Are you eligible for
aged care funding?

The Australian Government determines who's eligible for government-funded aged care and support through their AN-ACC assessments.

If you're planning to apply for home care, an aged care home or short term/respite aged care, you'll need to do a face-to-face AN-ACC assessment first. Below is the process you'll follow as you go through an AN-ACC Assessment, or you can find out more on the government's My Aged Care website.

Anyone wanting to access funded aged care must apply through the Australian Government’s MY AGED CARE program.  You will need to undertake an Aged Care Assessment Team before proceeding to care. 

  • An assessor - often a doctor, nurse, social worker, or other healthcare professional - will make an appointment to visit you at your home or see you in hospital. You’ll receive a call to arrange a time that works for you. Let them know if you need a translator or interpreter.

  • An assessor - often a doctor, nurse, social worker, or other healthcare professional - will make an appointment to visit you at your home or see you in hospital. You’ll receive a call to arrange a time that works for you. Let them know if you need a translator or interpreter.

  • Consider inviting a support person - a family member or carer - along to the appointment. Have your Medicare card, ID, doctor and specialist details and any medical referrals and details of current support ready.

  • The assessor will come to your home or hospital bed - allow at least an hour for the meeting. They may ask you to fill out an Application for Care form, which they'll have with them. They will talk with you about your needs, find out about any current support you're receiving and how you're managing daily tasks. They'll discuss your health, memory and any issues relating to your safety, like falls, and might seek your permission to speak with your GP or other specialists.

  • If you're applying for Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) services, the assessor will usually tell you if you're eligible at the end of your assessment, and you can start contacting providers to arrange the support you need.

  • For home care packages, short term/respite care and aged care homes, the decision takes longer - usually a few weeks. You'll receive a letter that outlines if you're eligible, and, if so the level of care you've been approved for. Haven’t heard after 6 weeks? You can check the progress of your My Aged Care application using myGov or by phoning My Aged Care on 1800 200 422.

  • You'll do this Australian Government assessment online, and find out if you're able to contribute financially to the cost of your care. You won't need to do this for CHSP or short term/respite care. Take the first step.

    Please note

    If you've been approved for care after an ACAT assessment, there might be a waiting list to access the service you need. Contact us to find out more or visit funding options for home care.

A caregiver smiling next to an elderly woman in a cozy setting.

What if I’m not approved?

We may be able to arrange private services for you. You can still access our aged care services - including our aged care homes - you'll just need to pay full fees.

Not eligible for government-funded aged care? On a waitlist?
We're here to help

You can choose to pay privately for our aged care services if you're not eligible for government funding, or if you're waiting for a funded service that's not yet available.
All of our aged care services - including moving into one of our care homes - can be accessed via our fee-for-service, or 'full fee' program.
We don't treat you differently if you're accessing private aged care - our care, staffing and facilities are the same, regardless of how you're receiving our support.

Understanding your residential aged care costs…

Moving into an aged care home is a big decision, and it’s important to understand the costs associated with your care. 

Residential aged care fees are regulated by the Australian Government and may be subsidised based on your income and assets. Your fees will include a care fee and an accommodation fee. The care fee is made up of a basic daily care fee and a means-tested care fee.

Additional services | We provide additional services to support your lifestyle and wellbeing. Where available, additional services incur a small daily fee, on top of your basic daily care fee. ‘Low means’ residents are exempt from fees for additional services. Terms and conditions apply.

    • Covers your daily living costs (e.g. meals, power, laundry, personal care)

    • Paid by all aged care home residents

    • Everyone can be asked to pay this fee

    • Fee is calculated at 85% of the single person Age Pension

    • Adjusted each March and September in line with changes to the Age Pension.

    • You can be asked to pay this fee if your income and assets are over a certain amount

    • Calculated by the Department of Human Services (DHS)

    • Annual and lifetime caps apply.

    • Covers your accommodation in the home

    • May be met in full or in part by the government

    • Only payable if your income and assets are over a certain amount

    • Assessed by the Department of Human Services (DHS).

If you need to pay an accommodation fee, there are 4 ways you can do so:

  • A lump sum payment that’s refunded when you leave. It differs by aged care home and is based on room pricing.

  • A daily payment that’s billed monthly. It differs by aged care home and is based on room pricing. This payment isn’t refundable when you leave.

  • Combines RAD and DAP, so you pay part lump sum and part daily payment. Only the RAD component is refundable when you leave.

  • Similar to the combination option, but the DAP is taken from the RAD, and the balance refunded when you leave.