Costs explained
Aged care fees and charges explained
Breaking down the costs of aged care
For peace of mind, it’s critical that you understand the residential aged care fees as well as any costs and charges you may incur along the way. It’s also important to understand that the overall amount you pay for both care and accommodation depends on your individual financial situation.
Our video below explains all the considerations you may have as the upfront entry cost will depend on two things:
- The type of care you are looking for - permanent or respite
- How much you (or your family member going into aged care) have as 'assessable' assets
Our costs calculator below is a useful tool for estimating the cost of different rooms available. The My Aged Care website at https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/fee-estimator has a useful tool to help you to estimate your aged care fees. Our fee calculator below will help you work it out in relation to the available room at one of our Care Communities.
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Using your own values
5 simple Steps into Residential Aged Care
Assess
Make sure the person requiring care has had an ACAT assessment.
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Find
Search for a residential aged care home suitably located.
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Costs
Understand the costs associated with residential aged are.
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Apply
Ensure you have all relevant paperwork to apply for residential aged care.
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Move
Check out our moving checklist to ensure the smoothest move possible.
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Start exploring our Care Communities
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Commonly asked questions about Aged Care Fees
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Once you have received your ACAT assessment, you can begin applying to as many care communities as you wish, but once you accept a place, it’s important that you let the other places know that you no longer require their services.
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Visiting a range of Care Communities is often one of the best ways to decide which one suits your needs. To help you assess the suitability of those you visit, we have attached a short checklist at the end of this section. This will help you assess each home and ask some important questions to the providers you meet with.
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The Department of Human Services (DHS) is the body that determines your financial situation. To do this, DHS conducts a Combined Income and Assets Assessment, which is a form that you need to complete and submit to the government.
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Respite care is short-term care, including day respite, to provide your caregivers a break from caring when they need it. It can be planned or on an emergency basis and can be used for up to 63 days in a financial year. Many of our Care Communities offer day respite, which offers caregivers some flexibility to attend to personal needs and obligations as they arise.
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The Combined Income and Assets Assessment form (SA457) is an extensive questionnaire with over 140 questions about what you and your partner/spouse own and earn. It’s important to understand that you are considered to own half your assets with your partner/spouse regardless of who holds the title to the assets. As part of your assessment, you will be asked to provide details of all assets owned by both of you.
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Accommodation Charge (the cost of your room) - These are set by individual Care Communities and can vary.
- Basic Daily Care Fee (meals, laundry, cleaning and other day-to-day costs) – These are set by the Australian Government and is the same across every aged care home in Australia.
- Means-Tested Care Fee (to supplement the cost of your overall care) - These are set by the Australian Government based on an assessment of your personal financial situation.
- Additional Services Fee or Extra Services Fee - (higher-end services and accommodation) These are set by individual aged care homes and vary. In some Care Communities, Additional Services or Extra Services are optional and in others, residents are required to purchase these services as a condition of entry.