Current location
You are here: help with aged care homes > living in an aged care home > your rights and responsibilities > the resident agreementHelp with aged care homes
The Resident Agreement
After accepting a place in an aged care home and completing Part B of your application (more information), the manager should offer you a Resident Agreement. This is a legal document that sets out the terms of your residency in the home, and the rights and responsibilities of both you and the home.
The Resident Agreement should include:
- the type of care provided (low-care (more information) or high care (more information))
- the circumstances in which you may be asked to leave the home
- the amount of the accommodation bond or charge and daily fees, and
- if entering an extra-service (more information) home, the extra services provided and associated costs.
At the time of discussing the Resident Agreement, ask the home about the care and services that will be provided to you at no additional cost. These specified care and services (more information) must be provided to all residents, and there are additional requirements for high care residents.
Read more: Care and services you can expect
Any variations to the agreement must only be made with both your consent and the consent of the home’s manager.
Before you sign
If you choose to sign the agreement, you don’t have to do it immediately. You can take the time to show the agreement to your family, financial adviser or solicitor. But if the agreement sets out accommodation bonds or accommodation charges (more information), you will need to sign it within 21 days.We strongly recommend that you seek advice on the Resident Agreement, as it is a legally binding document, which sets out what the business or organisation running the aged care home will provide for you, and what your obligations to the management will be. You shouldn’t assume that the proposed agreement will operate completely in your own interest.
If you change your mind about living in the home, after signing the agreement, you should advise your aged care home in writing within 14 days. If you have paid any amounts under the agreement, these must be refunded to you, less your care fees and charges from the agreed date of entry up to the time you withdrew from the agreement.
Related topic: Security of tenure
Related topic: What will I pay?
Common questions on this topic:
See all common questions