Understanding Aged Care Fees

Costs entering residential aged care

There are several costs associated with permanent care in an aged care home. Please find a summary of the fees that you may be asked to pay in a Heritage Care home.

Care and accommodation costs

Care Fees:

Basic daily fee – An amount that everyone pays for the day-to-day services they receive at the aged care home.

Means tested care fee – A contribution that some people pay toward the cost of their care, determined by a means assessment by Services Australia.

Accommodation costs: An amount that some people pay to contribute towards or cover the full costs of their room, depending on their means assessment.

Other services cost – Additional Services: All Heritage Care homes include Additional Services that go beyond the minimum care and service requirements and has been bundled into the Advantage Package (see below) and applied as a daily fee.

We have meticulously curated our Additional Services Package, aptly named the Advantage Package, with the utmost care to ensure that our esteemed residents receive services that exceed the standard level of care.

This comprehensive offering revolves around service enhancements encompassing additional dining experiences, holistic wellbeing and social activities, captivating entertainment and technology offerings, personalised equipment and services, as well as room extras designed to elevate their experience within our residence.

Rest assured, our commitment is unwavering – residents entrusted to our care shall receive the highest standard of professional, individualised care, and deeply respectful attention. Our array of lifestyle choices has been thoughtfully crafted to bestow benefits upon every resident, fostering an environment where their contentment and welfare is paramount.
Terms and conditions apply. For the full list of services, including terms and conditions, please contact the care home.
Our dedicated Client Service Team can discuss fees and charges in more detail during your tour or upon application.

Residential aged care costs are dependent on each person’s circumstances.

If you are moving into an aged care home long-term, the fees you pay will be determined by your individual financial circumstances. This will be assessed by Services Australia by completing an Income and Assets assessment. Based on the outcome of this means assessment you may fit into one of these three indicative scenarios.
Residents with minimal assets and income (as assessed by the Government to receive full or partial support) will not be subject to RAD/DAP costs. Fully Supported residents will pay only a Basic Daily Fee (which is calculated at 85% of the basic single Age Pension) whereas Partially Supported residents will be required to pay an additional Contribution as determined by the Government.
With the exception of Accommodation Fees/Deposits (which are negotiated with Heritage Care directly), all other fees and charges are mandated by the Australian Government (i.e. Department of Health, Department of Veterans Affairs, etc).

Payment Options for Accommodation Cost

There are four ways you can pay for your accommodation cost:

Should I seek financial advice?

We recommend seeking independent financial advice when you start looking to move into a residential aged care home to understand your situation and the best payment option for you.
Services Australia’s Financial Information Service (FIS) is a free service available to everyone. FIS officers can show you how to make informed financial decisions. They can also help you to understand the financial implications of your aged care costs.

To find out more about FIS, or to make an appointment, call 132 300 and say “Financial Information Service” when asked why you are calling.

For more information and guidance on financial matters, you can also visit My Aged Care’s financial support and advice page.