What is the difference between home care and residential aged care?

In Plain English

Home care and residential aged care are both types of services designed to support older Australians, but they differ in where and how the care is delivered. Home care involves services being brought to you in your own home or within your community. Residential aged care, on the other hand, involves moving into a facility (a residential care home) where you receive care, including accommodation, personal care, and nursing services.

Detailed explanation

The key difference between home care and residential aged care lies in the location and scope of services provided, as defined in the Aged Care Act 2024 and related instruments.

  1. Location of Service Delivery:

    • Home Care: According to subsection 10(6) of the Aged Care Act 2024, home care services are delivered in a "home or community setting". This includes a person's private residence or locations within their community. However, subsection 10(7) of the Aged Care Act 2024 specifies that certain places are not considered home or community settings, such as hospitals, psychiatric facilities, prisons, and hospices primarily providing palliative care.
    • Residential Aged Care: As per subsection 10(1) of the Aged Care Act 2024, residential aged care services are delivered in an "approved residential care home". Subsection 10(2) of the Aged Care Act 2024 defines a residential care home as a place of residence for individuals who require ongoing aged care services, including nursing services, due to sickness, and which is equipped and staffed to provide these services. Subsection 10(4) of the Aged Care Act 2024 clarifies that a private home is not a residential care home.

  2. Nature of Services:

    • Home Care: Home care services, as defined in the MRCA Treatment Principles (No. MRCC 53/2013), encompass a range of supports delivered to individuals in their homes or community. These can include services such as domestic assistance, personal care, home and garden maintenance, and respite care.
    • Residential Aged Care: Residential aged care provides a more comprehensive level of support, including accommodation, meals, cleaning services, and 24-hour access to personal and nursing care. Subsection 8(6) of the Aged Care Act 2024 specifies that services delivered in a residential care home must be for the care of persons experiencing sickness, or incidental or conducive to that care.

  3. Access and Eligibility:

    • Home Care: Accessing funded aged care services, including home care, requires an application under section 56 of the Aged Care Act 2024, an eligibility determination by the System Governor, an aged care needs assessment, and an access approval.
    • Residential Aged Care: Similar to home care, accessing residential aged care requires an application, eligibility determination, needs assessment, and place allocation, as outlined in subsection 9(2) of the Aged Care Act 2024.

  4. Provider Registration:

    • Both home care and residential aged care services are delivered by registered providers and their aged care workers, as stated in subsection 11(1) of the Aged Care Act 2024. Registered providers must be registered in specific provider registration categories, including the residential care category, as per subsection 11(3) of the Aged Care Act 2024. Section 11-5 of the Aged Care Rules 2025 prescribes additional provider registration categories, such as home and community services.

In summary, home care is designed to support individuals to continue living in their own homes and communities, while residential aged care provides a higher level of care and accommodation in a dedicated facility.