This examination of the Transition Care Programme (TCP) explores the demographics, health conditions, use patterns and outcomes of individuals who used the service in 2020-21. It shows the effectiveness of targeted interventions helping older people regain independence after leaving hospital, and suggests community-level benefits from delaying or preventing entry into residential aged care.

The national TCP provides funding for short-term specialised support to help older people regain their functional independence after a hospital stay. This report provides a snapshot of 20,500 people using transition care within a 1-year period. By using linked data to conduct person-centred analysis, the report expands on previous reporting of transition care. 

Key findings

• Around 3 in 5 people returned to the community after starting transition care in 2020–21.
• Almost 9 in 10 people who returned to the community after transition care improved their functional independence.
• People who did not return to the community at the end of transition care had lower functional independence at entry.
• Almost all people (86%) used other aged care services after transition care, most commonly home support.
• Half of the people using transition care lived alone.