Choosing between respite care, a nursing home, or assisted living can be overwhelming—especially when you’re navigating the aged care system for the first time. Each option offers a different level of support, cost structure, and living environment, making it essential to understand which suits your situation best. In this guide, we break down the differences clearly, helping you or your loved one make an informed, confident decision about short-term or long-term care in Australia.
What is Respite Care?
Respite care provides temporary support for someone who usually receives care from a family member. It's designed to give carers a break while ensuring the person in care receives professional support.
Respite can last for a few hours, overnight, or several weeks. It can take place in the person’s home, at a day centre, or in a residential aged care facility.
Use cases:
- A carer needs a break or has an emergency
- A person recovering after surgery
- A trial run before entering full-time care
What is a Nursing Home? (Residential Aged Care)
Nursing homes—also known as residential aged care facilities—offer long-term, 24/7 support for people with complex medical or cognitive needs. They’re ideal for older Australians with dementia, frailty, or chronic illness who can no longer live safely at home.
These facilities are regulated by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission and require an ACAT assessment to determine eligibility.
Services include:
- Nursing care, medication management
- Assistance with bathing, dressing, meals
- Palliative and dementia care
What is Assisted Living? (Retirement Living Explained)
In Australia, “assisted living” is often delivered through retirement villages or independent living units (ILUs) that offer optional services like housekeeping, meal delivery, and 24/7 emergency response.
Residents maintain independence while accessing light support. This is best suited for seniors who don’t yet need daily medical care but want a safe and social environment.
Typical services:
- Maintenance-free housing
- Social activities and outings
- Optional add-ons like meals and domestic help
Note: These are usually not government-subsidised and are privately funded.
Key Differences Explained
Duration of Stay
- Respite Care: Temporary (days or weeks)
- Nursing Home: Permanent or long-term
- Assisted Living: Ongoing residential arrangement
Level of Care Provided
- Respite: Varies from supervision to high-level care
- Nursing Home: Intensive 24/7 medical and personal care
- Assisted Living: Minimal—focused on independence and lifestyle
Cost & Funding
- Respite Care: Subsidised by My Aged Care, CHSP, or NDIS (plus daily fees)
- Nursing Home: Subsidised but includes Daily Accommodation Payment (DAP) or Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD)
- Assisted Living: Largely private pay, entry fees and monthly service charges
Eligibility Requirements
- Respite Care: Requires ACAT or NDIS assessment for subsidised care
- Nursing Home: Must be approved by an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT)
- Assisted Living: Age-qualified (usually 65+), independent, self-funded
Typical User
- Respite Care: An older adult needing short-term care or a carer seeking relief
- Nursing Home: A senior with significant mobility or cognitive decline
- Assisted Living: A healthy senior seeking convenience, safety, and community
Which Option Is Right for You or Your Loved One?
Choose Respite Care if:
- You’re a family carer needing a break
- Your loved one is recovering from illness or surgery
- You want to trial aged care without committing
Choose a Nursing Home if:
- Your loved one has high-level, complex care needs
- They require round-the-clock support and supervision
- Home is no longer a safe or suitable environment
Choose Assisted Living if:
- You (or your parent) are mostly independent
- You’re looking for a community lifestyle with optional support
- You're planning ahead and want a low-maintenance lifestyle
Real-Life Scenarios
Mary, 76, Widowed and Active
Mary enjoys her independence but doesn’t want to manage house maintenance. She moves into an assisted living apartment with social outings, communal dining, and optional laundry help.
George, 84, Post-Hip Surgery
George needs support for 3 weeks while his daughter recovers from surgery. He enters a residential respite care program at a local nursing home with physiotherapy and meal support.
Joan, 90, Advanced Dementia
Joan has high care needs, mobility issues, and requires full-time support. Her family transitions her into a nursing homefor long-term palliative and dementia care.
Costs and Government Support Explained
Respite Care
- CHSP and My Aged Care subsidise short-term care
- Basic daily fee applies (approx. $63.82/day in 2025)
- NDIS covers Short Term Accommodation for eligible participants
Nursing Homes
- RAD or DAP models apply for accommodation
- Government contributes via means-tested care subsidy
- Extra-service fees for private rooms or lifestyle upgrades
Assisted Living
- Entry Contribution (varies from $150,000–$600,000+)
- Monthly service fees ($300–$1,000+)
- Optional care add-ons (cleaning, meals, on-call help)
- Not typically subsidised
FAQs
Can you get respite care in a nursing home?
Yes. Many residential aged care facilities offer respite beds for short stays.
Is assisted living the same as aged care?
No. Assisted living focuses on independence, while aged care (nursing homes) offers 24/7 support for high needs.
Can you move from respite to permanent care?
Yes. A person in respite care can transition to permanent placement after assessment and approval.
Is respite care free in Australia?
No, but it is heavily subsidised. A basic daily fee and occasional extras apply.
