BaptistCare - Communities for Life.

What Will It Cost?

Residential aged care fees and charges

The cost of residential aged care is based on three main factors:

• income
• care needs – low care or high care
• assets.

Calculating the fees for each individual is complex and information provided here is a guide only. Fees for each individual are calculated by the Commonwealth Government and the fees are updated several times a year.

For detailed information about your own situation, please call the Department of Health and Ageing on 1800 200 422.

Assessment of income

A person wishing to enter a residential aged care facility may be charged a daily care fee and an income tested fee, depending on his or her income.

A person receiving the full pension – will be charged the standard daily care fee ($37.73 - $41.34 per day).

A person with income above the maximum income of a full pensioner – will be asked to pay the standard daily care fee plus an income tested fee calculated by the Department of Health and Ageing ($0 - $66.43 per day).

Low care or high care

People entering into residential care may be charged a bond or an accommodation fee, depending on whether they have been classified as needing low care or high care. This is assessed by the Aged Care Assessment Team.

A person needing low care – may be charged a bond, depending on his or her assets.

A person needing high care – will not be charged a bond, but may be charged an accommodation fee, depending on his or her assets.

Assessment of assets

A person wishing to enter a residential aged care facility may be charged a bond or an accommodation fee, depending on his or her assets.

A person with assets less than $40,500

• Low care – no bond
• High care – no accommodation charge

A person with assets over $40,500

• Low care – bond = asset value - $40,500 – negotiable, depending on individual circumstances
• High care – accommodation charge calculated by Department of Health and Ageing (up to $32.38 per day)

What happens to the accommodation bond?

The accommodation bond amount is negotiated, within Government guidelines to ensure the person entering care retains at least $40,500 in assets. Baptistcare will draw down from the bond fortnightly an amount set by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing for a period of five years. In the event of a resident vacating the facility, the balance of the bond is returned.

There are alternative bonds available for those who are eligible and have a very strong financial position.