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Financial and legal help overview
Often people receiving care will be concerned about their finances, so it helps to know where you or your carer can obtain information about these issues.
- Costs for different types of care
- Government help
- Rights and responsibilities
- Legal issues
- Complaints or queries
Costs for different types of care
Costs for community care services will vary, according to the kind of help and the number of hours you require.Read more: About costs for different types of care
Government help
If you are eligible, financial assistance for you and/or your carer may be available in many forms, including the Disability Support Pension, the Mobility Allowance, the Carer Payment and the Carer Allowance.Read more: About Government help
Rights and responsibilities
Community care service providers must comply with their obligations under laws such as the Aged Care Act 1997 (more information).Read more: About rights and responsibilities
Legal issues
Solicitors, state or territory guardianship authorities, public advocate(s) and/or public trustee offices may provide information about legal matters such as power of attorney or guardianship.Read more: About legal issues
Complaints or queries
If you have any concerns about the care being provided, it’s often best to raise your concerns, in the first instance, with your service provider. However, if you’re unable to resolve the issue or prefer not to complain directly to your service provider, the Aged Care Complaints Investigation Scheme (more information) is a free service that seeks to resolve your complaints about your health, safety and/or welfare – and it’s available to your relatives, guardians or representatives as well.Also, each state and territory has a free Aged Care Advocacy Service (more information). An advocate may help you understand the information you’re given and speak to your service provider on your behalf.
Read more: About how to make a complaint