Better Health Channel
betterhealth.vic.gov.au Department of Health
betterhealth.vic.gov.au Department of Health
  • The Australian Government covers most of the cost of living in an aged care home but you may have to pay something towards the cost of your care. 
  • How much you have to pay to stay in a residential aged care home will depend on the kind of care you need, the aged care home you choose and your financial situation. 
  • The Australian Government Department of Human Services will assess your income and assets to work out how much financial assistance you will receive. 
  • The main costs of aged care homes are divided into four areas: basic daily fees, means-tested care fees, accommodation payments and fees for any extra services.
  • If paying for your aged care will cause you financial hardship, you can apply for government help, but this cannot be used to pay for fees related to any extra services.
  • For an estimate of what you will be asked to pay for while living in a residential aged care home, use the Residential Care Fee Estimator on the My Aged Care website.

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Content on this website is provided for information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional. The information and materials contained on this website are not intended to constitute a comprehensive guide concerning all aspects of the therapy, product or treatment described on the website. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions and to ascertain whether the particular therapy, service, product or treatment described on the website is suitable in their circumstances. The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website.

Reviewed on: 14-10-2015