Understanding the DSOA (Disability Support for Older Australians) Program

If you or a loved one is over 65 and living with a disability in Australia, you may have wondered what support options are available beyond the NDIS. One important program to know about is the Disability Support for Older Australians (DSOA) Program. In this guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about DSOA: who it’s for, how it works, its relationship to the NDIS, the challenges you might face, and how to access help.

What is the DSOA Program and Why Is It Important?

The Disability Support for Older Australians (DSOA) Program is a government initiative designed to provide funding for essential disability supports to older people who are not eligible for the NDIS. It specifically targets individuals who, due to their age when the NDIS rolled out, missed out on applying for ongoing NDIS support.

Why does it matter?

• Many people with disabilities aged 65 or older (as of 1 July 2019) were not eligible to access the NDIS.
• The DSOA exists to bridge the gap, ensuring that older Australians are not disadvantaged and can access similar disability supports as those available under the NDIS.

Who is Eligible for DSOA?

To access DSOA, you must:

• Be over 65 years old (or over 50 for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people) at the time the NDIS was rolled out in your area, and not have joined the NDIS.
• Have been receiving State/Territory-administered specialist disability supports before transitioning to DSOA (such as accommodation support, in-home assistance, or therapy services).

• Be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or hold a Protected Special Category visa.

Note: If you were under 65 when NDIS started in your region, you may still be able to join the NDIS and it’s worth consulting the NDIS for eligibility first.

How Does the DSOA Program Work?

DSOA funding is:

• Individualised—tailored to each participant’s needs, much like the NDIS.
• Portable within Australia (excluding WA, where a separate system may apply).

• Administered by the Australian Government Department of Social Services (DSS).

DSOA Provides Funding For:

• Personal and daily life assistance (e.g., showering, dressing, meal preparation)

• Supported independent living (SIL) and accommodation support
• Community access and participation support
• Allied health therapies

• Equipment, aids, and assistive technology (AT)
• Coordination of supports (similar to support coordination in NDIS)
• Respite and short-term accommodation

How to claim:
Participants do not receive funds directly. Instead, service providers (including disability support organisations) apply through the DSS to provide support, and claim payment for approved services.

DSOA & Australian Migration: What Migrants Should Know

For older Australians with a disability on specific visa categories, especially those on a Protected Special Category Visa, the DSOA remains accessible. Refugees, permanent residents, and certain long-term residents are also considered.

Key requirements:

• Proof of residency

• Evidence of prior support before the NDIS rollout
• Not being eligible for NDIS due to age at rollout

This ensures that recent or long-term migrants are not left without essential support in their later years.

Key Benefits and Features

• Continuity of Support: Ensures no loss of assistance for older participants after NDIS rollout.
• Individualised Plans: DSOA plans are reviewed annually, tailored to changing needs.

• Wide Array of Services: Covers most essential support types previously available under state/territory schemes.
• Support Coordination: DSOA includes “Coordination of Support,” mirroring the NDIS, to help arrange appropriate services.
• No Direct Cost to Participants: Like NDIS, most basic DSOA supports are government-funded (although some co-payments may apply for extra services/equipment).

Common Challenges and Solutions

Common Challenges:

• Confusion around eligibility: Many older Australians are unsure if NDIS or DSOA applies.

- **Solution**: Contact the DSS or a local disability advocacy service for a clarification assessment.

• Service Gaps: Some specialist or innovative supports are only available under NDIS.
  • Solution: Providers can often tailor existing services or apply for additional DSS funding in cases of special need.

• Navigating Providers: Fewer providers may be specifically DSOA-registered.
  • Solution: Use online directories, like NDISFinder.com, or seek referrals from My Aged Care or local councils.
• Changing Needs: DSOA planning reviews may not always keep up with rapidly changing health/disability status.

- **Solution**: Request a plan review or update through your service coordinator as soon as your needs change.

Professions Involved and People Who Typically Apply

Common Professions Involved:

• Disability support workers
• Support coordinators
• Allied health professionals (occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech pathologists)

• Case managers
• Registered nurses

People Who Usually Apply:

• People aged 65+ with pre-existing, significant disabilities (cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, acquired brain injuries, etc.)
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians aged 50+ with disability
• Long-term users of State/Territory disability services prior to 1 July 2019

Real-Life Scenarios:

• Dot, 73,