Understanding aged care fees and charges
Understanding aged care fees
You may be able to access government funded aged care services. This may include assistance with moving into an aged care home, end of life care, respite services or supports in your own home.
It is important to understand the fees and charges you may be required to pay. How much you pay will depend on a range of factors including:
The aged care service you want to access, for example support at home or residential aged care;
Your financial situation;
The fees your provider charges for the relevant aged care service; and
Other personal circumstances, for example, your care needs.
You should always seek legal and financial advice when making any decisions regarding aged care. A financial advisor can help you make appropriate choices for your circumstances and guide you through the decisions regarding the transition into aged care.
You can find out more information on fees and charges on the My Aged Care website:
If you cannot afford aged care, you may be eligible for financial hardship assistance.
How do I know what I will pay?
My Aged Care also contains useful information which can assist you with understanding what fees and contributions may apply to you, including calculators to estimate your costs.
To find out if you are eligible for government assistance with your aged care services you will need to complete an income and assets assessment for support at home or a means assessment for residential aged care.
Your provider is required to explain the fees and any relevant contributions to you. All your fees must also be clearly set out in the relevant agreements with the aged care provider. You can use the My Aged Care how to choose a provider tool for more information on providers in your area.
Residential aged care fees
The information below sets out the fees which may apply to you if you are entering a home for the first time on or after 1 November 2025. For other arrangements which may apply to you please visit the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.
Accommodation cost
Agreed with your provider
Your accommodation costs is the room price you agree with your provider.
There are 3 ways to pay:
Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD): this a lump sum payment made by you to cover the agreed room price. The balance is refunded when you leave the care home. Any amounts you have agreed to deduct and the compulsory refundable deposit retention amount are not refundable.
Daily Accommodation Payment (DAP): this is a daily fee made by you to cover the agreed room price. This is generally paid monthly. The DAP is subject to indexation.
Combination Payment: this is a payment combination of RAD and DAP made by you to cover the agreed room price.
All providers are required to publish their maximum room prices on My Aged Care.
Find out more on My Aged Care.
Basic Daily Fee (BDF)
Determined by the Australian Government
Every resident must pay this fee for daily living expenses
This fee is set at 85% of the single basic aged pension and is indexed twice a year, in March and September
Hotelling Supplement Contribution (HSC)
Determined by the Australian Government
HSC is a means-tested contribution that covers everyday living expenses, including food, cleaning, laundry, and utilities.
Your contribution (if any) is determined by your means assessment completed through Services Australia. The HSC is capped at a daily maximum and is indexed twice a year, in March and September
Non Clinical Care Contribution (NCCC)
Determined by the Australian Government
NCCC is a means-tested contribution that covers non-clinical care services such as bathing, mobility support, and lifestyle activities.
Your contribution (if any) is determined by your means assessment completed through Services Australia. The NCCC is capped at a daily maximum and is payable for a maximum of 4 years or until a lifetime cap is reached.
Higher Everyday Living Fee (HELF)
Determined by the provider
This is an optional fee.
This fee provides individuals access to a higher standard of additional services than what is required in your home and must be provided to each resident. How much you pay will depend on the higher everyday living services your provider may offer.
You can select to purchase these higher services after you enter your new home.
Bupa Aged Care provides residential aged care services in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia.
If you or your loved one is looking to move into a Bupa aged care home, you can use our accommodation fee estimator to estimate your residential aged care costs.
Home Care fees
Bupa Aged Care only provides residential aged care services – it does not offer or provide home care services. The information on this page is for informational purposes only.
Support at Home Program
Funding
Individuals are allocated a quarterly budget. Your budget is based on your classification to meet your assessed care needs
Budgets are indexed annually
If you do not spend your budget, it is carried over to the next quarter
Accessing services
You can spend your budget on services and care you need with providers of home care services
Providers set their own prices. Providers must publish a full list of their services and prices online
Your provider must set out the services and fees that they will provide to you in a service agreement
Use the My Aged Care Find a provider tool to find providers and compare services and prices.
Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP)
Funding
CHSP providers receive funding to provide CHSP services to eligible individuals under grant agreements with the Australian Government
You may be asked to pay a contribution towards the services you have been assessed as being eligible for
What you pay will depend on your personal circumstances and the services you need
Accessing services
You will need to connect with a CHSP provider to find out the services they provide and their fees
The CHSP provider must advise you of the contribution you may need to pay
The services you receive and any contribution payable by you must be set out in a services agreement
If you are experiencing financial hardship talk to your CHSP provider
Learn more on the My Aged Care website.