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Older person

Information about your rights as an older person, including payments, rebates, care and the right to live in a safe and respectful environment.

Age Pension

You can claim the Age Pension once you reach the pension age.

From 1 July 2023, the Age Pension is 67 years if your birthdate is on or after 1 January 1957. Previously, it was 66 years and 6 months.

To be eligible, you must meet an income and assets test. You must also be an Australian resident, usually for at least 10 years.

There are other payments and supports for people who get the Age pension.

For more information, see Age Pension on the Services Australia website. 

Commonwealth Seniors Health Card

You can apply for a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card to get cheaper medicine under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and other benefits, if you meet the eligibility requirements.

For more information, see Commonwealth Seniors Health Card on the Services Australia website. 

Rebates and concessions

If you are a pensioner, you can apply for a number of rebates and concessions:

Home support services

You can access home support services through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme or Home Care Package depending on your care needs.

You can apply for an assessment online or by calling My Aged Care on 1800 200 422.

For more information, see How to apply for an assessment on the My Aged Care website. 

Aged care

If you can no longer live at home and require ongoing help with everyday tasks, you may want to live in an aged home care (also known as a nursing home or residential aged care facility).

Aged care homes are either government funded or private. There are fees for this type of care.

For more information, see Aged care homes on the My Aged Care website.

If you have concerns about the care you or someone else is receiving in the aged care home, you can make a complaint to the Aged Care Quality Complaints and Safety Commission.

For more information, see Making a complaint on the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission website. 

Planning ahead

Planning ahead involves making arrangements for the future in case you lose your ability to make decisions.

You can:

  • ask a private lawyer to prepare your will to decide who gets your property after you die
  • appoint an Enduring Power of Attorney to make financial decisions for you if you lose capacity
  • appoint an Enduring Guardian to make lifestyle decisions for you if you lose capacity.
  • prepare an Advance Care Directive to let people know what health care treatment you want to have or refuse if you lose capacity.

For more information, see Planning ahead.

For more information, see Planning for end of life on the NSW Government website.

You can use the End of Life Planner on the Service NSW website to help you prepare for end of life tasks and documents.

Elder abuse

You have a right to live in a respectful and safe environment.

Elder abuse can take many different forms. It can be:

  • psychological or emotional abuse
  • neglect
  • financial abuse
  • physical abuse
  • sexual abuse
  • social abuse.

For more information, see Elder Abuse on the Compass website.

For further information, see For the community on the NSW Ageing and Disability Commission website.

If you have concerns about your safety, or the safety of someone else you know, get urgent help.

You can call the Elder Abuse phone line on 1800 353 374 or NSW Ageing and Disability Abuse Helpline on 1800 628 221 for free information and support services for people who experience or witness the abuse of an older person.

Contact us

If you have a legal problem in NSW, Legal Aid NSW is here to help you.

Elder Abuse Service

This service is focused on supporting older people at risk of or experiencing elder abuse.

Adult children living at home

This brochure has information about what to do if you want your adult children to leave your home.

Are you experiencing violence or abuse?

This brochure explains what you can do to protect yourself if you are experiencing violence or abuse from a partner, another family member, or person who lives with you.

Are you a grandparent?

This brochure tells you about different laws that can affect children and their grandparents, your legal options, financial assistance, and where to get help.

Everyone deserves respect

This brochure has information about how the Elder Abuse Service in Gosford can help older people living at the Central Coast and Lower Hunter with legal problems.

Moving in with the family?

This brochure has information that can help you protect your interests if you decide to move in with your adult children.

Planning ahead

This topic has information about appointing another person to make decisions on your behalf if you are no longer able to, and how you want your estate distributed after you die.

Speaking for myself

This brochure has information about planning for later life decision-making and the steps you can take to protect your interests.

They want me to leave

This brochure has information for older people residing in homes that are legally owned by someone else, who may be facing eviction from that home when the owner dies.

Your home and the age pension

This brochure has information about legal issues for older people, in relation to your home and the age pension, including when to notify Centrelink about a change in circumstances.

Who will decide for you if you can't decide?

This brochure has information to help you plan ahead in case you lose the capacity to make your own decisions.

Why make a will?

This brochure has information about wills, including why it is important for everyone to have a will and how to make one.