Can I get a personal alarm for free?

Many people want to live independently, stay active, and feel confident knowing help is always close by. A monitored personal alarm can make everyday life safer and more reassuring — providing quick access to assistance at the press of a button, whether at home or out in the community. It’s a simple way to maintain independence while giving peace of mind to you and your loved ones.

To make personal alarms more accessible to all Australians, there are several funding options for eligible seniors and people living with disability.

If a monitored personal alarm could benefit you or someone close to you, here are some funding options to consider.

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Federal government programs

Support at Home (SaH):

Support at Home is a new Australian Government program that helps older people stay independent, safe and comfortable in their own homes for longer. It brings together a wide range of in‑home aged care services into one simpler, more flexible system.

Introduced on 1 November 2025, Support at Home replaces Home Care Packages and can assist with everyday tasks, health needs and staying active at home.

To get started, visit myagedcare.gov.au or call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 and arrange an assessment to see if you are eligible and what support is available.

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National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS):

The NDIS can fund assistive technology for people living with significant and permanent disability. This includes funding for personal alarms.

MePACS is a registered NDIS provider of low risk, low-cost assistive technology. Eligible clients may be able to obtain funding for all MePACS alarms, including monitoring. Clients have the flexibility to select their preferred alarm device from our range of options.

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State based programs

Victoria And South Australia have their own government-funded programs that help fund or subsidise personal alarms for state residents.

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Personal Alert Victoria (PAV):

Personal Alert Victoria (PAV) helps Victorian seniors and people living with disability stay safe and independent at home. Through PAV, eligible participants receive a fully monitored personal alarm with 24/7 emergency support and a daily welfare check. MePACS is the sole provider of alarms for the PAV program.

To qualify for PAV, you will need an assessment with an approved PAV assessor. To begin the assessment process, please contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422. For more information about PAV assessment and eligibility, visit the Victorian Government Department of Health website.

Personal Alert AssistanceSA (PAASA):

Personal Alert Assistance SA (PAASA) is a South Australian Government initiative that helps residents access personal alert and monitoring devices, so they can feel safer and more independent at home.
As an approved PAASA provider, eligible South Australians can receive funding for a 24/7 monitored MePACS home alarm with falls detection pendant, or a partially subsidised Solo Connect watch.

To check your eligibility, please visit the Personal Alert AssistanceSA website.

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Self-funding for personal alarms

If you’re not eligible for government funding yet, or if your approval is still pending, you can choose to start with a self‑funded personal alarm. This means you can feel safe, supported and protected right away, rather than wait months for assistance to begin. For many people, My Aged Care wait times can stretch to 8–9 months, depending on their priority level, and that’s a long time to go without help. A self‑funded personal alarm gives you peace of mind from day one.

MePACS offers a range of alarm options to suit different needs and budgets. There are no lock‑in contracts, so once your funding is approved, you can easily switch over to a funded alarm, or cancel your service at any time without fees or penalties.

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Confidence starts with feeling safe

Staying independent feels easier when you know help is always within reach. A personal alarm gives you that confidence, and the comfort of knowing support is there whenever you need it. If you’re looking for extra peace of mind, for yourself or someone you care about, now is the perfect time to explore your options. If you’re ready to feel safer every day, we’re here to help you choose the right personal alarm that fits your needs and budget, and gives you the peace of mind you deserve.

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