Giải thích về giá dịch vụ chăm sóc người cao tuổi
One of the key considerations when entering one of our homes is understanding the costs involved, which vary depending on your financial situation and the type of care you need.
Government Subsidies and Personal Contributions
The Australian Government provides subsidies to aged care home providers to make residential aged care affordable. However, if you’re able to, the Government will expect you to contribute to the cost of your care and accommodation. The amount you need to pay depends on your income and assets, which will be assessed by Services Australia or the Commonwealth Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA).
It is advisable to have your means assessed before you enter care to see if you are eligible for Commonwealth Government assistance with fees and accommodation charges. Your means assessment is valid for 120 days, unless your circumstances change.
Means Assessment
If your financial assessment shows that your income and assets are above a certain threshold, you may be asked to contribute towards your care. This fee is calculated based on your financial situation
Contributions for Everyday Living Costs
- Basic Daily Fee: This fee covers your day-to-day living costs, such as meals, laundry, and power. It is set at a maximum of 85% of the single basic age pension. Every resident pays this fee, and for some, it is the only fee they incur. In March and September each year, this fee increases in line with the age pension.
- Hotelling Contribution: People who can afford to will pay a higher daily fee (called a hotelling contribution) towards their living costs. Services Australia determines whether a person must pay this contribution, and if so, how much, based on their means assessment. The maximum amount is updated twice a year in March and September to reflect consumer price indexation changes.
Contributions to Non-Clinical Care (NCCC)
Those assessed as paying the maximum hotelling contribution may also be required to pay a non-clinical care contribution, which helps cover personal care services such as bathing and mobility support. Services Australia determines eligibility and the amount payable based on a means assessment. The maximum amount is indexed in March and September, with daily and lifetime caps applying.
Lifetime Caps
A lifetime cap will mean residents will no longer have to pay the NCCC once they reach $130,000 (indexed) in total contributions, or after 4 years, whichever comes first. Additionally, the daily cap of $101.16 (indexed) that applies to the NCCC. Fees paid under the Support at Home Program also count towards the lifetime cap.
Higher Everyday Living Fee (not currently charged at Doutta Galla)
An optional fee applies to those residents who choose to receive higher-quality or additional everyday living services beyond what an aged care home is required to provide. The specific services and associated fees are agreed upon between the resident and the provider after entering care. You cannot be charged for services you are unable to use. Once a written agreement is made, residents have 28 days to withdraw if they change their mind. The agreement is reviewed at least annually to confirm that the services remain suitable and desired.
Accommodation Costs
Depending on the outcome of your financial assessment, you may be required to contribute towards your accommodation costs. This can range from the Commonwealth Government covering all expenses, to you paying the full cost of your room. Before entering care, you must agree on a room price and sign an accommodation agreement.
Payment options include a lump sum refundable deposit, daily rental-style payments, or a combination of both. For residents entering permanent aged care on or after 1 November 2025, new accommodation arrangements will apply:
- Refundable deposit retention: If you pay a lump sum, Doutta Galla will retain 2% of the amount per year, which is not refunded when you leave care. Retentions stop after five years.
- Daily accommodation payment (DAP) indexing: If you pay by DAP, the amount will increase with indexation on 20 March and 20 September each year. Indexation does not apply to daily accommodation contributions (DAC) for residents receiving government assistance.
Financial Hardship Assistance
If you’re experiencing financial hardship, there are provisions to help reduce the burden of care and accommodation fees. You may be eligible for government financial assistance; contact Services Australia for more information.
Payment Options
You have a choice in how you pay for your accommodation at Doutta Galla:
- Lump-Sum Refundable Deposit: A one-off lump sum, refunded when you leave the home.
- Daily Payments: A rental-style payment made daily, as an alternative to a lump sum.
- Combination of Both: You can choose a mix of both options, allowing you to make a partial lump sum payment with the remainder covered by daily payments.
Changes to Fees After Entering Care
Aged care fees and contributions may change over time due to:
- changes to your financial circumstances
- indexation of aged care fees; and
- thresholds reaching lifetime caps on certain fees.
You must update Services Australia or DVA within 28 days if your financial circumstances change to ensure your fees remain accurate.
Seeking Financial Advice
It’s important to seek independent financial advice before making decisions on how to pay for your aged care, as this can impact your pension and other financial aspects. Doutta Galla encourages all families to consult a professional to ensure you are making the best decision for your individual personal circumstances.
The Financial Information Service (FIS) provided by Services Australia offers free, confidential, and independent information to help you understand how aged care fees may affect your finances. Call 132 300 and say Dịch vụ thông tin tài chính Khi được nhắc.
Tiếp tục tiến lên
Chúng tôi hiểu rằng việc phải đối mặt với chi phí chăm sóc người già có thể khiến bạn cảm thấy quá tải, nhưng bạn không cần phải tự mình vượt qua nó. Đội ngũ Doutta Galla của chúng tôi luôn sẵn sàng hỗ trợ bạn thông qua các thông tin, hướng dẫn và lời khuyên cá nhân.
Để biết thêm chi tiết, vui lòng liên hệ trực tiếp với chúng tôi hoặc truy cập trang web Chăm sóc người cao tuổi của tôi Hãy truy cập trang web để sử dụng công cụ ước tính phí của họ và tìm hiểu thêm về các chi phí cụ thể liên quan đến dịch vụ chăm sóc người già.
What is a Means Tested Care Fee?
The Means Tested Care Fee was an additional contribution towards care costs for residents with income and assets above set thresholds. It continues to apply to residents who entered care before 1 November 2025. For those entering care from 1 November 2025, it has been replaced by the Non-Clinical Care Contribution, which works similarly, is based on a Services Australia means assessment, and is subject to a lifetime cap.
Are there government subsidies available to help with aged care costs?
Yes. The government fully funds clinical care for all residents, and may cover some or all accommodation and living costs for people with limited income and assets. Eligibility is determined through a means assessment with Services Australia (1800 227 475). For couples, half the combined income and assets are considered.
What happens to the RAD if a resident passes away or leaves the facility?
The RAD balance is refunded to the resident or their estate, and refunds are guaranteed by the Australian Government. For residents who entered care from 1 November 2025, a retention amount of 2% per year (for up to five years) is deducted, along with any other amounts the resident agreed to have drawn from the deposit.
What is the Basic Daily Fee?
The Basic Daily Fee covers day-to-day services such as meals, cleaning, laundry, heating and cooling. It is set at 85% of the single basic Age Pension, and everyone in residential care pays it, including respite residents. The rate changes each March and September in line with the pension.
Tại Doutta Galla, chúng tôi cam kết cung cấp dịch vụ chăm sóc chất lượng và giá cả hợp lý cho mọi người. Việc hiểu rõ các chi phí liên quan là bước đầu tiên hướng tới việc lập kế hoạch cho tương lai và đảm bảo sự an tâm cho bạn và những người thân yêu của bạn.
