me that you can provide services for me, why can’t you?

A. Our program is not funded to provide services. Our program is funded to support connecting with younger people at imminent risk of entering residential aged care to explore options other than aged care.

Q. Where can I find the principles and guidelines around Younger People in Residential Aged Care.

A. Principles and guidelines for a younger person’s access to Commonwealth funded aged care services | Australian
Government Department of Health and Aged Care

More Information

Find out more about Ability First Australia’s Younger People in Residential Aged Care System Coordinator Program.

Download your free information .PDF below:

Information For Younger People In Residential Aged Care (YPIRAC)

Information For Younger People At Risk Of Entering Residential Aged Care (YPAR)

Your Toolkit For Moving Out Of Aged Care (click image to download)

Our Latest Newsletters

Stay up-to-date with the latest news from Ability First Australia’s Younger People in Residential Aged Care System Coordinator Program.

View past editions of our newsletter online below:

Edition 1 – December 2022 >>

Edition 2 – May 2023 >>

Edition 3 – August 2023 >>

Edition 4 – April 2024 >>

Edition 5 – October 2024 >>

Research

Find out more about Ability First Australia’s Younger People involvement in research.

Research Project Results and Findings (December 2024)

Research Project Results and Findings (January 2023)

Perspectives of Australian professionals who support younger people in residential aged care without access to individualised funding (September 2024)

That grey area where no one can help: The experience of younger people avoiding or leaving residential aged care who are not NDIS participants (November 2024)

Have your say about young people living in aged care

Survey via Summer Foundation