We understand that your cost of living is an important consideration. That’s why we’re committed to providing you with quality, affordable care and accommodation, and will work with you to find options within your budget. Your fees and payments are regulated by the Australian Government and may be subsidised based on your income and assets.
As a resident of a Uniting aged care home, there are 4 main types of costs that you may be asked to pay:
- Basic daily care fee, plus
- Means-tested care fee, plus
- Accommodation fee payment or contribution, plus
- Additional services fee. Basic daily care fee
- All residents pay the daily fee.
Basic daily care fee
- All residents pay the daily fee.
- This contributes to your living costs such as meals, power, laundry, personal and nursing care.
- Most people pay the standard fee which is 85% of the single person rate of the Age Pension.
- The basic daily care fee is adjusted each March and September in line with changes to the Age Pension.
Means-tested care fee
- Some people may be required to pay an additional contribution towards the cost of care.
- Services Australia works this out based on your income and assets (means).
- In addition to Services Australia sending you an initial fee notification letter, there is also a quarterly review process undertaken by Services Australia (each January, March, July and September) where adjustments to meanstested care fees can be made in response to changing financial or personal circumstances.
- There are annual and lifetime caps that apply to the means-tested care fee.
Accommodation fee payment or contribution
- This is the fee to cover the cost of your accommodation in the aged care home.
- Some people will have their accommodation costs met in full or in part by the Australian Government. Others will be asked to pay the accommodation price advertised by the aged care home.
- You only need to make an accommodation fee payment or contribution if your means (income and assets) exceed the thresholds determined by the Australian Government.
- Pricing information, which includes the accommodation costs for the aged care home you are moving into or are interested in moving into, should be provided to you by Uniting.
Additional services fee
An additional services fee applies for services that go beyond the minimum care and service requirements, including a range of recreational, wellbeing and lifestyle services.
You have 28 days from date of entry to elect which payment option you choose. Please note you will be charged the Daily Accommodation Payment from date of entry unless and until a lump sum payment is made.
Frequently asked questions
Why is it important for Services Australia to know my means?
Services Australia will need to assess your income and asset details to identify if you can get help to pay for your aged care accommodation and also how much you need to pay as your means-tested care fees (if anything). If they can’t work out the applicable fees and payments because they do not have enough information then you will default to the maximum fees applicable. If you receive a means tested income support payment (such as the age pension) please ensure you have updated Centrelink or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) with your financial and personal details within the last two years. Please also ensure you have updated them on any other recent changes to your financial or personal circumstances. If you haven’t, or are unsure, please go online through myGov, or call Centrelink (on 132 300) or the DVA (on 1800 555 254) to update your details. See Uniting’s flyer “Getting an income and asset assessment for residential aged care” for more details.
Do I need to do anything further if I am on a means tested income support payment and I have updated my financial details recently?
Yes, if you own or part own your home, you need to complete form SA485 (Residential Aged Care Property Details for Centrelink and DVA Customers). Services Australia needs to have
details of your home and if you might be seeking protected status for the home, for example, because your spouse will continue to reside there. If however, you do not own (or part own) your
home, it is recommended you phone Services Australia on 1800 227 475 or DVA on 1800 555 254 to request a pre-commencement letter that will confirm this status.
If however, you do not own (or part own) your home, it is recommended you phone Services Australia on 1800 227 475 or DVA on 1800 555 254 to request a pre-commencement letter that will confirm this status.
What if I don’t have a means-tested income support payment?
You need to complete form SA457 (Residential Aged Care Calculation of your cost of care) if you are a self-funded retiree or do not have a means-tested income support payment (such as a
blind pension or carer allowance). This is because, unless you lodge this form, Services Australia won’t have enough information to work out the applicable fees and payments.
Is there an online or digital version of SA457 or SA485?
There is a digital version SA486 (Aged Care calculation of your cost of care) that can be used. You can find it here: www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/forms/sa486. You are encouraged to
use this digital form as the form is dynamic and will present different questions based on the answers you give. Using this form is the easiest way to complete your assessment. Once it is completed, you do need to print and sign the form and send it to either Services Australia or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs at the address provided.
Where can I get a copy of forms SA457 or SA485?
Your aged care home should be able to provide a copy if requested, or you can phone Services Australia on 1800 227 475 to request a copy.
What if I choose not to complete this assessment or don’t provide either any or enough information for a means assessment to be finalised?
If Services Australia can’t work out the applicable fees and payments because they have not received the assets and income details required then you will default to the maximum fees applicable and note that Uniting will pass on these fees in full. These fees include both the maximum means-tested fees and the full accommodation fee. This classification is called Means Not Disclosed or MND. If you are choosing to opt out then you can complete form SA457 or digital version SA486 and answer ‘no’ to the question “Do you want to provide your income and asset details so we can calculate your cost of care?” In the instance of both being “means not disclosed” or “opting out”, note that annual and lifetime caps of the means-tested fees will still apply.
Can I organise for a means assessment before I move into care?
Yes, you can. Please be aware that the assessment will only be valid for 120 days from when the Services Australia notify you of the outcome. If your circumstances change during this period
you will need to update Services Australia or DVA of the changes, as it might impact your means assessment. If eligible, you can also phone Services Australia or DVA to request a pre-commencement letter.
What if I don’t have a means assessment confirmation prior to moving in?
Normally, it is best to have your means assessment advice prior to moving into residential care but this isn’t always possible. It is preferable for you to complete the form as soon as possible so that you can be billed at the correct rate. You may be asked to pay interim accommodation or means-tested care fees until your assessment advice is received.
How soon will Services Australia notify me of confirmation of my fees once I do move into care?
Services Australia aims to process Means Assessments within 28 days. This is contingent upon all the necessary information being provided. The fee confirmation letter will be generated following this, or once notification of entry to care is provided by Uniting.
How can I estimate my care fees that might apply?
There is a ‘residential care fee estimator’ on the My Aged Care website or phone 1800 200 422 for help with navigating this tool.
What if I can’t afford to pay an accommodation payment?
Uniting maintains a ratio of people who have been assessed by Services Australia as having means below certain thresholds. These people will receive government assistance towards their accommodation costs. You may still be asked to make a contribution towards your accommodation as a calculated amount. The calculation is undertaken by Services Australia as part of the means assessment process.
What if I am transferring from another service?
If you first entered an aged care home on or after 1st July 2014, you must have a new means-tested amount determined each time you move to a new aged care home. If, however, you have kept
Services Australia or DVA informed of changes to your means and circumstances, you may not need to complete a full assessment. Please phone Services Australia on 1800 227 475 to verify what you need to do. If you first entered an aged care home before 1st July 2014 you can elect to ‘grandparent’ your existing financial arrangements or you could opt to move across to the new pricing arrangements. An information flyer is available from Services Australia that describes this further.
Should I get financial and/or legal advice?
It is important that you have all of the information about the financial impact of moving into residential care. We recommend you seek financial advice from your pension provider or an independent financial planner. You might also decide to seek legal advice prior to signing a resident agreement but you don’t have to.
Will I get a contract?
If you accept an offer of placement with Uniting you will receive a Residency Agreement that covers things like services provided, costs, and rights and responsibilities. If you haven’t
yet received a sample copy of our Residency Agreement, please contact Uniting so we can provide it for you.
How do the accounts and payments work?
You will receive an account statement with your fees and charges itemised. Your fees are billed monthly, in advance. Our preferred method of payment is direct debit.
Find out more
For more information about accommodation
payments, please visit the My Aged Care website
on www.myagedcare.gov.au or phone the
My Aged Care contact centre on 1800 200 422.
Disclaimer:
*This information is current as at October 2021. This article is intended to provide general information only and has been prepared without taking into account any particular person’s objectives, financial situation or needs (‘circumstances’). Before acting on such information, you should consider its appropriateness, taking into account your circumstances and obtain your own independent financial, legal or tax advice. You should read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) before making any decision about a product. While all care has been taken to ensure the information is accurate and reliable, to the maximum extent the law permits, Clearview and its related bodies corporate, or each of their directors, officers, employees, contractors or agents, will not assume liability to any person for any error or omission in this material however caused, nor be responsible for any loss or damage suffered, sustained or incurred by any person who either does, or omits to do, anything in reliance on the information contained herein.
