Choosing a Residential Aged Care Home is a big decision and it’s important to understand the costs and fees associated with care. To help you navigate the process, our friendly Juniper team are on hand to support you to understand the fees and make the process as smooth as possible.
Although the Australian Government provides funding for Residential Aged Care, you may be asked to contribute to the cost of your accommodation and care if you can afford to do so. The amount you pay and the level of Government assistance you receive is determined by an income and asset assessment.
Income and Asset Assessment
We highly recommend you get a means assessment by Services Australia (formerly Centrelink) to help determine whether you are eligible for government help to pay your accommodation costs and whether you need to pay any additional means-tested care fees.
My Aged Care has an Income and Means Assessment tool to find out if you need to do a means assessment.
If you have already received a means-tested payment from Services Australia or the DVA, and you don’t own your own home, you don’t need to do a means assessment, however you will need to advise Centrelink if you are moving into an aged care home and ask for a pre-commencement letter.
Aged Care fees
At Juniper, our Residential Aged Care fees are a basic daily fee, your room payment and a means-tested care fee.
How much you pay, and the amount of Government assistance you receive, is determined by your Income and Assets Assessment by Services Australia.
Basic Daily Fee
This fee covers your daily living expenses, such as food, toiletries, cleaning, linen and laundry services, and utilities and amenities.
It is calculated at 85 per cent of the current basic single aged pension, which is paid by all residents regardless of your financial situation.
The government sets the price in March and September each year, changing in line with increases to the Aged Pension.
Accommodation Payment
This payment covers the cost of your room.
If you can afford to do so, you are expected to pay for your room, but an Income and Assets Assessment will determine how much the Australian Government will contribute towards your accommodation costs, which could be fully or partially covered.
There are three ways you can pay for your accommodation (if applicable) – a Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD); Daily Accommodation Payment (DAP) or a combination of both:
- RAD: The Refundable Accommodation Deposit as a lump sum payment that is fully refundable when you leave the Residential Aged Care Home.
- DAP: The Daily Accommodation Payment is charged daily and is non-refundable.
- Combined RAD and DAP: This option gives you the choice to pay both a lump sum amount (RAD) and a daily payment.
Other fees you may need to pay
- Means Tested Care Fee: This is an additional fee you may be asked to pay depending on your income and assets. This amount is set by the Government and is paid by you directly to Juniper.
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