Accessing Government Funded Care Services
There are diverse ways to access support at home in your local community that can be provided through government funding.
Find out more about services below:
Over 65 year of age
These supports are for people who are 65 years and over (50 years or older for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people), or if you are on a low income/homeless/at risk of being homeless and aged 50 years or older (45 years or older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people).
My Aged Care
My Aged Care offers assistance for people who have difficulty with tasks of daily living or need support to connect socially in their local community.
To discuss your situation, contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422.
To register for an assessment contact My aged Care on 1800 200 422 or apply online
Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) providers
If you are eligible for the Commonwealth Home Support Program, you can connect with your local service providers below:
Home Care Package (HCP) providers
Visit the My Aged Care Find a provider tool to find Home Care Package service providers in your area that meet your needs.
Under 65 years of age
These supports offer support for people under 65 years of age who require assistance.
Home and Community Care Program for Younger People (HACC PYP)
The Home and Community Care Program for Younger People provides support for people with disabilities whose capacity for independent living is at risk.
Services are targeted to younger people with moderate, severe, or profound disabilities and their unpaid carers. Not everyone who is eligible can receive an immediate service.
This service is funded by the Victorian State Government.
The local assessment and service provider on the Surf Coast Shire is Great Ocean Road Health.
Contact the intake information and data officer on 5237 8500 or email referrals.gorh@gorh.vic.gov.au to check your eligibility.
NDIS
The NDIS provides funding to eligible people with a disability to gain more time with family and friends, greater independence, access to new skills, jobs, or volunteering in their community, and an improved quality of life.
The NDIS also connects anyone with disability to services in their community.
This includes connections to doctors, community groups, sporting clubs, support groups, libraries, and schools, as well as providing information about what support is provided by each state and territory government.
To see if you are eligible for NDIS, you can
Local Area Coordination (LAC)
Latrobe Community Health is our Local Area Coordinator and will help people with disability to connect with supports, activities in their community and other government services to meet their needs. They also help participants to understand the NDIS, work with NDIS participants to develop and use their NDIS plan.
Contact Latrobe Community Health on 1800 242 696 or email barwonlac@ndis.gov.au
Veterans
You may be able to access some assistance at home if you have a Veteran healthcare card.
The Veterans’ Home Care (VHC) Program
The Veterans’ Home Care (VHC) Program offers some help so you can live independently. It is not for complex or high-level care needs.
If you have long-term, high-level care needs, you may be referred to Community Nursing.
Call the VHC Assessment Agency on 1300 550 450 to request an assessment for services.
Community nursing (CN) offers clinical and personal care services at home.
The program employs qualified nurses and support staff.
Services can include:
- help with medication
- wound care
- hygiene
- showering
- dressing