Before you can enter a hostel or nursing home you must be assessed and approved for care by an Aged Care Assessment Team (“ACAT”).  ACATs are generally made up of local doctors, nurses, social workers and the like and they are usually located at hospitals, aged care centres or community centres.  In appropriate circumstances they can see you in your own home or in hospital in order to make an assessment.

Care and Services

Residential care facilities must provide the following "Specified Care and Services":

Accommodation services include:

Low level care services are personal care type services. They include:

High level care services are nursing type services and additional personal care services. They include:

Continence aids must be provided free of charge only for high level care residents. Low level care residents who need continence aids may make arrangements with the hostel to provide them for an additional charge. Alternatively, residents may obtain their own supplies.

Veterans and war widow(er)s may be entitled to additional services through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (link below).

Fees and Charges

When you move from your home to a residential care facility, your (changed) circumstances can affect your pension and the amount you pay for care.  It is therefore a good idea to seek professional financial advice and it is wise to prepare in advance so that your affairs can be structured so as to obtain the best outcome.  The free Financial Information Service (13 10 21) may be a good place to start.

Most payments for Commonwealth Government funded residential care services are GST-free.  GST is generally only payable to the extent that a payment relates to additional discretionary services, such as hairdressing, where the supplier is registered or is required to be registered for GST.

Depending on the nursing home and your personal and financial circumstances, you may be asked to pay:

The following expenses may qualify for the medical expenses tax offset (ATO link below):

Quality Safeguards

A number of safeguards have been put in place to ensure that residents receive adequate quality of care and services.

Accreditation:  Hostels and nursing homes must satisfy a set of Accreditation Standards in order to receive Government funding.  The standards relate to matters such as health, personal care, lifestyle, safety and quality of buildings and surroundings, and management and organisational development.  Once accredited, hostels and nursing homes are regularly monitored to ensure continued compliance. 

Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency:  This independent agency manages the accreditation process, assists hostels and nursing homes to improve the quality of care and services, and refers transgressors to the Department of Health and Ageing for corrective action.  You can contact the agency (see below) to find out how a particular facility is rated.

The Aged Care Complaints Resolution Scheme:  This scheme allows residents to make complaints about issues that cannot be resolved with staff and management of the facility.  It is operated by the Department of Health and Ageing and is overseen by an independent Commissioner for Complaints.  Anyone can make a complaint about anything that may constitute a breach of the service providers responsibilities to past or present residents.  Complaints can be kept confidential or anonymous.  You can also complain to the responsible manager or the National Commissioner for Complaints if you are not satisfied with the operation of the scheme.

Advocacy Services:  These services are provided free of charge to help people exercise their rights.  Information, advice, support and representation can be provided to residents and their carers or other representatives on a confidential basis.

Community Visitors Scheme:  This scheme facilitates regular friendly visits for isolated or lonely residents.

Internet Links

The Department of Health and Ageing has created the Aged Care Australia website, which is without doubt the most comprehensive source of information regarding aged care in Australia.

The Department of Veterans’ Affairs

Australian Taxation Office: Information about Medical Expenses Tax Offsets

Telephone Numbers

Aged Care Information Line:  1800 500 853

Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency:

Aged Care Complaints Resolution Scheme:  1800 550 552

Advocacy Services:

Commonwealth Carelink Centre:  1800 052 222

Financial Information Service:  13 10 21