Here are the aged care terms and acronyms used on this site, in plain English.
Several terms changed on 1 November 2025 when the Aged Care Act 2024 commenced. Where that has happened, the old term is noted, because a lot of information still in circulation uses it.
A to C
ACAT An Aged Care Assessment Team. This term is now out of date. Assessments are handled by a single assessment workforce, and the current term is simply an aged care assessment, carried out by an aged care needs assessor. You will still see the term ACAT used, including in some state health documents.
Aged Care Act 2024 The law that has governed government-funded aged care since 1 November 2025, replacing the Aged Care Act 1997. It introduced the Statement of Rights, registered supporters and registered providers.
Aged care assessment The government assessment that determines what subsidised care someone is eligible for. It is free, it usually happens at home, and almost nothing government funded proceeds without it.
Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission The regulator. It handles complaints about providers and can take action against them.
AN-ACC The funding model used to work out how much the government pays an aged care home for a particular resident's care. It sets the provider's subsidy. For residents on the 1 July 2014 fee arrangements, it also affects the means tested care fee, which is based on their cost of care.
AT-HM scheme The Assistive Technology and Home Modifications scheme. It funds equipment and home modifications for Support at Home participants separately from the quarterly budget, in low, medium and high tiers.
Basic daily fee The standard fee everyone pays in residential aged care, covering meals, laundry, cleaning and utilities. For most residents it is 85% of the single basic Age Pension, and it is indexed every March and September in line with the pension.
CHSP The Commonwealth Home Support Program. Entry level help at home for people who need a small amount of support. It still operates, was not replaced by Support at Home, and in August 2026 its funding was extended to 30 June 2029.
Comprehensive assessment The more detailed of the two assessment types. Required for Support at Home, residential aged care and residential respite.
D to M
DAP A Daily Accommodation Payment. Paying for an aged care room as a daily amount rather than a lump sum.
Home Care Package The former home care funding programme. It closed to new applicants on 1 November 2025 and was replaced by Support at Home. People who already had one were moved across automatically.
Home support assessment The lighter of the two assessment types, used for entry level services through CHSP.
Hotelling contribution A means-tested contribution towards everyday living costs, paid on top of the basic daily fee by some people who entered an aged care home on or after 1 November 2025.
Means assessment The income and assets assessment run by Services Australia that determines how much someone contributes towards their own care.
MPIR The Maximum Permissible Interest Rate. The published rate used to convert a lump sum accommodation payment into a daily one. It changes quarterly.
My Aged Care The government entry point to subsidised aged care, on 1800 200 422. It arranges assessments and lists providers. Care is delivered by aged care providers and the means assessment is done by Services Australia. Complaints about providers go to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission; My Aged Care only takes complaints about its own information and service.
N to Z
No worse off principle A protection for people who were receiving or approved for a Home Care Package on or before 12 September 2024, ensuring they pay the same or less under Support at Home.
Non-clinical care contribution A means-tested contribution towards non-clinical care, such as help with bathing and mobility, for some people who entered an aged care home on or after 1 November 2025. Daily and lifetime caps apply.
OPAN The Older Persons Advocacy Network, on 1800 700 600. Free, independent advocacy. Not connected to providers and not selling anything.
Quality Standards The seven strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards that registered providers are assessed against from 1 November 2025. Which standards apply depends on the type of service.
RAD A Refundable Accommodation Deposit. A lump sum paid for a room in an aged care home, refunded when the person leaves, less any amounts the provider is permitted to deduct.
Registered provider A provider approved to deliver government subsidised aged care. Replaced the older term approved provider.
Registered supporter A person formally recorded as helping someone make their own decisions about aged care. Introduced by the Aged Care Act 2024.
Respite care Short term care so a usual carer can take a break. Available at home, in the community, or in an aged care home.
Retirement village Housing for older people regulated by state and territory retirement villages law, not by the Commonwealth aged care system. It is not an aged care home, and no aged care assessment is needed to move in.
Self-management An arrangement under Support at Home where the older person or their family manages some parts of their care, such as choosing workers and scheduling, while a registered provider stays responsible for the care and services, including care management.
Service list The Department's official list of the services Support at Home can pay for, grouped into clinical supports, independence and everyday living, with named exclusions for each service type.
Star ratings A rating out of five published for residential aged care homes on My Aged Care. There is no equivalent rating for home care providers.
Statement of Rights The set of rights held by people receiving aged care, set out in the Aged Care Act 2024. It replaced the Charter of Aged Care Rights on 1 November 2025.
Support at Home The programme that replaced Home Care Packages on 1 November 2025. It funds ongoing help at home through eight classifications, each with a quarterly budget, and also has short-term classifications for time-limited support.
Transition Care Program Short-term care after a hospital stay, for older people who need more time and support to recover before a long-term decision is made. It must be approved while the person is still in hospital.
If a term is missing
Tell us and we will add it. Send it to hello@agedcarehq.com.au and say where you came across it, which helps us explain it in the right context.