Services Australia will need to assess your income and asset details to identify if you can get help to pay for your aged care accommodation and also how much you need to pay as your means-tested care fees (if anything). If they can’t work out the applicable fees and payments because they do not have enough information then you will default to the maximum fees applicable. If you receive a means tested income support payment (such as the age pension) please ensure you have updated Centrelink or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) with your financial and personal details within the last two years. Please also ensure you have updated them on any other recent changes to your financial or personal circumstances. If you haven’t, or are unsure, please go online through myGov, or call Centrelink (on 132 300) or the DVA (on 1800 555 254) to update your details.

Yes, if you own or part own your home, you need to complete form SA485 (Residential Aged Care Property Details for Centrelink and DVA Customers). Services Australia needs to have details of your home and if you might be seeking protected status for the home, for example, because your spouse will continue to reside there. If however, you do not own (or part own) your home, it is recommended you phone Services Australia on 1800 227 475 or DVA on 1800 555 254 to request a pre-commencement letter that will confirm this status.

You need to complete form SA457 (Residential Aged Care Calculation of your cost of care) if you are a self-funded retiree or do not have a means-tested income support payment (such as a blind pension or carer allowance). This is because, unless you lodge this form, Services Australia won’t have enough information to work out the applicable fees and payments.

There is a digital version SA486 (Aged Care calculation of your cost of care) that can be used. You can find it here: www.humanservices.gov.au/ individuals/forms/sa486. You are encouraged to use this digital form as the form is dynamic and will present different questions based on the answers you give. Using this form is the easiest way to complete your assessment. Once it is completed, you do need to print and sign the form and send it to either Services Australia or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs at the address provided.

Your aged care home should be able to provide a copy if requested, or you can phone Services Australia on 1800 227 475 to request a copy.

Good Shepherd Lodge Ltd maintains a ratio of people who have been assessed by Services Australia as having means below certain thresholds. These people will receive government assistance towards their accommodation costs. You may still be asked to make a contribution towards your accommodation as a calculated amount. The calculation is undertaken by Services Australia as part of the means assessment process.

If you first entered an aged care home on or after 1st July 2014, you must have a new means-tested amount determined each time you move to a new aged care home. If, however, you have kept Services Australia or DVA informed of changes to your means and circumstances, you may not need to complete a full assessment. Please phone Services Australia on 1800 227 475 to verify what you need to do. If you first entered an aged care home before 1st July 2014 you can elect to ‘grandparent’ your existing financial arrangements or you could opt to move across to the new pricing arrangements.

An information flyer is available from Services Australia that describes this further.

It is important that you have all of the information about the financial impact of moving into residential care. We recommend you seek financial advice from your pension provider or an independent financial planner. You might also decide to seek legal advice prior to signing a resident agreement but you don’t have to.

If you accept an offer of placement with Good Shepherd Lodge or Kerrisdale Gardens you will receive a Residency Agreement that covers things like services provided, costs, and rights and responsibilities. If you haven’t yet received a sample copy of our Residency Agreement, please contact us so we can provide it for you.

You will receive an account statement with your fees and charges itemised. Your fees are billed monthly, in advance. Our preferred method of payment is direct debit. Find out more For more information about accommodation payments, please visit the My Aged Care website on www.myagedcare.gov.au or phone the My Aged Care contact centre on 1800 200 422.

If Services Australia can’t work out the applicable fees and payments because they have not received the assets and income details required then you will default to the maximum fees applicable and note that Good Shepherd Lodge Ltd will pass on these fees in full. These fees include both the maximum means-tested fees and the full accommodation fee. This classification is called Means Not Disclosed or MND. If you are choosing to opt out then you can complete form SA457 or digital version SA486 and answer ‘no’ to the question “Do you want to provide your income and asset details so we can calculate your cost of care?” In the instance of both being “means not disclosed” or “opting out”, note that annual and lifetime caps of the means-tested fees will still apply.

Yes, you can. Please be aware that the assessment will only be valid for 120 days from when the Services Australia notify you of the outcome. If your circumstances change during this period you will need to update Services Australia or DVA of the changes, as it might impact your means assessment. If eligible, you can also phone Services Australia or DVA to request a pre-commencement letter.

Normally, it is best to have your means assessment advice prior to moving into residential care but this isn’t always possible. It is preferable for you to complete the form as soon as possible so that you can be billed at the correct rate. You may be asked to pay interim accommodation or means-tested care fees until your assessment advice is received.

Services Australia aims to process Means Assessments within 28 days. This is contingent upon all the necessary information being provided. The fee confirmation letter will be generated following this, or once notification of entry to care is provided by Uniting.

There is a ‘residential care fee estimator’ on the My Aged Care website or phone 1800 200 422 for help with navigating this tool