Residential Fees
Our aged care homes have several costs, and it can be challenging to understand how they impact your finances. How much you pay for aged care support depends on the type of help you need, your financial situation, and the services you receive.
If you are eligible to be in one of our residential care facilities, you may have to pay
• a basic daily fee, or
• a basic daily fee and accommodation costs, or
• a basic daily fee and a means-tested care fee and accommodation costs.
What is a RAD / DAP?
You may have heard the term before but not be sure what it means. Depending on your circumstances, you may need to make an accommodation payment. The RAD and the DAP are the two ways to pay for this.
The Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD) is a lump sum payment that is fully refundable when the room is vacated.
The Daily Accommodation Payment (DAP) is a nonrefundable daily payment. You may also pay a combination of RAD and DAP, for example, a part lump sum payment and part daily payment.
RAD and DAP
Facilities |
Room Type |
RAD |
DAP
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Archbishop Goody | Standard Room | 360,000 | 80.58 |
| Castledare | Standard Room | 650,000 | 145.49 |
| Premium Room | 750,000 | 167.88 | |
| Ocean Star | Standard Room | 360,000 | 80.58 |
| Trinity | Standard Room | 650,000 | 145.49 |
| St Vincent’s | Standard Room | 700,000 | 156.68 |
| Ground Floor Suite | 750,000 | 167.88 | |
| Reserve View | 750,000 | 167.88 | |
| Elevated Courtyard View | 750,000 | 167.88 | |
| Elevated Reserve View | 800,000 | 179.07 | |
| Elevated River Views | 800,000 | 179.07 | |
| Sr Mary Glowrey | Standard Room 1 | 700,000 | 156.68 |
| Standard Room 2 | 700,000 | 156.68 | |
| First Floor Corner View | 750,000 | 167.88 | |
| Elevated Tree View | 750,000 | 167.88 |
Service Fees
We want you to feel at home, so we offer several additional services across our residential care homes.
Depending on the home you choose, we can provide you with information on the additional services we can offer and their associated costs. You will only be charged for the extra services you choose.
Age Care Costs Explained
Basic daily fee
All our residents are required to pay a basic daily fee. Based on current rates, the maximum basic daily fee is $61.96 per day, or $22,615.40 per year.
This fee helps pay for day-to-day services such as meals, cleaning, facilities management, and laundry. Everyone is expected to pay a basic daily fee to cover these services. The basic daily fee is 85% of the single-person rate of the basic age pension. The government sets the price for 20 March and 20 September each year, changing it to align with age pension increases. Prices are published on the Department of Health website.
You pay your basic daily fee directly to your aged care home, generally fortnightly or monthly. The fee applies every day you are a resident, including days when you might be away overnight, for example, on holiday or in hospital.
Means-tested care fee
The Australian government pays for the cost of care in an aged care home. Depending on your income and assets, you may be asked to contribute to this cost in the form of a fee, which is in addition to the Basic Daily Care fee.
Not everyone will have to pay a means-tested care fee. The exact amount you will pay is determined through a means assessment.
The means-tested care fee is an ongoing fee that covers the cost of personal and clinical care. Personal care can include help with bathing, dressing, grooming, and going to the toilet. Clinical care includes specialised nursing services, medication assistance, or catheter care.
Annual and lifetime caps
There are annual and lifetime caps on means-tested care fees. The maximum we as an aged care home can charge you is:
• $32,718.57 per year, or
• $78,524.69 in a lifetime.
Financial Hardship Assistance
Financial Hardship Assistance is available if you have difficulty paying fees for residential aged care. To apply, complete and lodge the Department of Human Services Application for financial hardship assistance form.
Contact Us
Do the fees still seem unreasonable? Please feel free to call and discuss your options with us today.
Residential Aged Care FAQs
Who is eligible for residential aged care?
Residential aged care (also known as nursing homes, aged care hostels or residential aged care facilities) is for older people who are not able to reside safely in their own home and need greater assistance with daily tasks or their health care.
How do I find out if I am eligible?
The easiest way to start the process is to register with My Aged Care, Australia’s entryway to government-subsidised aged care services.
You can apply online at myagedcaregov.au or call the contact centre on 1800 200 422. Or call our friendly team on 1300 244 111.
How do I apply for residential aged care?
All government-subsidised aged care services are subject to an assessment to determine your eligibility so that the services you choose meet your requirements and provide the kinds of supports you need.
What does the application involve?
During the initial chat with My Aged Care, they will need some basic information to help determine your eligibility for aged care services.
You’ll need to provide your Medicare details and they will also ask about your circumstances at home, how you are managing and how your health is. You’ll also be asked if you are currently receiving any support, such as home care.
Once your eligibility is confirmed, My Aged Care will arrange to meet with you for a face-to-face assessment.