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Costs in aged care homes
If you have been assessed (more information) as needing care in an aged care home, the Australian Government may contribute to the cost of your accommodation and care. The amount that you will need to pay will depend on your assets and income.
What does aged care cost?
Aged care homes are legally permitted to charge several kinds of fees and charges, though you may not have to pay all of them. The government calculates and regulates care fees. Some fees are the same for everyone, and some are based on your income.Read more: About what does aged care cost?
What will I pay?
There are two types of care fees that you may be asked to pay: a daily care fee (more information) and, in some cases (depending on your income) an income tested fee (more information). You may also be asked to pay an accommodation payment - either an accommodation bond (more information), or an accommodation charge (more information).Read more: About what will I pay?
What if I can’t afford to pay?
Under the Aged Care Act 1997, aged care homes are required to care for a certain minimum number of people who need help to pay for their aged care accommodation – known as concessional or assisted residents. For this they receive extra government subsidies. This ensures that all residents receive the same standard of care and have equal access to care.Read more: About what if I can’t afford to pay?
How is the accommodation payment assessed?
A home may ask you to pay an accommodation payment which will be based on the assets you hold at the time you enter the home. An assets assessment (more information) will determine whether you are eligible for subsidised accommodation costs, and whether you may be asked to pay an accommodation bond or accommodation charge.Read more: About assets assessments
Types of costs
The fees that you may be asked to pay are care fees (more information) and accommodation payments (more information).Read more: About types of costs
What does the Government pay?
Care in aged care homes is expensive to provide. However, the government provides subsidies to make sure that all residents receive the same standard of care and have equal access to care.Read more: About what the government pays
The Aged Care Information Line (more information) can help you if you have trouble understanding how the fees and charges work: 1800 500 853.
Common questions on this topic:
- How much does residential aged care cost?
- Where can I get information about services for the visually impaired?
- Why should I have an assets assessment?
See more common questions on this topic | See all common questions
