Governa Glossary

War widow and widower pensions provide vital financial support to the surviving partners of veterans. These government payments are generally non-taxable and are treated differently in aged care assessments, often reducing or eliminating means-tested care fees for residential or home care services. Understanding how these pensions interact with aged care fees can help recipients plan their finances and maintain access to essential services.

This guide explains aged care support options for Australian veterans and war widows/widowers. It covers eligibility for government-funded aged care services, access to Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) support, and how pensions affect aged care fees. The article highlights the importance of recognising the unique needs of this group to ensure respectful and appropriate care.

The System Governor plays a vital role in Australia’s aged care system, overseeing service quality, continuity, and fair access for older Australians. This post explains its responsibilities, including policy development, provider accountability, and initiatives like Star Ratings, ensuring that aged care services are reliable, safe, and equitable.

Substitute decision-making is used when an older person can no longer make important decisions on their own. A substitute decision-maker steps in to make choices about medical treatment, personal care, and living arrangements. Their role is to follow the person’s known wishes or act in their best interests when those wishes are not clear. Families can plan ahead by legally appointing someone they trust, and any valid Advance Care Directive must be followed. Understanding how substitute decision-making works helps ensure the person’s rights, preferences, and wellbeing remain at the centre of care.

Supported decision making is a rights-based approach that helps you stay in control of your life as you receive aged care services. Instead of others making choices for you, this approach focuses on giving you the information, tools, and support you need to make your own decisions. This support can come from family members, friends, or independent advocates who help you understand options and express your preferences.

The Aged Care Statement of Rights outlines the protections every older person can expect when receiving funded aged care services in Australia. It affirms core rights such as independence, choice, equitable access, quality and safe care, privacy, and clear communication. The Statement also ensures that individuals can speak up, provide feedback, or make complaints without fear of unfair treatment. For providers, it establishes clear responsibilities to act in line with these rights and demonstrate genuine understanding in daily practice. This framework places the dignity, identity, and preferences of the older person at the centre of all care decisions.

Self-advocacy is the ability to speak up for your needs, preferences, and rights when receiving aged care. It helps maintain autonomy, ensure quality services, and improve communication with care providers. By asking questions, expressing preferences, raising concerns, and keeping simple records, individuals can take an active role in directing their care. When extra support is needed, family, friends, or independent advocates can help ensure the person’s voice remains central to all decisions.

Sanctions in Australian Aged Care are serious regulatory actions taken when a provider fails to meet required quality and safety standards. This article explains what sanctions are, why they are imposed, and the steps that lead to them, including Notices to Remedy and decisions by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission. It outlines common sanction conditions, their impact on providers, and what they mean for residents. The summary also answers key questions about sanction duration, consequences for ongoing non-compliance, how to find sanctioned facilities, and resident rights. The goal is to help readers clearly understand how sanctions protect the safety and wellbeing of older Australians.

A Registered Supporter is a formally recognised role under the new Australian Aged Care Act. This role helps an older person understand information, explore their options, and communicate their decisions about aged care services. The supporter does not make decisions on behalf of the person. Instead, they strengthen the older person’s ability to make their own choices. The Registered Supporter may request information from providers, explain options, and assist the older person in expressing their preferences. The role is overseen by the System Governor to ensure transparency, accountability, and protection of the older person’s rights.

This guide explains the meaning and purpose of the Aged Care Quality Standards in Australia. It outlines all eight standards and describes how they support safe and high-quality care for older people. It also explains how the standards are used in daily practice, how providers show compliance, and how the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission oversees quality across the sector. The guide helps families, carers, and providers understand what the standards are, why they matter, and how they protect the rights and well-being of older Australians.

The National Aged Care Advocacy Program (NACAP) provides free, confidential, and independent support to older Australians receiving aged care services. The program helps individuals understand their rights, resolve concerns with providers, and navigate both informal and formal complaints processes.

An Independent Aged Care Advocate provides impartial support to older people and their families as they navigate the aged care system. They protect rights, clarify care options, assist with complaints, support decision making, and guide individuals through assessments and service arrangements. Their independence ensures unbiased advice focused solely on the wellbeing of the care recipient.

A guardianship order is a legal mechanism put in place by a court when an individual is no longer able to make decisions about their own personal and/or financial affairs due to incapacity.

The term Extra Service Fee is commonly heard when discussing residential Aged Care, particularly in Australia. It refers to a charge made by aged care providers for an agreed-upon level of services that goes above and beyond the minimum statutory requirements for care and accommodation.

An enduring guardian is a person formally appointed to make lifestyle, health, and medical decisions on someone else's behalf if they lose the ability to make those decisions for themselves.

Planning for later life often involves making arrangements for a time when you might need help managing your affairs. A very important legal tool in this planning is an Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA), sometimes simply referred to as an enduring attorney.

The term "decision-making ability" refers to a person's capability to make an informed choice. In the context of aged care, this concept is central to respecting an older person’s autonomy and dignity, guiding everything from daily routines to complex medical treatments and legal matters. When a person has decision-making ability, they are considered capable of making choices for themselves.

A conflict of interest arises when a person or organization has multiple interests—one of which could corrupt the motivation for an act in the other. In the context of Aged Care, this situation typically involves a clash between the professional duty to provide high-quality, person-centered care to an older person, and a secondary personal or financial interest that could improperly influence that duty.

The Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) is an important government-subsidized service in the Australian aged care system. It is designed to provide entry-level, ongoing support for older Australians who need some assistance to remain living independently and safely in their own homes and communities.

The term "capacity" carries significant weight, especially when discussing the care and well-being of older adults. In the context of aged care, capacity refers to a person's legal ability to make their own decisions. This includes decisions about medical treatment, financial matters, living arrangements, and daily activities.

In the Australian aged care system, understanding the roles of different support structures is important. Among these structures is the Agent organisation.

The journey into aged care can bring many questions, particularly concerning costs. When reviewing the services offered by different providers, you will often encounter the phrase "additional services/items provided at no cost."

Advocacy is about speaking up for oneself or for another person, group, or cause. It is a fundamental mechanism that supports fairness, access, and respect for rights.

The journey through Aged Care often involves making important choices regarding a loved one's well-being, health, and finances. When an older person is unable to make these decisions themselves, a legally recognized figure steps in: the Active, Appointed Decision Maker.

Unstructured data refers to information that does not reside in a fixed, row-and-column format. Unlike structured data, which is neatly organized in databases and spreadsheets, unstructured data comes in many forms and lacks an inherent organizational structure.

Structured data refers to data that is highly organized and presented in a fixed format so that it is easily readable and searchable by both humans and computer systems.

An API, or Application Programming Interface, is a set of rules and protocols that allows different software applications to communicate with one another.

Personally Identifiable Information, often called PII, refers to data that can be used on its own or with other information to identify, contact, or locate a single person, or to identify an individual in context. In the highly sensitive sector of aged care, protecting PII is fundamental to maintaining trust and complying with legal requirements.

Role Based Access Control (RBAC) is a security model that restricts system access to authorized users. This method grants permissions based on a person’s role within an organization, such as a job function, rather than assigning individual permissions to every user.

Retrieval-Augmented Generation, commonly known as RAG, is an artificial intelligence (AI) architecture that significantly improves the quality and reliability of outputs from large language models (LLMs). At its core, RAG works by granting LLMs access to external, up-to-date knowledge bases before generating a response to a user's query.

Learn what a vector database is and how this technology transforms search across unstructured and structured data like clinical notes, PDFs, and more.

Natural Language Processing (NLP) and its role in aged care software. Learn how this AI technology improves communication and patient outcomes.

Discover what Semantic Meaning Mapping is and how it helps systems understand the underlying significance of data for better decision making.

Discover what Large Language Models (LLMs) are, how they function, and their growing applications in technology and communication. A simple guide.

Understand AI hallucination, where models generate false or nonsensical information. Learn how quality data and system constraints limit this risk.

Uncover how Aged Care Star Ratings work. This guide breaks down the 4 sub-categories (Residents' Experience, Compliance) to help you pick the right home. Read the full guide.

Care Minutes set the minimum amount of direct care time each aged care resident must receive each day. They ensure facilities have enough qualified staff to meet residents’ clinical, personal, and emotional needs.

The Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) is the government’s funding model for residential aged care, linking subsidies directly to the assessed care needs of residents. It replaces the Aged Care Funding Instrument (ACFI) with an independent, needs-based system designed to be fairer, less administrative, and more focused on quality care delivery.

The 7 Aged Care Quality Standards set the national benchmark for safe, person-centred aged care in Australia. They ensure every provider delivers accountable, respectful, and high-quality support across all care settings.

Whistleblower protections in aged care encourage people to speak up about wrongdoing without fear. These laws promote transparency, accountability, and safer care for everyone.

The Higher Everyday Living Fee (HELF) is a new optional charge in Australian aged care for residents who choose premium everyday living services. It enhances fairness and consumer protection by ensuring participation is voluntary, transparent, and supported by strong safeguards.

Dignity of Risk recognises every person’s right to make their own choices, even when those choices involve some level of risk. In aged care, it encourages carers to support informed decision-making rather than restrict autonomy, helping older people live meaningful and independent lives.

Australia’s Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS) is a national framework that protects older people in government-funded aged care by preventing, managing, and reporting serious incidents such as abuse, neglect, and unexpected deaths. It requires all Commonwealth-funded providers to maintain an incident management system and report priority incidents to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission within strict timeframes.

Security of tenure in aged care is a fundamental legal right that guarantees permanent residents a secure place to live, preventing them from being forced to leave their residential aged care home without a specific, legally defined reason. If an aged care provider must ask a resident to leave, they are required to follow a strict process, which includes finding suitable and affordable alternative accommodation before any move can occur.

Wellness is the ongoing practice of caring for your body, mind, and relationships to live a healthier, happier, and more balanced life.

A wallet check is the routine of reviewing your wallet to ensure you have all essential items like ID, cash, cards, and documents before leaving home.

The Veterans’ Supplement is a financial payment provided to eligible veterans to help with extra living and healthcare costs related to their military service.

Veterans' Home Care is support provided to help veterans live independently at home by offering services like personal care, nursing, and household assistance based on their needs.

Veteran and war widow/widower pensioners are individuals who receive financial support due to their or their spouse’s military service, recognizing their sacrifices with ongoing assistance for their well-being.

Transport services help people and goods move from one place to another, making daily life, business, and travel possible through systems like public transport, private vehicles, and commercial delivery.

A translating and interpreting service helps people who speak different languages understand each other by converting written or spoken words, making communication clear and accessible in important settings like healthcare, legal matters, and education.

Transition care is short-term support that helps people move smoothly from one stage of care to another—like from hospital to home—so they can recover safely and confidently with the right kind of help.

A supported resident is someone who lives in a care setting and receives personalized help with daily tasks and health needs, allowing them to live safely, comfortably, and with dignity.

A support plan is a personalized guide that outlines the care and help someone needs in their daily life, making sure they get the right support to reach their goals and live well.

Staying physically active means moving your body regularly through fun and healthy activities like walking, dancing, or playing sports to keep your mind and body strong.

A staffing policy is a set of clear rules that guide how a business hires, manages, and supports its employees to ensure fairness, organization, and legal compliance.

Staff on-site means employees are physically present at the workplace, helping boost teamwork, provide quick support, and keep things running smoothly and safely.

A staff development and training policy is a clear plan that shows how a workplace supports learning and growth, helping workers feel valued, prepared, and ready to succeed.

Staff development and training help workers grow their skills, stay confident, and work better together—building stronger teams and safer, more caring workplaces.

Specified care and services are clearly written plans that ensure people get the exact help they need—personalised, consistent, and delivered with care.

Discover how culturally respectful services empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through care that honours identity, connection, and community.

Specialised programs for people with a particular health condition are carefully designed support plans that help individuals manage their illness, stay healthy, and live more comfortably.

Specialised programs for people with a particular disability are carefully designed to support individual needs, helping each person learn, grow, and thrive in their own way.

Special relationships are meaningful bonds built on trust, care, and mutual support that help people feel valued, connected, and less alone.

Special needs groups include people who may need extra support because of physical, mental, emotional, or learning challenges, and with the right help, they can thrive just like anyone else.

Social support means having people in your life who care, listen, and help you through life’s ups and downs—whether it's with kind words, practical help, or simply being there.

Social leave is a special time away from a residential aged care home that lets residents reconnect with loved ones, celebrate special occasions, and enjoy life outside the facility while keeping their place and care needs in mind.

Short-term care provides temporary support—like help after surgery, during illness, or to give caregivers a break—so people can recover safely and comfortably before returning to their regular routine.

Services and items available at a cost means you have to pay money to use certain help or buy specific things because they take time, skill, or materials to provide.

A service provider is someone who helps others by doing tasks or offering support, rather than selling physical products.

A self-funded retiree, also known as a non-pensioner, is someone who pays for their retirement using personal savings, superannuation, or investments instead of relying on government pension payments.

Rights are the freedoms and protections everyone is given, while responsibilities are the actions we’re expected to take to show respect and help create a fair and caring community. 4o

Respite care is temporary support for someone with daily needs, giving their regular caregiver a much-needed break while ensuring the person still receives quality care in a safe and supportive environment.

Residential aged care is a supportive living option for older adults who need daily help with personal care, medical needs, and feeling safe at home.

A Resident Agreement in aged care outlines the terms of your stay, detailing the services, costs, and your rights and responsibilities to ensure transparency and quality care.

A resident in aged care is someone who lives in a care facility and is entitled to personalized care, rights, and responsibilities, contributing to the facility's community.

Rent assistance helps older Australians cover housing costs, providing financial support to make rent more affordable and maintain stability in aged care.

Rehabilitation in aged care helps older adults regain strength, mobility, and independence after illness or injury through personalized therapy and support.

A Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD) is an upfront payment for aged care accommodation in Australia, fully refundable when you leave, minus any agreed deductions.

A Refundable Accommodation Contribution (RAC) is a government-assessed payment for aged care accommodation in Australia, refunded when you leave the facility.

A power of attorney allows you to appoint someone to make decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so, ensuring your finances, health, and aged care needs are managed.

Phone counselling provides confidential support to older Australians, helping them manage emotional challenges and mental well-being in aged care settings.

Personal care in aged care involves assisting with daily tasks like bathing, dressing, and grooming, all while respecting your dignity and preferences to maintain independence.

A peak body represents aged care providers, advocating for better policies, funding, and standards to improve care for older Australians.

Partners in Culturally Appropriate Care helps aged care providers support older Australians from diverse backgrounds by respecting their language, traditions, and beliefs.

A part-pensioner receives a reduced Age Pension based on income and assets, which can help with living costs, aged care expenses, and government benefits.

Palliative care provides comfort, support, and dignity for people with serious illnesses, focusing on pain relief, emotional well-being, and quality of life.

A nursing home provides care, support, and a safe living environment for older adults who need assistance with daily activities and medical needs.

Nursing care in aged care is more than just medical support—it’s a lifeline of skilled, compassionate care that keeps you safe, comfortable, and in control of your health as you age.

A Non-Compliance Notice (NCN) is a red flag for aged care providers, signaling they must improve care quality—because you deserve safe, respectful, and high-standard support as you age.

A nominee is your trusted representative, helping you manage aged care, finances, and government services—so you stay in control while getting the support you need.

Stay connected and independent with the National Relay Service—a vital phone service that helps older Australians with hearing or speech difficulties make calls effortlessly and stay in touch with loved ones.

Learn how the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care Program brings culturally respectful, community-driven care to elders—so they can age with dignity while staying connected to home, family, and country.

Discover how the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Aged Care Strategy ensures First Nations elders receive culturally safe, respectful, and community-driven care—because aging should feel like home.

The means-tested care fee is a payment some aged care residents make based on their income and assets. It helps cover care costs, with limits to prevent financial strain.

Meals in aged care provide essential nutrition, support health, and improve well-being. Balanced diets help older adults maintain strength, prevent illness, and enjoy life.

A living will is a legal document that outlines a person's medical care preferences if they become unable to communicate, ensuring their treatment aligns with their wishes.

A live-in setting in aged care provides full-time support for older adults in a residential facility or private home, ensuring continuous care, safety, and social engagement.

An independent advocate supports the rights of older people by providing unbiased advice, guidance, and representation, ensuring they receive fair treatment and proper care.

Independent Living Centres are community-based organizations that provide support, advice, and social opportunities to help older people maintain independence and live comfortably at home.