Aged Care Fees – The Basics

Costs, rules and things to consider.
Are you starting the aged care process?

The Basics

With increasing life expectancies and improvements in medical technology we can all expect to have longer and more productive retirements. But there is still a high chance of needing help with daily living activities and medical care, especially at older ages.

Accessing support services does not always mean you have to move out of your home.

Help to stay in your home longer is available through home care services but these services do not work for everyone, especially those living alone or with high care needs. So for some people, a move into residential aged care may be a better alternative. Careful planning ahead of time can make all the difference and remove a lot of the stress at the time when a decision needs to be made.

What does care cost?

The cost to care for someone in a residential service can be as high as $290 per day (around $105,744 per year) but thankfully these costs are heavily subsidised by the government. The Federal Government spends over $13 billion a year on aged care.  This is in addition to costs incurred by care providers for building and maintaining the facilities and the fees paid by residents. 

With the percentage of Australia’s population over age 85 set to triple over the next thirty years the pressure on finances is increasing and the rules for fees changed on 1 July 2014.

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What are the rules for fees?

The range of fees and calculation methods may appear complex but fees can be divided into four categories. The diagram below provides a quick overview of the fee structure for residential aged care.

The important things to know about the current rules are:

If you moved into care before 1 July 2014, the rules are different. The previous rules continue to apply unless you move from one service provider to another (without a gap of 28 days or more) and choose to have the new rules apply.

Aged Care Fees breakdown

Accommodation Payment

Published Rates
RAD or DAP
Concessions for low-means residents

Basic Daily Fee

All Residents
$61.96 per day

Means Tested Care Fee

Up to $33,309.29 per year or $79,942.22 lifetime

Extras Fee

Extra-Service package
Additional services opt in or out

Things to consider

Financial aspects are only one consideration when preparing for your care years. It is more important to find the right care service at the right time. Your available options may depend on your family arrangements and your health requirements. But if your finances are carefully planned, you will have more choices and greater control over where and how you live and receive care.

Advice from an adviser who is experienced in aged care is key. Advice can help you see the bigger picture and take into consideration your family needs and estate planning considerations as well as strategies to generate sufficient cashflow, including access to government benefits and concessions. 

If you think your plans need to be reviewed or you would like further information on aspects of aged care, contact us to make an appointment today.

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