Aged care and disability

Aged Care Information Hubs across Port Phillip libraries 

The City of Port Phillip is partnering with the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care and the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) in a community engagement initiative to promote changes to aged care.  

This partnership aims to make it easier for older people, their families, and carers to: 

• find out about the changes to aged care.  

• access information and engage in conversations about aged care. 

• share their insights and provide feedback on what’s important to them when considering aged care.  

We are hosting an aged care information hub across three of our libraries in the following order:

St Kilda library for six weeks from Monday 9 September - Sunday 20 October 

Port Melbourne library for one week from Monday 21 October - Sunday 27 October 

Emerald Hill library (based in South Melbourne) for one week from Monday 28 October - Sunday 3 November

Albert Park Library for one week from Monday 4 November - Sunday 10 November

The hub will be staffed at particular times during the week by the Aged Care team with times advertised. At other times you can also complete an enquiry form at the library, if you have questions or require further information about aged care services either for yourself, or someone that you care for. 

We will hold some information sessions at the libraries including on some Saturdays.

Accessing aged care and disability services 

My Aged Care is an Australian Government system to give older people one point of contact to access aged care services. People aged 65 years and over (50 years and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) are eligible for aged care services from the Australian Government. You need to be registered with My Aged Care to access new services or if you are an existing client and need new services. 

Phone: 1800 200 422 Monday to Friday 8 am to 8 pm and Saturday 10 am to 12 pm. 

If you need help to register with My Aged Care, please call Council's Community Connector on 03 9209 6882 

If you are aged under 65 years (under 50 years for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) call Councils Community Connector on 03 9209 6882 

You can see all aged care providers located in the City of Port Phillip in the My Aged Care service provider list here. 

Carer Gateway is an Australia-wide network of Carer Gateway service providers.  

Carer Gateway provides a range of free services and support just for carers. Services are delivered in-person, online and over the phone. They will talk through what you need and help you to find local services and support to help you. 

Services include: 

• In person and online peer support groups 
• Tailored support packages 
• Access to emergency respite 
• In person and phone counselling 
• In person and online self – guided coaching
• Online skills course 

By calling 1800 422 737 Monday to Friday between 8am and 5pm and selecting option one, you can speak with your local Carer Gateway service provider.  

For emergency respite, call 1800 422 737 at any time. 

For more information, visit: https://www.carergateway.gov.au/ 

Current Aged Care Services offered by Council

Following the Australian Government's aged care reforms, Council made the difficult decision in 2023 to exit from providing several in-home services for older residents by the end of August 2024. This transition is complete with Council home based aged care staff transitioned out of Council and existing Council Aged Care clients transitioned to local Aged Care service providers with no break in their service delivery. We have some clients aged under 65 who will transition to a new local service by the end of September. 

Council continues to provide a range of community-based services and now provides a new community connector service. The community-based services are: 

• Social Support Groups for people aged 65 and over.
• Delivered meals for people aged 65 and over.
• Community transport (a free hop on and off bus). 

Community Connector Service 

The City of Port Phillip has a new Community Connector role. This role supports older people living in Port Phillip to access and navigate the Aged Care system and information about carer supports. The Community Connector can connect you to local services and supports that can help you to stay independent at home. The Community Connector can also help to find local community-based services and groups that provide social opportunities to connect to others and can provide information about other local services, including food services and transport options.  

The Community Connector can be contacted on 9209 6882.  

You can also contact the Council customer service team in person at St Kilda or Port Melbourne Council offices or by phone on 9209 6777 who will pass on your request. 

Our community-based services 

There is a range of ways community support staff provide services to help you stay in your own home and be connected to your local community. 

Food Services 

Delivered Meals service (Meals on wheels). 

Our delivered meals service is designed to assist eligible residents aged 65 and over who are having difficulty preparing meals for themselves. You need to be registered with My Aged Care to receive the delivered meals service. 

Meals are delivered to resident’s homes on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and are delivered fresh to be consumed within three days or can be frozen up to two months. The number of meals provided to each eligible resident is based on a needs assessment and can be up to seven meals per week. 

The meals are delivered by Choice Fresh Meals who offer a great variety of nutritional food and can cater to many special dietary requirements including texture modified. Meals are three courses and include a soup/ sandwich, main meal and dessert option. Meal packaging has been designed to be easily heated and is both microwave and oven safe. 

A regular delivery time will be provided with a two – hour window dependent on the suburb of the resident. 

For residents aged under 65 years old, the Delivered Meals service is now provided by Bolton Clarke (formerly known as the Royal District Nursing Service). Call: 1300 22 11 22. 

Social support and recreation 

Social Support Groups  

Port Phillip's Social Support Program provides older residents, those experiencing dementia and who are socially isolated the opportunity to participate in recreation and cultural activities. Programs offer people a social and active experience in a relaxed, safe and fun environment.  The program offers a community transport service to pick up social support group members from their home, and back home again after the activity. Residents need to be registered with My Aged Care to participate in this activity. 

Social support groups consist of: 

• Social groups for older people 
• Exercise and outdoor activities 
• Film outings. 

Contact us 

Our Social Inclusion team is here to help. Get in touch for more details or to make a referral to the Program. 

Phone: 03 9209 6777 and request the Social Support Team Leader. 

For a full list of planned activities available to older people and people with disability, visit: social support and recreation. 

Hop-on Hop-off free community bus 

Council proudly provides a community bus transport service at no cost to users. This service visits local libraries, the South Melbourne Market, shopping strips, medical and community centres. You do not need a phone booking for our community bus service. The bus service has a timetable for every route. Timetables can be picked up from Council ASSIST offices and from Port Phillip libraries. 

The service operates Monday to Friday 8.30am to 3pm. There are over 150 community transport bus stops between Caulfield Hospital, Elwood, South Melbourne Market, Alfred Hospital and St Kilda library. 

For more information, visit: Community bus - City of Port Phillip 

Assistance for those who care for others

Carer information hub 

Council's Carer Information Hub aims to provide you with information and resources to support community members in their role of carer. Local carer support groups and other resources below are just some of the services available in Port Phillip. 

Services for people aged under 65 

The Brotherhood of St. Laurence (BSL) has partnered with the National Disability Insurance Agency to deliver Local Area Coordination in the City of Port Phillip. The NDIS rules have changed in August 2024 and there are stronger access requirements before you can apply to register with the NDIS. The BSL can help you to gather the required evidence and support access to prove your eligibility. This part of the process is called Making Connections. If you are not yet registered with the NDIS It is strongly advised to use the Brotherhood of St. Laurence service, who can assist with this entry point of Making Connections. 

Phone: 1300 275 634 

Email: BSL@ndis.gov.au 

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a service for eligible people with a disability.  

Phone: 1800 800 110 

Visit: www.ndis.gov.au  

Home and Community Care Program for Younger People (HACC PYP) 

The Home and Community Care Program for Younger People (HACC PYP) is a service for people under 65 who need support who are not eligible for the NDIS.  

The HACC PYP service directory has a list of all providers located in the City of Port Phillip on page 139.