Elderly Care Services in Canberra & the ACT
The ACT has approximately 58,000 people aged 65 and over, and one of the fastest growing elderly populations per capita in Australia. Canberra's ageing baby boomer generation is transforming the territory's care needs.
Canberra has unique advantages for elderly care: high concentration of federal government services, excellent public hospitals, strong community organisations, and a compact geography that makes services relatively accessible. However, the ACT also has some of the highest property prices in Australia, making downsizing difficult, and its cold winters pose specific risks for elderly residents. This guide covers every elderly care service available in the ACT — from government-funded programs to local community organisations, ACT-specific initiatives, and the cross-border services shared with Queanbeyan and surrounding NSW.
Canberra's Ageing Population
ACT residents aged 65+
of ACT population over 65
projected over-65s by 2035
of ACT seniors are retired public servants
Government Programs
| Program | What It Provides | How to Access |
|---|---|---|
| My Aged Care (Federal) | Gateway to all government-funded aged care. Assessment, referrals, Home Care Packages (HCP), residential care, respite. | Call 1800 200 422 or visit myagedcare.gov.au. Start with phone screening, then ACAT assessment. |
| Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) | Entry-level home support: domestic help, meals, transport, social support, allied health, nursing, home maintenance, respite. | Via My Aged Care assessment. Suitable for lower-level needs. Small co-contributions may apply. |
| Home Care Packages (HCP Levels 1-4) | Coordinated care from ~$9,500/yr (Level 1) to ~$57,000/yr (Level 4). Personal care, nursing, allied health, equipment, transport, garden. | Via My Aged Care ACAT assessment. ACT wait times: 3-6 months Level 2, 6-12 months Level 3-4. |
| ACT Seniors Card | Discounts on ACT government services, transport, retail, and dining. Free off-peak ACTION bus travel. | Apply at accesscanberra.act.gov.au or Service ACT shopfronts. Free for ACT residents 60+. |
| Pensioner Concessions (ACT) | Rates rebate (up to $700/yr), energy rebate, water/sewerage concession, free spectacles (ACT Public Optometry). | Apply via Access Canberra 13 22 81 with Pensioner Concession Card or Commonwealth Seniors Health Card. |
| DVA Services (Veterans) | Gold Card: comprehensive healthcare. Many retired ADF personnel live in Canberra. RSL ACT provides additional support. | Contact DVA 1800 555 254. RSL ACT: (02) 6162 3333. Legacy Canberra: (02) 6282 2767. |
Hospital Geriatric Services
Canberra Hospital (Woden)
Yamba Drive, Garran ACT 2605 | (02) 5124 0000
- Division of Medicine — Geriatric Medicine Unit with specialist geriatricians
- Geriatric Rapid Acute Care Evaluation (GRACE) — rapid geriatric assessment in ED to avoid admission
- Falls and Fracture Clinic — assessment, prevention programs, post-fracture management
- Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) — in-hospital and community-based assessment
- Transitional Care Program — up to 12 weeks post-hospital support at home or in facility
- Hospital in the Home (HITH) — acute hospital-level care at home for eligible elderly patients
- Palliative Care Unit — Clare Holland House (specialist inpatient palliative care)
- Memory Assessment Service — comprehensive dementia assessment and diagnosis
Calvary Public Hospital Bruce
5 Mary Potter Circuit, Bruce ACT 2617 | (02) 6201 6111
- Geriatric Medicine — outpatient clinic and inpatient geriatric services
- Rehabilitation Unit — post-surgical and post-stroke rehabilitation for elderly patients
- Geriatric Evaluation and Management (GEM) — subacute care for complex elderly conditions
- Hydrotherapy Pool — warm water therapy for arthritis, pain, and mobility rehabilitation
- Covers North Canberra, Belconnen, and Gungahlin catchment areas
University of Canberra Hospital (UCH)
15 Ginninderra Drive, Bruce ACT 2617 | (02) 5124 0000
- Specialist Centre for Rehabilitation, Recovery and Research
- Elderly rehabilitation programs — mobility, strength, independence training
- Outpatient clinics — falls prevention, continence, chronic pain management
- Mental Health for Older People (MHOP) — specialist psychogeriatric services
Cross-Border: Queanbeyan & Surrounding NSW
Many elderly people in the Canberra region live in Queanbeyan, Bungendore, Yass, or other nearby NSW towns. These residents access ACT hospitals and specialists but are assessed under NSW aged care programs. NSW Health Queanbeyan Hospital provides limited geriatric services. For complex needs, referral to Canberra Hospital is standard. Ensure My Aged Care knows the correct state of residence for assessment purposes.
Community Services by Region
North Canberra & Belconnen
Civic, Turner, O'Connor, Ainslie, Dickson, Belconnen, Bruce, Charnwood, Gungahlin
- COTA ACT — Council on the Ageing. Information, advocacy, seniors programs. (02) 6282 3777
- Woden Community Service — Despite the name, operates across North and South. Aged care support, social groups, meals. (02) 6282 2644
- Calvary Community Care — Home Care Packages, CHSP services, nursing, allied health. 1800 225 829
- Belconnen Community Centre — Seniors programs, social groups, gentle exercise classes, craft groups
- YMCA Canberra — Seniors fitness programs, water exercise, strength classes at multiple venues
- Goodwin Aged Care — Home care, residential care, retirement living. Multiple locations. (02) 6175 5100
South Canberra, Woden & Tuggeranong
Woden, Phillip, Mawson, Torrens, Tuggeranong, Greenway, Wanniassa, Kambah, Fadden
- Communities@Work — Largest community organisation in ACT. Home care, meals on wheels, social support, respite. (02) 6293 6500
- Catholic Healthcare — Home care, residential care (St Joseph's), dementia support. 1800 225 474
- HammondCare — Specialist dementia care, palliative care, home care. Canberra office. 1800 826 166
- Tuggeranong Community Centre — Seniors Week events, men's shed, community lunches, IT help
- Southern Cross Care ACT — Home care, residential care, retirement living across South Canberra
- ACT Meals on Wheels — Daily hot meals and frozen meals for homebound elderly. Social contact during delivery. (02) 6257 7755
Queanbeyan & Surrounding NSW
Queanbeyan, Jerrabomberra, Googong, Bungendore, Yass, Murrumbateman
- Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council — Seniors programs, community transport, social activities
- Baptist Care NSW/ACT — Home care, residential care in Queanbeyan. 1300 275 227
- Yass Valley Council — Community transport, seniors services for Yass, Murrumbateman, Bookham
- Important: NSW residents access My Aged Care under NSW (not ACT) assessment. May use ACT hospitals and specialists. Ensure correct state of residence is recorded with My Aged Care.
ACT-Specific Programs
ACT Home Safety Program
Free home safety assessments and minor modifications for ACT seniors. Grab rails, non-slip strips, improved lighting, smoke alarm checks. Occupational therapists assess the home and recommend changes. Funded by the ACT Government.
Contact: Access Canberra 13 22 81 or via your GP referral.
ACT Seniors Grants
Annual grants of up to $1,000 for community organisations running seniors programs. Funds exercise classes, social groups, digital literacy, arts programs, and wellness activities. Check ACT Government website for current round.
Contact: communityservices.act.gov.au
Older Persons Mental Health Service
Specialist mental health service for people aged 65+ in the ACT. Provides assessment, treatment, and support for depression, anxiety, PTSD, psychosis, and behavioural symptoms of dementia. Community and inpatient services.
Contact: Referral via GP to ACT Health. Canberra Hospital (02) 5124 0000.
ACT Companion Card
Free card that provides a second ticket at no cost for people who require attendant care. Accepted at participating venues and on ACTION buses. Reduces cost barrier for elderly people who need someone to accompany them.
Contact: actcompanioncard.org.au or (02) 6205 2222
ACT Spectacles Program
Free spectacles for ACT residents who hold a Pensioner Concession Card. Assessment and supply through ACT Public Optometry Clinic. Vision is critical for fall prevention and independence in elderly people living alone.
Contact: Canberra Hospital Eye Clinic (02) 5124 2020
Transport Options for Elderly Canberrans
| Service | Coverage | Eligibility / Cost | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACTION Buses | All Canberra suburbs | Seniors Card: free off-peak travel (9am-4:30pm, after 6pm weekdays, all weekend). Gold Card DVA: free all times. | transport.act.gov.au | 13 17 10 |
| Flexible Bus Service | Lower-demand suburbs (evening/weekend) | Demand-responsive. Book online or by phone. Same concession rates apply. | transport.act.gov.au | 13 17 10 |
| Community Transport | ACT-wide (via CHSP) | Door-to-door for medical appointments, shopping, social activities. Small fee ($5-$15 per trip). | Via My Aged Care or Communities@Work (02) 6293 6500 |
| ACT Taxi Subsidy Scheme | ACT taxis | 50% off taxi fares (up to $25 subsidy per trip, max $2,500/year). Wheelchair accessible taxis available. | Access Canberra 13 22 81 |
| Patient Transport (Non-Emergency) | ACT and cross-border | ACT Ambulance Service non-emergency patient transport for medical appointments. Fee applies. | ACT Ambulance (02) 6207 0400 (non-emergency) |
| Veterans' Transport | ACT and surrounding region | RSL DefenceCare transport for veterans to medical appointments. Free for DVA-entitled veterans. | RSL ACT (02) 6162 3333 |
Technology & Daily Monitoring
Canberra's cold winters make daily welfare monitoring especially important. Elderly people living alone may reduce heating to save money, avoid going outside in icy conditions, and become isolated for days during cold snaps.
Daily Check-In Calls
KindlyCall provides daily AI-powered wellness calls to elderly Canberrans. The call checks mood, health, medication compliance, and safety — then alerts family members to concerns. Particularly important during Canberra winters when elderly people may not leave the house for days. Works on any phone. No internet required.
Personal Alarms
Pendant or wristband alarms with 24/7 monitoring. Critical for fall risk in icy Canberra winters. Some include automatic fall detection and GPS tracking. Providers: Tunstall, VitalCall, MePACS. May be partially funded through HCP or CHSP.
Smart Home Technology
Canberra's ACT Smart programs have encouraged home automation. Smart heating controls prevent hypothermia, motion sensors track activity patterns, smart doorbells allow remote visitor screening. The ACT Government's digital literacy programs for seniors help with adoption.
Emergency & Key Contacts
Emergency Services
000
Ambulance, police, fire. Always call for life-threatening emergencies.
My Aged Care
1800 200 422
Gateway to all government-funded aged care services in the ACT.
Healthdirect
1800 022 222
Free health advice from registered nurses. 24/7. Helps decide if hospital visit is needed.
Access Canberra
13 22 81
ACT Seniors Card, concessions, home safety, taxi subsidy, all ACT Government services.
COTA ACT
(02) 6282 3777
Council on the Ageing ACT. Information, advocacy, and referral for older Canberrans.
ACT Elder Abuse Prevention
(02) 6205 3535
Office for Seniors and Veterans. Confidential support for suspected elder abuse.
Lifeline Canberra
13 11 14
24/7 crisis support. For elderly people experiencing loneliness, depression, or suicidal thoughts.
ACT Policing (Non-Emergency)
131 444
Welfare checks, non-urgent concerns about elderly residents, community safety.
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