What is the cost?

Costs

The Commonwealth Government helps pay for the cost of aged care services, but it expects a contribution from those who can afford it. Prior to your entry into residential aged care, residents are asked to provide details of their assets to ensure that each person is assessed appropriately. There are several different types of fees and charges, and the cost of services varies.

Low care (Hostel)

If you are moving into low care accommodation, you will usually be asked to pay an accommodation bond (in accordance with the Aged Care Act 1997). Concessional places are available in low care accommodation and eligible residents will not be asked to pay an accommodation bond.

High care (Nursing home)

If you are moving into high care accommodation, you will usually be asked to pay a daily accommodation charge.

Daily care fees

The current basic daily fee charged to residents is dependent on your pensioner status and the level of accommodation bond paid.

Depending on your level of income, some residents may be asked to pay an income-tested fee in addition to the basic daily care fee.

You will not be asked to pay more than you can afford and you will not pay more than the cost of your care.

You may be eligible for government assistance to help pay for your accommodation. To determine if you are eligible for assistance, you will need a financial assessment. You can get more information about this by contacting Centrelink or the Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA).

You can get more information about the costs associated with residential aged care by calling the Aged Care Information Line on 1800 500 853 or by contacting one of our Catholic Healthcare residential aged care communities.

Will I have to sell my family home?

You may decide to sell your family home to pay for ongoing care and accommodation. However in calculating your financial position for the means test, there are circumstances where your family home may not be included.

Note: Before you move into a residential aged care service, we recommend that you seek independent financial and legal advice.