Aged care costs

Understanding fees and charges in aged care

Moving into a care home is a big decision and it is important to gain an understanding of the fees associated with your care and accommodation. Your fees may vary according to the type of care you require, the home that you choose and also your financial situation. We recommend you seek financial advice before entering an aged care home to help you choose the right payment option for you.

To help ensure that care is affordable for everyone, the Australian Government calculates and regulates maximum daily fees and enforces limits as to how much you can be asked to pay for accommodation.

Fees and payments

Your fees cover the care you receive and your accommodation, and sometimes additional services. Outlined below are the fees you may be required to pay based on the aged care home and room type you are considering.

State:

Home:

Displaying prices for

Care Fees

Basic daily care fee

$51.63 per day

Means tested care fee

Determined by the Department of Human Services

What is this?

Care fees include the Basic Daily Care Fee and a Means Tested Care Fee.

Basic Daily Care Fee

This fee is set out by the Government and equates to 85% of the full pension. The fee amount will be reviewed on the 20th March and 20th September each year in line with the pension increase. Everyone in aged care is required to pay this fee unless they are experiencing financial hardship which will be determined by Centrelink.

Means Tested Care Fee

This is an additional daily care contribution fee based upon an individual’s assets and income. This fee is determined by the Department of Human Services upon completing a ‘Request for a Combined Assets and Income Assessment form’ and is capped annually and over a resident’s lifetime.

PLUS

Accommodation Fees

Your choice of 4 fee payment options

View payment option details

What is this?

This payment will differ at each home based upon the room type you choose. To allow you flexibility there are four payment options to choose from.

Daily accommodation payment
Refundable accommodation deposit
Combination payment
Drawdown payment

PLUS

Other services

Extra services for Loading

Additional services for Loading

Loading per day

What is this?

Extra service homes have licensed extra service beds which require an extra daily fee. These homes offer a higher standard of accommodation, food and service. Whether you are in an extra service home or not, the quality of your care remains the same. For more information on what our extra services at this care home include, please contact us.

Additional services are offered in some of our aged care homes on an “opt in, opt out” basis; examples of additional services offered are Foxtel packages, telephone and newspapers. For a full list of optional services and prices at this care home, please contact us.

Accommodation prices are accurate as at 29 February, 2020 but are subject to change. Final costs are confirmed on the date of admission (subject to receiving the assets and income assessment letter if you choose to carry out this assessment).

Accommodation fee options

In addition to care fees you may also be required to pay an accommodation payment. The accommodation payment refers to the price of the room that you choose and will vary across aged care homes. The amount that you are required to pay is based upon an individual’s assets and income and is determined by the Department of Human Services through completing a Request for a Combined Assets and Income Assessment. You may be required to pay all or contribute to the cost of your accommodation. This form is not compulsory to complete, but for those who choose not to you will be required to pay the full room price.

To allow for flexibility there are four ways in which you can choose to pay for your accommodation.

Prices below based on Loading

room.

Option 1

Daily Accommodation Payment

Loading per day

for a Loading room

What is this?

Instead of paying for your accommodation as a lump sum you can choose to pay a daily fee. The amount you pay is based on a daily rate; as agreed with your service provider in line with the current MPIR (maximum permissible interest rate).

Option 2

Refundable Accommodation Deposit

for a Loading room

What is this?

This option is a lump sum accommodation payment. The balance of the deposit is refunded when you leave the aged care home less any amounts you have agreed to have deducted.

Option 3

Combination Payment

Use this helpful tool to calculate your desired combination payment. Entering an amount will automatically adjust the second amount.

Daily Accommodation Payment

$ per day

AND

Refundable Accommodation Deposit

$ lump sum

What is this?

Part refundable accommodation (RAD) deposit and part daily accommodation payment (DAP); with the part Refundable Accommodation Deposit being refunded when you leave the aged care home.

Option 4

Drawdown Payment

What is this?

This option is similar to the combination option but the Daily Accommodation Payment component is taken from your Refundable Accommodation Deposit, with the balance of the deposit refunded when you leave the aged care home.

FAQ's

Expand all

Is it compulsory to carry out a Combined Assets and Income Assessment?

No, it is not compulsory to carry out a Combined Assets and Income Assessment. For those who choose not to carry out this assessment you will be charged the maximum means tested care fee and the full accommodation price once your ACFI (Aged Care Funding Instrument) assessment has been received by the Department of Social Services.
How long does it take to get a Combined Assets and Income Assessment?

It takes approximately 2-4 weeks to receive your assets and income letter after submitting the form to the Department of Human Services. We encourage you to complete this in advance so you have the information ready for when you come into care.
How long is a Combined Assets and Income Assessment valid for?

This assessment is valid for 120 days from the date that you receive your letter from the Department of Human Services.
Will I receive any Government funding?

This is all dependent upon an individual’s assets and income assessment and is determined by the Department of Human Services by completing a Combined Assets and Income Assessment. Depending upon your personal situation you may be classified as a ‘Fully Supported Resident’ or a ‘Partially Supported Resident’ and receive some financial assistance from the Government.
If I choose to pay for my accommodation by a Refundable Accommodation Deposit, is this completely refundable when I leave my care home?

Yes, the amount that you put down in a lump sum will be completely refundable when you leave the aged care home. Circumstances where this would not be the case would include when you have chosen the drawn down payment option or you have elected to have some other fees taken from your Refundable Accommodation Deposit.
How much does respite care cost?

You will be required to pay the basic daily care fee and also an extra service fee for those who choose an extra services home. You have up to 63 respite days available in a financial year but most of our homes limit respite to two weeks at a time.
Should I seek financial advice?

Yes, it is always recommended to seek financial advice from an accredited financial advisor who can guide you through the financial decisions relating to aged care. Bupa’s Financial Guidance Panel provides options for accredited financial advisors who have completed comprehensive training in financial advice specific to aged care. Find an adviser near you
I am a Bupa Health Insurance member; will I receive any discounts for Bupa Aged Care?

You do not need to be a Bupa Insurance Member to enter one of our aged care homes. If you do have Bupa Insurance you will not receive any benefits or discounts in Bupa Aged Care.
Why has Bupa contacted me regarding Extra Services?

We are currently contacting residents in relation to Extra Services in our homes. These are accommodation or hospitality services such as hairdressing services or access to newspapers. If you would like information about this, please click here