Care types in Australia

Dementia care

Specialised dementia care recognises that residents with cognitive decline need different physical environments, staffing ratios + clinical pathways from standard residential care. Australia has an estimated 487,500 people living with dementia (Dementia Australia 2025). Of those in residential aged care, ~52% have a dementia diagnosis.

Palliative care

Palliative care in residential aged care is end-of-life care delivered on-site, avoiding hospital transfer in the final weeks or days. Australian residential aged-care homes that offer palliative pathway capability allow residents to die in place — supported by their familiar staff, in their own room — when this aligns with their advance care directive.

Respite care

Respite care is short-term residential aged care — typically 1 to 9 weeks — designed to give family carers a break or to cover periods when a senior cannot safely live at home (post-surgery recovery, carer illness, planned holidays). Around 72,000 Australians use residential respite each year per AIHW.

Home Care Package

A Home Care Package (HCP) is a federally subsidised bundle of in-home support services for older Australians who want to stay living at home. The Commonwealth funds the package; an approved provider organises the care; you (and your family) direct what services are delivered. Around 220,000 Australians hold an active package at any one time per Department of Health.

CHSP (Commonwealth Home Support Programme)

The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) is the entry-level, low-intensity home-support program for older Australians needing some help to remain at home. It is distinct from Home Care Packages – smaller in scale, simpler to access, much faster to start. Around 840,000 Australians use CHSP services in a typical year per AIHW.

Transition Care Programme

The Transition Care Programme (TCP) is a short-term, federally-funded rehabilitation program for older Australians leaving hospital – designed to help recover function + decide on a longer-term care pathway. Typical stay is 6–8 weeks (maximum 12 weeks, with one possible extension). Around 25,000 Australians complete a TCP episode each year per AIHW.

Secure dementia (Memory Support Unit)

A Secure Dementia Unit, also called a Memory Support Unit (MSU), is a locked area within a residential aged-care home specifically designed for residents with dementia who wander, exit-seek or whose safety would be at risk in a standard care setting. Distinct from general dementia care – secure units add a physical environment + clinical regime built around residents whose cognitive decline has progressed to a stage where they cannot independently navigate doors and exits safely.