Residential Aged Care Costs Explained

For individuals entering residential aged care from 1 November 2025.

A. Respite (Short-Term) Care Costs 

• If you’re joining us for a short stay, the Basic Daily Care Fee (BDCF) is the only fee you’ll pay. This contribution helps cover everyday living costs such as meals, cleaning, and laundry. 
  
• The Australian Government covers the remaining care costs for up to 63 days of respite care each financial year for people approved to receive government-subsidised care. Learn how to get approval.  
• Respite care offers short-term support in a safe and comfortable setting, allowing you to receive the care you need while your caregiver also has time to rest and recharge. 
• If you’ve already used your annual 63-day allocation before or during your stay, a higher non-subsidised rate may apply for any additional days - but don’t worry, we’ll always explain your options clearly and help you make the best decision for your situation. 
• You can check your remaining respite days by calling Services Australia on 1800 195 206. 

B) Permanent Care Costs 

If you move into an aged care home permanently, you’ll contribute to the cost of your accommodation, daily living, and personal care if you can afford to do so.  If you can’t afford these costs, there are government protections in place to ensure you still receive the care you need. Your fees are set and regulated by the Australian Government and may be partly or fully subsidised depending on your income and assets.  

 There are up to four types of fees you may need to pay, depending on your circumstances:

1. Basic Daily Fee (BDF)  
2. Accommodation Costs  
3. Hotelling Contribution 
4. Non-Clinical Care Contribution (NCCC)  

1. Basic Daily Care Fee: paid by everyone 

• Everyone in aged care, including respite residents, pays this fee. 

• It contributes to your day-to-day living costs, like meals, cleaning and laundry. 

• This fee is set by the Australian Government at 85% of the single Age Pension and is increased twice a year, in line with pension increases by Centrelink. 

3. Hotelling Contribution: means-tested

This is a means-tested daily fee paid by residents as an additional contribution towards the everyday living cost, in addition to the BDF. The amount is set by the Government. 

4. Non-Clinical Care Contribution (NCCC): means-tested

• This is a means-tested daily fee that helps cover non-clinical care costs such as personal care, mobility support and lifestyle activities. The amount is set by the Government. 

• It has daily and lifetime limits on how much you can be asked to pay. These limits are reviewed twice a year to reflect changes in the cost of living. 

• Any contributions made under the home support program prior to entering residential aged care will count towards the NCCC lifetime cap.