Elderly Care Services in Hobart & Tasmania
Tasmania has the oldest population of any Australian state, with 20.5% of residents aged 65 and over — approximately 115,000 people. By 2030, that figure is projected to reach 25%.
The state's geography presents unique challenges: long distances between services, limited public transport outside Hobart and Launceston, and a smaller workforce of aged care professionals compared to the mainland. But Tasmania also has strong community networks, dedicated regional hospitals, and government programs specifically designed for its ageing population. This guide covers every elderly care service available in Hobart and across Tasmania — from government-funded programs to local community organisations.
Tasmania's Ageing Population
of Tasmanians are aged 65+
Tasmanians aged 65 and over
projected over-65s by 2030
oldest population of any Australian state
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 a phone screening, then face-to-face assessment. |
| Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) | Entry-level home support: domestic help, meals, transport, social support, allied health, nursing, home maintenance. | Via My Aged Care assessment. Lower-level needs. No means testing for most services. |
| Home Care Packages (HCP Levels 1-4) | Coordinated care packages from ~$9,500/yr (Level 1) to ~$57,000/yr (Level 4). Covers personal care, nursing, allied health, equipment. | Via My Aged Care ACAT assessment. Wait times in Tasmania: 3-6 months for Level 2, 6-12+ months for Level 4. |
| Tasmanian Seniors Card | Discounts on transport (40% off Metro), retail, dining, entertainment, and government services across Tasmania. | Apply online at service.tas.gov.au or call Service Tasmania on 1300 135 513. Free for all TAS residents 60+. |
| Community Equipment Scheme (TAS) | Loan or supply of mobility aids, hospital beds, pressure mattresses, shower chairs, wheelchairs, commodes. | GP or allied health referral. Contact TasEquip on (03) 6166 3200 or through your local hospital OT. |
| DVA Services (Veterans) | Gold Card: comprehensive healthcare including home care, transport, allied health, dental, optical, aids. White Card: specific conditions. | Contact DVA on 1800 555 254. Many Tasmanian veterans are unaware of full entitlements — ask for a review. |
Hospital Geriatric Services
Royal Hobart Hospital (RHH)
48 Liverpool Street, Hobart TAS 7000 | (03) 6166 8308
- Geriatric Medicine Unit — specialist assessment and management of complex elderly conditions
- Geriatric Evaluation and Management (GEM) — inpatient rehabilitation for elderly patients
- Falls and Balance Clinic — assessment and prevention programs
- Memory Clinic — dementia assessment, diagnosis, and management
- Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) — in-hospital assessment for aged care eligibility
- Hospital in the Home (HITH) — acute care delivered at home for eligible elderly patients
Launceston General Hospital (LGH)
274-280 Charles Street, Launceston TAS 7250 | (03) 6777 6777
- Geriatric Medicine — specialist inpatient and outpatient services for the North
- Rehabilitation Unit — post-surgical and post-stroke rehab for elderly patients
- ACAT — assessment for residential care and Home Care Packages
- Palliative Care Unit — end-of-life care and symptom management
- Covers Northern Tasmania, Tamar Valley, and East Coast referrals
North West Regional Hospital (NWRH)
23 Brickport Road, Burnie TAS 7320 | (03) 6430 6666
- Geriatric Medicine — outreach from Hobart specialists plus local geriatricians
- Rehabilitation Unit — elderly rehabilitation including hip fracture recovery
- ACAT — assessment for North-West coast residents
- Covers Burnie, Devonport, Ulverstone, Smithton, and surrounding areas
Mersey Community Hospital
Bass Highway, Latrobe TAS 7307 | (03) 6426 5111
- Rehabilitation and Aged Care services — step-down care after acute hospitalisation
- Palliative care consultation service
- Covers Devonport, Latrobe, Sheffield, and Central Coast areas
Community Services by Region
Greater Hobart (South)
Hobart, Glenorchy, Clarence, Kingborough, Huon Valley
- Hobart City Council Seniors Programs — Social groups, exercise classes, library programs, digital literacy workshops
- COTA Tasmania — Council on the Ageing. Advocacy, information, peer support. (03) 6231 3265
- Anglicare Tasmania — Home support, social support, respite care, Meals on Wheels. 1800 243 232
- Baptcare — Home Care Packages, residential care (Karingal, Strathaven). 1300 275 227
- Glenorchy City Council — Seniors Week events, Positive Ageing programs, community transport
- Clarence City Council — Seniors programs, Clarence Aquatic Centre (heated pool for hydrotherapy)
- Southern Cross Care Tasmania — Home care, residential care, and respite across Southern Tasmania
- The Salvation Army Aged Care — Home support and residential care in Hobart area
Launceston & North
Launceston, Tamar Valley, George Town, Scottsdale, St Helens
- Launceston City Council Seniors Services — Community programs, library events, Albert Hall activities
- Uniting AgeWell — Home Care Packages, residential care (Frederick Furmston), community services. 1300 783 435
- Masonic Care Tasmania — Residential and community care in Launceston area
- TasEquip Northern Hub — Equipment loans and assessments for Northern residents
- Northern Midlands Council — Community transport, seniors programs in Longford, Campbell Town, Ross
- Break O'Day Council — Services for St Helens, Bicheno, and East Coast elderly residents
North-West Coast
Burnie, Devonport, Ulverstone, Smithton, Queenstown
- Burnie City Council — Seniors programs, community centre events, library services
- Devonport City Council — Seniors Week activities, community transport, social programs
- Rural Health Tasmania — Outreach health services for remote and rural communities on the West Coast
- Corumbene Care — Home care and residential aged care in Burnie and surrounds
- Tandara Lodge — Residential aged care in Sylvania (Central Coast area)
- West Coast Council — Limited services in Queenstown, Strahan, Zeehan — Patient Travel Assistance Scheme (PTAS) for travel to Burnie/Hobart specialists
East Coast & Rural
Bicheno, Swansea, Triabunna, Oatlands, Bothwell
- Glamorgan Spring Bay Council — Community transport, social support for isolated elderly residents
- Southern Midlands Council — Seniors services in Oatlands, Bothwell, Kempton areas
- Royal Flying Doctor Service Tasmania — Telehealth and clinic visits for remote/isolated patients. 1300 669 569
- Patient Travel Assistance Scheme (PTAS) — Financial assistance for travel to specialist appointments. Essential for East Coast and rural residents who must travel to Hobart or Launceston.
- Primary Health Tasmania — Coordinates GP access, after-hours care, and chronic disease management in rural areas
Transport Options for Elderly Tasmanians
| Service | Coverage | Eligibility / Cost | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metro Tasmania | Hobart, Launceston, Burnie | Seniors Card holders: 40% discount. Free travel for Gold Card DVA. | metrotas.com.au | 13 22 01 |
| Community Transport | Statewide (via CHSP) | Door-to-door transport for medical appointments, shopping, social. Small fee ($5-$15). | Via My Aged Care or local council |
| Patient Travel Assistance (PTAS) | Interstate and intrastate specialist travel | Fuel subsidy ($0.20/km) + accommodation ($60/night). For specialist appointments 50km+ from home. | 1800 622 951 or health.tas.gov.au |
| Wheelchair Accessible Taxis | Hobart, Launceston, Burnie/Devonport | Taxi Subsidy Scheme: 50% off fares (up to $30 subsidy per trip). Apply via Service Tasmania. | Book via taxi companies or apps |
| Volunteer Transport | Various councils statewide | Volunteers drive elderly residents to appointments. Varies by council — contact your local government. | Contact your local council's community services |
| Red Cross Transport | Greater Hobart, some North | Volunteer-driven transport for elderly and disabled. Medical appointments focus. | Red Cross Tasmania (03) 6235 6077 |
Technology & Daily Monitoring
Tasmania's geography means many elderly people live far from family and services. Technology bridges that distance.
Daily Check-In Calls
KindlyCall provides daily AI-powered wellness calls to elderly Tasmanians. The call checks mood, health, medication, and safety — then alerts family members to any concerns. Works on any phone (landline or mobile). No internet or technology skills required. Particularly valuable for isolated rural Tasmanians who may not see another person for days.
Personal Alarms
Pendant or wristband alarms that connect to a 24/7 monitoring centre. Pressing the button summons help. Some include fall detection (automatic alert if a fall is detected). Tasmania-specific providers: TasCare, Tunstall, VitalCall. Funded via HCP or CHSP in some cases.
Telehealth Services
Tasmania has strong telehealth adoption due to its rural geography. GPs and specialists offer video consultations via Medicare Telehealth items. Royal Flying Doctor Service provides telehealth clinics for remote patients. Reduces the burden of travel for elderly Tasmanians in rural areas.
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 Tasmania.
Healthdirect Tasmania
1800 022 222
Free health advice from registered nurses. 24/7. Helps decide if hospital visit is needed.
Service Tasmania
1300 135 513
Seniors Card applications, Taxi Subsidy Scheme, government services information.
COTA Tasmania
(03) 6231 3265
Council on the Ageing. Advocacy, information, and referral for older Tasmanians.
Elder Abuse Helpline Tasmania
1800 441 169
Confidential advice and support for suspected elder abuse. Also contact Tasmania Police.
Lifeline Tasmania
13 11 14
24/7 crisis support. For elderly people experiencing loneliness, depression, or suicidal thoughts.
DVA (Veterans)
1800 555 254
Department of Veterans' Affairs. Gold/White Card services, PTSD support, aged care for veterans.
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