Understanding
Aged Care Fees

Fees & charges explained

What you pay for Residential Aged Care can be broken down into three key areas.

Basic Daily Fee
Everyone pays this fee which covers day-to-day services such as laundry, cleaning and meals. It is 85% of the single basic Age Pension.

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Higher Everyday Living Fees*
Cover higher everyday living services our homes provide, including enhanced food and entertainment options.

*Applies to new residents from 1 November 2025

(when applicable)

A government-assessed additional fee that you may be required to pay towards your care based on the outcome of your aged care income and assets test. Annual and lifetime caps apply.

Hotelling Supplement Contribution (HSC)
A fee introduced from 1 July 2025 to help fund day-to-day expenses in aged care homes, depending on assessable assets and income.

(when applicable)

Covers the cost of your room and is dependent on the aged care facility you are moving into. The amount payable is also based on the outcome of your aged care income and assets test.

Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD)
A lump sum amount that is refunded when you leave care (less 2% per annum for up to 5 years).

Daily Accommodation Payment (DAP)
A daily payment that is not refunded when you leave care and will be indexed in March and September each year.

Combination of RAD + DAP
Any combination of lump sum and daily payment. You can choose to draw your daily payment from your paid lump sum.

Use the Combination Payment Calculator below to get an estimate of your daily payment when choosing this payment option.

Combination Payment Calculator

By choosing your preferred Aged Care home and room type, you can use this calculator to get an estimate of what your Daily Accommodation Payment (DAP) would be when using the combination payment option for your accommodation fees.

The calculator is based on the current maximum permissible interest rate (MPIR) of 7.65% set by the government.

This tool is to be used as a guide only and we encourage you to seek independent financial advice.

Start by selecting your home below

See our Aged Care homes for yourself

Book in for one of our guided tours.

ACAT Assessment Process

Before you can move into a Residential Aged Care community or access Respite Care, you’ll need to apply for what’s known as an ACAT assessment.

This is arranged by My Aged Care, an information service run by the Australian Government.

Check out our ACAT support page for more advice. Here we aim to answer all your questions and guide you through the process.

If you would prefer to meet in person, get in touch to request an appointment.

Nobody can do everything but everyone can do something.

UnitingSA relies on the generosity of donors to help deliver innovative programs and support for people in need across metropolitan and regional South Australia.

“I would still be on the streets if it wasn’t for the support of UnitingSA. It means the world to me to have a house for my whole family and to be able to tuck my children in at night.”

William,
Received support from UnitingSA Homelessness Services

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Emergency Assistance Suburbs

UnitingSA is only able to provide material assistance (food and/or clothing vouchers etc.) to individuals and families residing in the Western suburbs of Adelaide.

Suburbs in our current service area are listed below.

Suburb
Postcode
Alberton
5014
Albert Park
5014
Birkenhead
5015
Cheltenham
5014
Ethelton
5015
Exeter
5015
Findon
5023
Fulham
5024
Fulham Gardens
5024
Gillman
5013
Glanville
5015
Grange
5022
Hendon
5014
Henley Beach
5022
Henley Beach South
5022
Kidman Park
5025
Largs Bay
5018
Largs North
5016
New Port Quays
5015
North Haven
5017
Osborne
5017
Ottoway
5013
Pennington
5013
Peterhead
5016
Port Adelaide
5015
Queenstown
5015
Rosewater
5013
Royal Park
5014
Seaton
5023
Semaphore
5019
Semaphore Park
5019
St Clair
5011
Taperoo
5017
Tennyson
5022
West Lakes
5021
West Lakes Shore
5020
Wingfield
5013
Woodville
5011
Woodville West
5011
West Beach
5024
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