Ageing on the NDIS and the Aged Care Interface
How the NDIS and aged care fit together: the age-65 rule, staying on your plan, and what to do if you're older and not on the NDIS.
The short answer: how the NDIS and aged care fit together
The age-65 rule: what it actually means
I'm already on the NDIS and turning 65 — what happens?
I'm over 65 with a disability but not on the NDIS
Can you receive NDIS and aged care at the same time?
What each system funds: a quick comparison
How the 2026 NDIS reforms affect older participants
Aged care is changing too
A real scenario
How to decide and what to do next
Frequently asked questions
Will I be kicked off the NDIS when I turn 65?
No. If you joined the NDIS before turning 65, you can stay a participant for as long as you choose — there is no upper age limit once you are in. At 65 the NDIA offers you a choice to stay on the NDIS or move to aged care, but you are not forced to switch.
I'm 67 and have a disability. Can I still apply for the NDIS?
No, not as a new applicant. You must make your NDIS access request before your 65th birthday. If you are 65 or over and were never a participant, your pathway is aged care through My Aged Care on 1800 200 422, and possibly the Disability Support for Older Australians program if you previously had state disability funding.
Can I get NDIS funding and aged care support at the same time?
Generally no — the two systems are not meant to fund the same supports at once. You receive your disability support from one system or the other. This is why the choice existing participants make at age 65 matters: you are choosing which system will provide your support, not combining both.
I'm on the NDIS and nearly 65 — will the 2026 reforms change my supports?
The reforms do not remove critical daily-living and personal-care supports. The main change is a reduced budget for social and community participation supports, applied progressively as plans renew from 1 October 2026, and its impact depends on how you currently use your plan. Confirm what applies to you with the NDIA, as dates have already shifted once.
Should I stay on the NDIS or move to aged care at 65?
There is no single right answer — it depends on what supports you already have and what suits you. Many people stay on the NDIS to keep providers and routines that work; others prefer aged care. Because you usually cannot return to the NDIS after leaving, get advice from a support coordinator or an independent advocate before deciding.