This fee applies to all residents entering residential aged care, whether for respite or permanent care. It covers daily living services.
The basic daily fee is set by the government at 85% of the single age pension and is reviewed twice a year in March and September. Prices are published on the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website.
What you contribute towards your care depends on your individual circumstances, assessed through a government means assessment.
This contribution covers daily living services such as meals, cleaning and laundry.
This contribution covers personal care, such as bathing, mobility assistance, and lifestyle activities.
This contribution covers other costs of care.
This is an amount that you may need to pay to cover the full costs of your room, depending on your means assessment. Accommodation cost can be paid in one of three ways:
The type of lump sum depends on the outcome of your means assessment. A refundable accommodation deposit (RAD) is when you pay the full amount yourself upfront. A refundable accommodation contribution (RAC) is when the government helps with the costs. RAD payments are refunded when you leave care.
The type of daily payment depends on the outcome of your means assessment. A daily accommodation payment (DAP) is when you pay the full daily amount yourself. A daily accommodation contribution (DAC) is when the government helps with the daily costs. Daily payments work like rent payments and are not refunded when you leave care.
A combination of refundable lump sum and daily payments
This is when you combine the 2 types of payments to meet your costs. You can split the combination any way you choose.
Maximum Permissible Interest Rate (MPIR): 8.43%
RAD (Refundable Accommodation Deposit): RAD is defined as: “A lump sum that is refunded when you leave care. Please note if you entered residential aged care on or after 1 November 2025, RAD retention rules may apply. Learn more.
DAP (Daily Accommodation Payment): Interest charged on the unpaid RAD balance, calculated using the Maximum Permissible Interest Rate (MPIR) of 8.43%.
Formula: Reduced DAP = (Full RAD − RAD Paid) × MPIR ÷ 365
Note: A separate Basic Daily Fee also applies to all residents. This fee is set by the government at 85% of the single Age Pension and is reviewed twice a year. For the current rate, please visit the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website.
Once you’ve confirmed you meet eligibility requirements for residential care, our supportive six-step process will guide you through the journey to your new home.
1. Gather key documents
2. Submit your application
3. Meet our admissions team
4. Optional tour
5. Receive your move-in date
6. Welcome to your new home!
We’re here to make the next step simple. Whether you’re ready to apply to live at St Agnes' Site or just need advice, our team is here to guide you with compassion and clarity.
St Agnes’ Catholic Parish acknowledges the Birpai people as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we live, work, and serve. We acknowledge their deep connection to this land, its waters, skies, and stories, nurtured with wisdom, care, and resilience for countless generations. We pay our respects to Elders past, present, and emerging and extend this respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
