Here's the short answer. If you're under 65 and you have a permanent disability, NDIS is the relevant program. If you're 65 or over, the aged care system applies. That's the rule.

The real-world version is messier. People turn 65 while they're already on NDIS. Some conditions develop later in life and would have qualified earlier. Some people fall awkwardly between the two systems and feel like neither works for them. This guide explains the actual rules, the exceptions, and what to do when you're not sure where you fit.

The age cutoff and why it matters

NDIS eligibility cuts off at 65. To get onto NDIS, you need to make your access request before your 65th birthday. After that, your options shift to the aged care system, which is funded and run by a different government department under the Aged Care Act.

The two systems are designed to do different things. NDIS funds disability support — meaning supports you need because of a permanent disability. Aged care funds support related to ageing — frailty, dementia, age-related decline. There's overlap (both systems fund things like personal care and household help), but the philosophies are different.

NDIS is participant-directed. You choose your providers, you decide how to use your funding, you can change things as your circumstances change. Aged care has more centralised assessment, fixed packages, and providers that play a larger gatekeeping role.

For most people approaching 65, the difference matters because NDIS funding levels are usually higher than aged care funding levels for similar needs. NDIS Core Supports for someone with significant disability commonly run into hundreds of thousands of dollars a year. A high-level Home Care Package — the closest aged care equivalent — caps out at around $66,000 per year (Level 4). That's a real gap.

The transition question for people approaching 65

If you're 64 and have a permanent disability, get your NDIS access request in. Don't wait. Even if you're not sure you qualify, the application is free and a decision before 65 keeps the option open.

If you're approved before 65 and your plan is in place, you stay on NDIS for life. You don't get pushed off when you hit 65. You can choose to move to aged care if you want, but you don't have to.

If you turn 65 before applying, NDIS is closed to you. You'd need to access aged care through My Aged Care instead. There are limited exceptions if you can show your application was lodged before you turned 65 and was unreasonably delayed by NDIA — but this is hard to argue.

What NDIS covers that aged care doesn't

A few things stand out.

NDIS funds Capacity Building supports — meaning therapy, skill development, employment support, life skills programs. These are oriented around helping you do more, build independence, take part in community life. Aged care doesn't really have an equivalent. Aged care assistance is mostly about helping you with what you can no longer do, not building capacity.

NDIS pays for Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) and Supported Independent Living (SIL) for participants who need housing designed for their disability. Aged care has residential aged care, which is a different model with different funding rules.

NDIS funds assistive technology and home modifications at higher caps than aged care. If you need a complex powered wheelchair or major home renovations to accommodate disability, NDIS funds at levels aged care can't match.

NDIS also funds support coordination — meaning a person whose job is to help you understand your plan, connect with providers, and navigate the system. Aged care relies more on the providers themselves and on My Aged Care.

What aged care does that NDIS doesn't

Aged care funds residential aged care (nursing homes), respite within a residential setting, and palliative care services within aged care providers. NDIS generally doesn't fund these.

Aged care also includes aged care assessments through the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT), which look at your overall situation including any chronic disease, cognitive decline, and social factors. The assessment process is different from NDIS planning.

What to do if you're unsure

A few things worth considering.

If you have a permanent disability and you're not sure whether NDIS applies, request an NDIS access form before any aged care assessment. You can drop the NDIS application later if you decide aged care suits you better. You can't easily go the other way.

If you're caring for an older parent who's developed disability later in life — for example, after a stroke at 67 — aged care is the path. But check whether the stroke happened before they turned 65, in which case NDIS may still apply.

If you have NDIS now and you're approaching 65, ask your support coordinator or LAC whether your plan can be reviewed before your birthday. Sometimes there are good reasons to lock in supports before the transition window closes.

If you're on aged care and you feel underfunded for the disability-specific parts of your needs, the answer is usually no — you can't switch to NDIS once you've passed 65. But you can request a higher Home Care Package level or seek aged care advocacy support.

Frequently asked questions

Can I be on NDIS and aged care at the same time?

Generally, no. NDIS rules don't allow you to receive support from both schemes for the same purpose. There's a small overlap window if you transition between them, but you can't double-dip.

I'm 67 and I just had a stroke. What do I do?

Aged care is your pathway. Contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 to request an assessment. The ACAT team will assess your needs and recommend a Home Care Package level or residential care if appropriate.

My mother has dementia and is 70. Does she qualify for NDIS?

No. Dementia diagnosed after 65 is supported through aged care, not NDIS. There's an exception if she had a separate qualifying disability before 65, but a dementia diagnosis on its own doesn't open NDIS access.

I had a disability my whole life but never applied for NDIS. I'm 64 now. Should I bother?

Yes. If you're under 65 with a qualifying disability, apply now. Don't assume you'll be rejected. NDIS funding for someone with significant lifelong disability is usually substantially higher than what aged care can provide, and once you're on NDIS, you stay on it.

If you're navigating this transition and need help thinking through the options, talk to a registered NDIS provider or contact your local LAC. Seareal works with NDIS participants across Queensland and can help you understand what your plan covers if you're already approved.