Aged care
Aged care in Cairns, explained simply
What support looks like, whether you're eligible, and which funding pathway fits — without the jargon.
Service overview
One provider for support, coordination and the paperwork
QCare supports older Australians to stay at home and in charge — combining hands-on care with the coordination that keeps the whole plan working.
Personal care
Showering, dressing, grooming and continence support from consistent, respectful workers.
Home & domestic help
Cleaning, laundry, linen and light maintenance so home stays safe and comfortable.
Meals & shopping
Meal preparation, nutrition support and help with the weekly shop.
Transport & outings
Appointments, errands and community outings — not just medical trips.
Social support & respite
Companionship, group activities and planned respite for family carers.
Care coordination
One contact managing My Aged Care, providers, allied health and reviews.
Eligibility guide
Are you (or your parent) eligible?
There's no single test — it comes down to age, where you live, and what's becoming hard to manage.
Age
65 or over, or 50 or over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Some younger people in hardship also qualify.
Where you live
You live at home (or want to return home) anywhere across Cairns and Far North Queensland.
What's getting harder
Everyday tasks — showering, cleaning, cooking, driving, remembering appointments — are becoming difficult without help.
Assessment status
You've had a My Aged Care assessment, are waiting for one, or haven't started. All three are fine — we meet you where you are.
Still unsure? A five-minute phone call usually settles it — call our aged care line on 0483 055 737.
Funding pathways
Which pathway fits your situation
Four ways aged care support gets paid for. We work with all of them, and can switch you between them as needs change.
CHSP — entry-level support
A small amount of regular help: cleaning, transport, social support, a bit of personal care.
Best if you're mostly independent and need a hand with one or two things.
Support at Home
The government's main in-home aged care program, with an ongoing budget set by your classification.
Best if you need regular support across several areas of daily life.
Home Care Package (Level 1–4)
If you already hold a package, we deliver supports under it and coordinate your other providers.
Best if you were approved before the transition to Support at Home.
Privately funded
Buy support directly at agreed hourly rates — no assessment, no waiting list, start this week.
Best while you wait for funding, or to top up an existing package.
The flow
From first call to first shift
Privately funded support can skip straight to step 4.
- 1
Call or enquire
Tell us what's happening. We'll say honestly whether you likely qualify and for what.
- 2
Register with My Aged Care
We help you register and prepare for the assessment so nothing important gets missed.
- 3
Assessment & approval
An assessor visits. You're approved for CHSP, Support at Home or a package level.
- 4
Plan your support
We map your funding against what you actually need, and agree a weekly schedule.
- 5
Start and review
Support begins with consistent workers, reviewed regularly as your needs change.
Common questions
Aged care FAQs
Do I need a My Aged Care assessment to start?
Not always. Government-funded support (Support at Home, Home Care Packages, CHSP) requires an assessment, but privately funded support can start straight away with no assessment and no waiting list.
How old do I need to be?
Generally 65 and over, or 50 and over if you identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. Younger people experiencing homelessness or financial hardship may also be eligible.
Can I have both NDIS and aged care supports?
In some situations, yes — and the two systems can overlap. QCare coordinates across both so nothing falls between them.
How long does approval take?
Assessment wait times vary. We help you register and prepare so the assessment goes smoothly, and can provide privately funded support in the meantime.
Want the full service detail?
Our aged care service page covers exactly what our workers do and how support is delivered.
Let's work out what you're eligible for
One phone call is usually enough to know which pathway fits and what happens next.