Need help urgently? Call 1800 200 422 (My Aged Care) or 000 for emergencies.
What type of care are you looking at?
⚠️ General information only, not financial advice. Figures above are typical ranges for 2025–26. Your actual contribution is determined by Services Australia means assessment. Call 1800 200 422 or use the official estimators below.
Aged care in Australia is heavily subsidised by the government. The government pays the majority of the cost. You pay a contribution based on what you can afford. Nobody is refused care because they can’t pay.
How much you contribute depends on two things: the type of care you receive (home care vs residential care) and your financial situation (assessed through a means test by Services Australia).
Under the new Support at Home program, the government gives you a quarterly budget based on your assessed needs. You may need to contribute towards some services — how much depends on your income and assets.
Your contribution: nothing. Clinical services are fully funded by the government regardless of your financial situation. You pay no out-of-pocket costs for these.
You may pay a contribution depending on your income. Full pensioners pay less. Self-funded retirees pay more. The exact amount is calculated by Services Australia.
These attract higher contributions because they’re considered non-clinical. Again, the amount depends on your means. The government still subsidises a significant portion.
💡 Key protection: The government sets a maximum amount you can be asked to contribute. There are yearly and lifetime caps on fees. Once you hit the cap, you don’t pay any more care fees — the government covers the rest.
💡 Already in the system? If you were receiving a Home Care Package and were assessed before 12 September 2024, the “no worse off” rule applies. You won’t pay more under Support at Home than you would have under the old program.
Moving into an aged care home involves several different fees. This is the part that confuses most families — so here’s each fee explained simply.
Everyone pays this. It’s a fixed amount set by the government, currently around 85% of the single basic age pension. It covers day-to-day living costs like meals, laundry, and utilities. Think of it as your “board and lodging” contribution.
This is an additional fee based on your income and assets. Not everyone pays this — if your means are below certain thresholds, you won’t be asked to pay it at all. Services Australia calculates this for you.
This covers your room. You can pay this as a lump sum (called a Refundable Accommodation Deposit or RAD), a daily rental payment (DAP), or a combination of both. The lump sum is refundable when you leave.
If you can’t afford the full accommodation cost, the government will help. Nobody is turned away because they can’t pay for a room.
Some aged care homes offer premium services — better food, more activities, nicer rooms. This is entirely optional. You only pay it if you choose these extras. From November 2025, this replaced the old “additional” and “extra service” fees.
The system is designed so that nobody misses out on care because of money. If you’re struggling financially, there are protections in place.
You can apply for financial hardship assistance through the government. This can reduce or waive your fees. Your aged care provider or My Aged Care can help you apply.
If you need independent advice, the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) can help you understand your options — free and confidential. Call 1800 700 600.
The government provides free online tools to estimate what you’d pay. These are the most accurate way to get personalised figures.
Estimate what you’d contribute for Support at Home services.
Open Fee Estimator →Estimate what you’d pay for an aged care home, including accommodation.
Open Fee Estimator →See RAD vs DAP, basic daily fee, and means-tested contributions side by side — for both home care and residential care, in one place. Built to the November 2025 reform rules.
Try the Calculator →Price caps on Support at Home services will take effect on 1 July 2026. Until then, providers can charge whatever they like — which means right now is a good time to compare what you’re paying.
From 1 July 2026, providers won’t be able to charge above a government-set maximum for each type of service. This is a significant consumer protection that should make the system fairer and easier to compare.
Until then, providers set their own prices. The same service can cost quite different amounts depending on the provider. Use the Find a Provider tool to compare — prices must be published publicly.
What to do now: Ask your current provider for a full breakdown of what you’re paying per service type. When the price caps are published (expected mid-2026), you’ll be able to see whether you’re currently being overcharged — and switch if needed. Your funding follows you.
No. Your home is not automatically counted in the means test while you or your spouse still lives there. The rules around the family home are complex, so it’s worth getting advice. But the short answer: you almost certainly won’t be forced to sell.
Yes. The Refundable Accommodation Deposit is returned to you (or your estate) when you leave the aged care home, minus any agreed deductions. The provider can retain up to 2% per year for a maximum of 5 years.
You can be reassessed at any time. If your needs increase, you can move to a higher funding classification with a bigger budget. Contact your provider or My Aged Care to arrange a reassessment.
Yes. Some financial advisers specialise in aged care. They can help with decisions about accommodation payments, the family home, and structuring assets. Look for advisers accredited with the Aged Care Steps program or ask your provider for a recommendation.