NDIS vs Aged Care: What’s the Difference and Which One Is Right for You?
Two of the most important support systems in Australia are the NDIS and the aged care system. Both help people get the support they need to live their lives. But they’re designed for different situations, funded differently, and accessed differently.
If you or someone you care for in Ballina, Lismore, or the Northern Rivers is trying to work out which one applies to them, this guide will help.
What is the NDIS?
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a federal government program that funds support for Australians living with a permanent and significant disability. It is not age-based. You can access the NDIS at any age, as long as you apply before you turn 65.
The NDIS funds a wide range of supports: daily living assistance, community participation, supported independent living, capacity building, and more. Each participant gets an individual plan with funding tailored to their goals and needs.
Learn more about how to access NDIS support in Ballina and Lismore.
What is the Aged Care System?
The aged care system supports older Australians who need help to live independently as they age. The main in-home program is the Support at Home program, which launched in November 2025.
Aged care is generally for people aged 65 and over (or 50 and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people). Like the NDIS, it’s funded by the federal government and accessed through an assessment process.
What’s the Key Difference?
The simplest way to think about it is this:
The NDIS is for people with disability, regardless of age (as long as you apply before 65).
Aged care is for older Australians who need support because of the ageing process, not necessarily because of a specific disability.
In practice, there is overlap. Some older Australians have both a disability and age-related needs. And some people with disability are approaching 65 and need to understand what happens to their supports.
What Happens When You Turn 65 and You’re on the NDIS?
If you’re already an NDIS participant and you turn 65, you don’t lose your NDIS funding automatically. You can choose to stay on the NDIS or move to aged care. Most people in this situation stay on the NDIS because their existing plan already covers their needs.
If you’re approaching 65 and you’re not yet on the NDIS, you will not be able to apply for the NDIS after your 65th birthday. Once you’re 65, aged care is the relevant system.
If you’re unsure, talk to your current support coordinator or contact the NDIA on 1800 800 110.
Can You Access Both the NDIS and Aged Care?
In most cases, you access one or the other, not both at the same time for the same types of support. The two systems are designed not to duplicate each other.
However, there are some situations where a person may access supports from both systems, particularly if they have complex or overlapping needs. This is assessed case by case.
Why Greater Support Works Across Both
Most providers in the Northern Rivers do one or the other: NDIS support or aged care. Greater Support does both.
That means if your situation is complex, or if your needs are changing as you age, you don’t need to find a new provider or start the relationship from scratch. We understand both systems and we work with participants across the full range of needs in Ballina, Lismore, and the Northern Rivers.
Whether you’re on the NDIS, accessing aged care through Support at Home, self-funded, or still working out which system applies to you, we help you understand your options and get the right support in place.
Not Sure Where You Fit?
That’s completely normal. These systems are complex, and most people haven’t had to navigate them before. We’re happy to talk through your situation and help you work out what applies.
Learn more about our NDIS supports | Learn more about our Aged Care services | In-Home Aged Care in Ballina and Lismore
Greater Support is an NDIS registered provider delivering personalised disability, aged care, and family support services in Ballina, Lismore, Northern Rivers NSW, Sydney, Brisbane, and Logan City.
