As people age and the prospect of aged care becomes more relevant, it’s natural to start thinking about what truly matters in later life. For providers of in-home aged care support, understanding the priorities of Australians approaching or at retirement age is important. 

Our research reveals a clear picture of the needs and expectations of older Australians, helping to inform planning and support that can make later life more comfortable and secure.

Older Australians’ priorities when choosing aged care services

When thinking about aged care, the ability to stay in their own home came out on top for older Australians, with 71.6% saying it’s a priority. Quality of care wasn’t far behind, with 70.8% flagging it as important. Affordability also matters, with around three in five people highlighting the cost of care as a key consideration.

Other factors also play a role. Between 44–48% of respondents said things like the reputation of the provider, flexible support that can change as needs evolve, having choice and control over carers, and personalised care tailored to their needs were important. Consistent carers and being close to family and community were also valued by many, with 40% and 36% selecting these options.

Some considerations were less common but still relevant, including speed of access to care (29%), alignment with personal values and beliefs (26%), recommendations from people they trust (24%), and companionship or social interaction (22%). Positive online reviews and cultural or language alignment were among the least selected, chosen by just 11% and 6% of respondents.

On average, people selected about 6 factors each, showing that older Australians think about a mix of practical needs and personal preferences when planning for aged care.

Where do older Australians want to receive care as they age?

Thinking about where they’ll be living and how their needs may change during retirement is a common concern for older Australians, as our recent research shows. But when given a choice, where would most retirees prefer to receive the care they need as they age?

Preferred locations for receiving care in later life by gender

An overwhelming majority of older Australians want to receive care in their own home, with 87.2% indicating this as their preferred option. Of these, more people favoured care from a paid support worker (54.6%) over a family member or unpaid carer (32.6%). Residential aged care was a less popular choice, selected by just 6.9% of respondents. Despite the idea of “granny flats,” only a very small proportion of Australians actually want to receive care in a family member’s home, 1.4% from a family member/unpaid carer, and 3% with a paid support worker.

Looking at gender differences, women were more likely than men to prefer care in their own home with a paid support worker (57.2% vs 51.8%), while men were slightly more inclined to receive care from a family member or unpaid carer (36.4% vs 29.1%).

These findings highlight that older Australians value independence and professional support, while still recognising the important role family plays in their care.

Preferred locations for receiving care in later life by state

Regionally, South Australians were most likely to want to stay at home with a paid support worker, above the national average of 55%, while Western Australians were least likely at 51%. Western Australians also stood out for preferring care from a family member at home (39%), higher than the national average of 33%. Victorians were close to the national average on most options, with 53% wanting care at home with a paid support worker, while Queenslanders were slightly more likely than average to choose residential aged care at 10%. Very few Australians, around 1–3%, wanted to live in a family member’s home, whether with a paid or unpaid carer.

These findings highlight that older Australians value independence and professional support, while still recognising the important role family plays in their care.

Common perceptions of aged care among older Australians 

Many Australians hold stereotypes and preconceptions about aged care – from residential facilities to in-home support – which may explain why so many retirees, and those approaching retirement, haven’t started saving or don’t plan to. For many, it’s seen as something they’ll never need.

Older Australians’ perceptions of aged care

Over half (53.1%) of surveyed Australians felt that accessing aged care can be complicated, with slightly more women than men sharing this view (55.5% vs 50.6%). The second most common perception was that entering aged care means a loss of choice and control (29.9%).

A notable share of people also believed aged care was mainly for wealthy Australians (27%) or something you only need if you’re frail, sick (22.2%), or very old (21.9%). But in reality, accessing aged care services earlier than you desperately need them can actually help people stay independent for longer by providing support with everyday tasks before health issues become overwhelming.

Interestingly, one in five Australians (20.2%) thought government funding covers most aged care costs. This may suggest that many people are not fully aware of the financial realities of aged care – particularly as reforms continue to change how government funding is structured and how much individuals are expected to contribute.

By state, South Australians were most likely to say aged care is complicated (60.5% vs 53.1% nationally), Victorians more often associated it with moving into a nursing home (30.6% vs 25.4%), and both Victorians and Western Australians were more likely to see it as mainly for the wealthy (31.3% and 32.1% vs 27%). New South Wales residents were the most likely to believe government funding covers most costs (21.7%), further highlighting potential gaps in awareness about the reforms.

Overall, the findings show that many Australians see aged care as complicated, expensive, or only for the very old and frail. In reality, accessing support earlier can help maintain independence, but the understanding of costs and upcoming reforms is limited. Perceptions also vary by state, highlighting the need for clear information to help people plan for the future.