Aged Care
Transition Care Program Australia: The Complete 2026 Guide
Quick Answer
The Transition Care Program (TCP) is an Australian government program providing short-term care, therapy and support for older Australians who need more recovery time after a hospital stay. It lasts up to 12 weeks, with an average stay of 6–8 weeks, can be delivered at home, in an aged care facility or both, and can only be accessed from hospital.
If someone you love has just been in hospital and the discharge planner has mentioned “transition care,” you are probably trying to understand what it is, whether your family member qualifies, how long it lasts, and what it costs—all while managing the stress of a hospital discharge. This guide answers every question clearly and completely, so you can make a confident decision quickly.
The Transition Care Program (TCP) is one of Australia’s most practical yet least well-known aged care programs. It exists precisely for the situation you are in right now—the gap between hospital and whatever comes next—and it can make a significant difference to recovery, independence, and long-term outcomes for older Australians.
Transition Care Program — Quick Reference 2026
What it is: Short-term care and therapy for older Australians recovering after a hospital stay
How long: Up to 12 weeks — average stay is 6–8 weeks
Where: In your own home, in an aged care facility, or both
Who can access it: Older Australians being discharged from hospital who need more recovery time
Cost — home-based: 17.5% of the basic single Age Pension rate per day
Cost — bed-based: 85% of the basic single Age Pension rate per day
How to access: Assessment by ACAT/ACAS in hospital — referral usually made by hospital staff
Key rule: TCP can only be accessed directly from hospital — not from home
12 weeks
Maximum duration of the Transition Care Program
6–8 weeks
Average actual length of a TCP episode
17.5%
Of Age Pension daily rate — maximum fee for home-based TCP
265
New TCP places created nationally between 2023–2025
Hospital only
TCP can only be accessed during a hospital stay — not from home
What Is the Transition Care Program?
The Transition Care Program (TCP) is a specialist Australian government program that provides short-term care, therapy, and support for older Australians who need more recovery time after leaving the hospital. It sits in the gap between hospital discharge and whatever comes next—whether that is returning home, starting a Support at Home package, or moving into residential aged care.
TCP is not a hospital program. It is not rehabilitation. It is not residential aged care. It is a bridge — time-limited, goal-oriented, and focused entirely on helping each person recover as much function and independence as possible before making any long-term care decisions. The program operates under the Aged Care Act 2024 and is funded jointly by the Australian Government and state and territory governments.
The TCP exists because hospital discharge is one of the highest-risk points in an older person’s care journey. Leaving hospital before full recovery often results in deterioration at home, rapid readmission, or premature entry into permanent residential aged care — outcomes that are worse for the individual and more costly for the health system. TCP provides a structured, supported recovery period that prevents these outcomes and gives families time to plan next steps properly.
For context on the broader aged care system and how TCP fits within it, read our guide to what is aged care in Australia and our guide to the hospital to aged care transition.
Important — TCP can only be accessed from hospital: The Transition Care Program is available to older people who are currently in hospital and are being discharged. You cannot access TCP from home. If you or your family member has already been discharged and is now at home or in another care setting, TCP is not available unless readmitted to hospital. Speak to hospital staff — a social worker or discharge planner — as soon as possible if TCP may be relevant.
Who Is the Transition Care Program For? Eligibility Explained
The TCP is designed for older Australians who have been admitted to hospital and are ready for discharge but need more recovery time before they can safely return home or make long-term care arrangements. To be eligible, a person must meet all of the following criteria.
TCP Eligibility Requirements — All Must Be Met
- Aged 65 or over — or 50 or over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians
- Currently admitted to hospital at the time of TCP referral
- Medically stable and ready for discharge from hospital
- Would benefit from a short period of additional support, therapy, or time to plan longer-term arrangements
- Assessed and approved as eligible by an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) or Aged Care Assessment Service (ACAS) during the hospital stay
- Well enough to participate in the goal-focused programme — TCP is not a hospital or rehabilitation programme
- Not in a situation where longer-term care needs can be immediately addressed without this bridge period
Recovering to Return Home
Older Australians who want to return home but need physiotherapy, occupational therapy, or personal care support while they regain strength, mobility, and confidence after a hospital stay.
Goal: Maximise independence, return home safely
Planning Long-Term Care
Families who need more time to research and arrange longer-term care options — Support at Home, respite, or residential aged care — while the older person is in a safe, supported environment.
Goal: Avoid rushed decisions about long-term care
Complex Discharge Needs
Older Australians with complex home situations — inadequate home environment, no immediate carer support, or waiting for a Support at Home package or residential care place to become available.
Goal: Safe bridge while arrangements are made
What the TCP is not: TCP is not a hospital programme — the person must be medically stable and ready for discharge. It is not a rehabilitation programme — while therapy is provided, TCP is lower intensity than hospital rehabilitation. It is not a permanent care solution — it is time-limited to a maximum of 12 weeks. It is not available to people who are not currently in hospital. And it is not limited to Queensland — TCP operates across all states and territories, delivered by approved providers and coordinated by state and territory government health departments.
How Long Is the Transition Care Program?
The Transition Care Program provides a combined maximum of 12 weeks of support — across both bed-based and home-based settings. These 12 weeks can be used flexibly: all bed-based, all home-based, or a combination of both, depending on the person’s recovery progress and individual circumstances.
In practice, most people do not use the full 12 weeks. The average TCP episode lasts 6–8 weeks. The program is designed to be as short as the person needs — goal-oriented and time-limited by design. Once a person has achieved their recovery goals or has made arrangements for the next stage of care, TCP concludes.
TCP Duration — Key Facts
Maximum duration
12 weeks combined — across bed-based and home-based settings
Average duration
6–8 weeks — most people achieve their goals before the 12-week limit
Can it be extended?
No — 12 weeks is the absolute maximum. Extensions beyond this are not available under the programme rules.
Can it be used more than once?
Yes — a person can access TCP more than once in their lifetime if they are re-hospitalised and again meet the eligibility criteria at the time of a new hospital admission.
When does it start?
TCP begins on the day of hospital discharge — not before. The assessment occurs in hospital, but services start on discharge.
When does it end?
When the person’s goals are achieved, when long-term arrangements are in place, or at the 12-week maximum — whichever comes first.
What Services Does the Transition Care Program Provide?
TCP provides a personalized package of low-intensity therapy and support services, developed in collaboration with the person and their family based on individual recovery goals. The program is goal-oriented — every service is linked to a specific outcome the person is working toward, not simply provided as routine care.
Physiotherapy
Strength and mobility exercises, fall prevention, gait training, and functional movement to support recovery and reduce re-admission risk
Occupational Therapy
Assessment of daily living tasks, home modification recommendations, assistive equipment prescription, and strategies to increase independence in personal care and daily routines
Nursing Support
Wound care, medication management, monitoring of clinical recovery, and coordination with the person’s GP and specialist teams
Personal Care Assistance
Showering, dressing, grooming, and daily personal care support as required — gradually reduced as independence is regained
Speech Pathology
Swallowing assessment and management, communication support — particularly relevant after stroke or neurological events
Social Work and Counselling
Support for the person and family to navigate care decisions, understand options, and manage the emotional aspects of recovery and transition
Podiatry
Foot care assessment and treatment — important for mobility recovery and fall prevention, particularly for people with diabetes or circulatory conditions
Care Coordination and Planning
A TCP Care Coordinator develops and manages the individual care plan, coordinates all services, and supports the person and family to make long-term care arrangements before TCP concludes
What TCP does not include: Medical fees, pathology, radiology, and prescription medicines are not covered by TCP and must be paid separately. TCP also does not include permanent accommodation, long-term aged care services, or services that duplicate what is already being provided through another approved aged care programme. If a person is already receiving Support at Home or residential aged care, they can still access TCP — but services must not overlap.
Bed-Based vs Home-Based TCP: What Is the Difference?
One of the most important decisions in the TCP is whether the person receives care at home, in a residential facility, or a combination of both. The right choice depends on the person’s recovery needs, the safety of their home environment, the availability of family support, and the capacity of local TCP providers.
Home-Based TCP
- TCP services delivered in the person’s own home
- A Care Coordinator develops a care plan before discharge
- Support workers, therapists, and nurses visit regularly
- Person lives at home throughout the TCP episode
- Requires a safe home environment and some capacity for self-management between visits
Fee: 17.5% of basic single Age Pension rate per day
Bed-Based TCP
- Person lives temporarily in a supported setting — usually a wing of an aged care facility
- All meals, accommodation, and daily care are provided
- Higher level of support available — suitable for people needing more intensive recovery
- Therapy and nursing delivered on-site
- Particularly useful when the home is not yet safe or accessible
Fee: 85% of basic single Age Pension rate per day
How Much Does the Transition Care Program Cost?
The majority of TCP costs are covered by the Australian Government and state or territory government subsidies paid to the TCP provider. Participants contribute a fee based on their care setting — home-based or bed-based. The fee is calculated as a percentage of the basic single Age Pension daily rate, which is adjusted by the government twice yearly in March and September in line with Age Pension changes.
| Setting | Maximum Daily Fee | What Is Covered |
|---|---|---|
| Home-Based TCP | 17.5% of the basic single Age Pension daily rate | All TCP services, therapy, nursing, and care coordination are delivered at home |
| Bed-Based TCP | 85% of the basic single Age Pension daily rate | All TCP services plus accommodation and meals in the supported setting |
| Medical services (all settings) | Paid separately by participant | Pathology, radiology, prescription medicines — not included in TCP |
No one is excluded due to inability to pay: If a person cannot afford to contribute the standard TCP fee, the fee can be negotiated with the TCP Care Coordinator based on their capacity to pay. No eligible person is excluded from the Transition Care Program because of financial hardship. DVA Gold Card holders are generally exempt from TCP fees — DVA White Card holders and former prisoners of war should check their specific entitlements. TCP is not covered by private health insurance.
How to Access the Transition Care Program: Step by Step
1
Ask About TCP During the Hospital Stay
Speak to the ward social worker, discharge planner, or nurse and ask directly: “Is our family member eligible for the Transition Care Program?” Hospital staff can initiate a referral on the patient’s behalf. You can also request a referral yourself. Do not wait for someone to mention it — ask early, ideally at least a week before the anticipated discharge date.
2
ACAT/ACAS Assessment in Hospital
An assessor from the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT in most states, ACAS in Victoria) will visit the patient in hospital to assess their eligibility for TCP. This assessment is free. The assessor evaluates recovery needs, home circumstances, available support, and whether TCP is the appropriate next step. In Queensland and other states, this is now coordinated through the Single Assessment System under the Aged Care Act 2024.
3
TCP Place Allocated and Care Plan Developed
If approved, a TCP Care Coordinator is assigned and works with the person, family, and hospital team to develop an individualised care plan before discharge. The care plan sets out specific recovery goals, the services that will be provided, and whether care will be home-based, bed-based, or a combination. A client agreement is signed by the person (or their legally recognised representative) and a TCP staff member before services begin.
4
TCP Begins on Day of Hospital Discharge
Services begin on the day the person leaves hospital. For home-based TCP, a care coordinator ensures all services are in place before the person arrives home. For bed-based TCP, the person transfers directly from hospital to the TCP facility. The 12-week clock starts from the date of discharge.
5
Regular Goal Reviews During TCP
Throughout the TCP episode, the Care Coordinator and therapy team regularly review progress against the agreed goals. The care plan is updated as recovery progresses. If the person is recovering well and goals are achieved before 12 weeks, TCP concludes. If new goals emerge or the situation changes, the plan adapts accordingly.
6
Plan for What Comes After TCP
The TCP is temporary. Before it concludes, the Care Coordinator works with the person and family to ensure long-term arrangements are in place — whether that is returning home with a Support at Home package, moving into respite care, or transitioning to permanent residential aged care. Do not wait until the last week of TCP to start this planning — begin as early as possible in the TCP episode. Read our guide to aged care assessments if you have not yet been assessed for longer-term services.
TCP and the Aged Care Act 2024: What Changed
From 1 November 2025, the Transition Care Program operates under the new Aged Care Act 2024 — Australia’s most significant aged care reform in nearly three decades. The changes affect how TCP is administered, assessed, and how the rights of TCP participants are protected.
New Rights Framework
TCP participants now have legally enforceable rights under the Statement of Rights — including the right to dignity, to make their own decisions, and to raise concerns without fear of retaliation
Single Assessment System
TCP assessments are now integrated into the national Single Assessment System using the Integrated Assessment Tool (IAT) — replacing the previous separate ACAT/ACAS assessment processes in most states
Provider Registration
TCP providers must now be registered with the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission and meet the national Aged Care Quality Standards — the same standards that apply to residential aged care and Support at Home providers
Strengthened Client Agreements
The requirement for a signed client agreement before TCP services begin is now a legal requirement under the new Act — protecting participants’ rights and ensuring transparency about services, goals, and fees
What Comes After the Transition Care Program?
The most important thing to understand about TCP is that it has an end date — and planning for what comes after should begin in the first week, not the last. The TCP Care Coordinator is there to help with this, but the family also needs to be actively engaged in understanding the options and making decisions in a timely manner.
Return Home With Support
The person returns home with a Support at Home package or CHSP services in place to maintain independence. This is the most common outcome — TCP has restored enough function and confidence for a safe return. Read our guide to home care package eligibility.
Respite Care
A short-term residential respite stay while waiting for a longer-term care arrangement to become available, or while family carers prepare to resume their caring role. Read our guide to how long someone can stay in respite care.
Permanent Residential Care
If the person’s needs are too high to return home safely, or if they and their family decide that residential care is the right long-term option, TCP provides the time to make this decision thoughtfully. Read our guide to moving into aged care.
Start planning long-term care from week one of TCP: The 12 weeks go faster than families expect. If residential aged care is a likely outcome, begin the process of visiting facilities, understanding costs, and getting a means assessment from Services Australia (1800 227 475) as soon as TCP begins. Waiting lists for residential care can be substantial. For guidance on how to choose a facility, read our guide to choosing aged care facilities in Brisbane and our guide to mistakes to avoid when choosing an aged care provider.
Key Contacts — Transition Care Program and Next Steps
My Aged Care
1800 200 422 | Aged care assessment and access
Services Australia
1800 227 475 | Means assessment for long-term care costs
Carer Gateway
1800 422 737 | Support for family carers — 24/7 emergencies
ACQSC — Complaints
1800 951 822 | Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission
Planning the Next Step After TCP? We Can Help.
The Transition Care Program gives families precious time — time to recover, time to plan, and time to choose the right long-term care option without the pressure of a hospital discharge deadline. If residential aged care is on the horizon for your family, the TCP period is the best possible time to visit facilities, ask the right questions, and make a considered decision.
Superior Care Group is one of Queensland’s leading residential aged care providers, with renowned residences in Redland City and on the Gold Coast. We are family owned and operated, with over 45 years of experience caring for older Queenslanders and their families. We understand the TCP journey — many of our residents have come to us directly from or after a TCP episode — and we know that the transition from TCP to residential care can feel daunting.
Our Wellington Park Private Care in Wellington Point backs onto native bushland with its own working Eden farm — a setting that is genuinely unlike any other in the Redland City aged care market. Our Merrimac Park Private Care on the Gold Coast offers modern, purpose-built residential care with the same family-run values. Both homes offer government-subsidised respite care if you need a bridge between TCP and a permanent decision — and permanent care when the time is right.
If you are currently in TCP or approaching the end of it, we welcome a conversation — with no pressure and no obligation. We can talk through your options, explain our fee structure transparently, and help you understand whether our facilities might be the right fit for your loved one.
Wellington Park Private Care
Wellington Point, Redland City, Brisbane
(07) 3822 1876
Merrimac Park Private Care
Merrimac, Gold Coast
(07) 5618 1111
Related reading: Hospital to Aged Care Transition — How Long Can Someone Stay in Respite Care? — Moving Into Aged Care: Step by Step — Choosing Aged Care Facilities in Brisbane — What Is an Aged Care Assessment?
