To ensure prospective residents with low assets and income are not disadvantaged from being offered permanent placement, accredited aged care facilities must reserve a percentage of their beds for ‘low means’ residents.

ASSET & INCOME FREE THRESHOLD – Low Means Resident

Assets between $0.00 and $59,500, and Income below $32,195.80.

• Basic Daily Care Fee only

FIRST ASSET & INCOME THRESHOLD – Low Means Resident

Assets between $59,500 and $201,231.20, and income below $62,727.60.

• Basic Daily Care Fee
• Accommodation Contribution

Residents who are eligible to receive subsidised aged care fees are required to submit an Asset and Income Assessment to the Department of Human Services (Centrelink)

Figures shown reflect the Department of Health ‘Schedule of Fees and Charges for Residential and Home Care’ from 20th March 2024.

ABOVE FIRST ASSET & INCOME THRESHOLD – Financial Resident

Assets above $201,231.20 and income above $62,727.60.

• Basic Daily Care Fee
• Accommodation Payment
• Means Tested Care Fee

Figures shown reflect the Department of Health ‘Schedule of Fees and Charges for Residential and Home Care’ from 20th March 2024.

The Basic Daily Care Fee (BDCF) is paid by everyone. It is set by the Commonwealth Government and is approximately 85% of the single Aged Pension. The BDCF covers all living expenses and contributes to the costs of other services such as meals, personal care, recreation activities, laundry, cleaning and nursing care

Current daily rate $61.96

The Means Tested Care Fee (MTCF) is paid by residents who exceed the government’s first assets and income threshold. As the BDCF does not cover 100% of the costs incurred by an aged care facility in providing its services, residents who are deemed to have the financial means are required to contribute more towards the cost of their own care. The MTCF varies depending on the asset and income level of the resident.

Annual Cap $33,309.29                   

Lifetime Cap $79,942.44

The Accommodation Contribution is paid by Low Means residents only. It is reviewed quarterly and is subject to change; however a resident will not be required to pay more than what is advised from their asset and income testing. The facility has restrictions on how much it may charge based on its Low Means resident ratio and whether or not the facility is newly refurbished. The Accommodation Contribution may be paid as a lump sun equivalent, known as a Refundable Accommodation Contribution, which is 100% refundable.

Current maximum daily rate $68.14