Paying for Care

Understanding the fees and charges in aged care

 

From 1 November 2025, the Australian Government will introduce a new aged care funding framework under the Aged Care Act 2025. These changes apply to all new residents entering care from that date and set clear limits on government fees and provider charges.

At Scalabrini, we believe in transparency and keeping things simple. Below, we explain the fees and contributions that may apply when moving into one of our villages.

The five main costs of care are:

01

Accommodation Payment:

  • This is the cost of your room. You can choose how to pay:
  • Option 1: A lump sum (Refundable Accommodation Deposit, or RAD)
  • Option 2: Daily payments (Daily Accommodation Payment, or DAP)
  • Option 3: Or a mix of both
  • Room prices for each Scalabrini village are available on the My Aged Care website or directly from us.
02

Basic Daily Fee:

  • All residents pay a government-set Basic Daily Fee to cover everyday living costs such as meals, cleaning, laundry, and utilities.
03

Daily Living Contribution (Hotelling Supplement Contribution):

  • Helps cover everyday living costs such as meals, cleaning and laundry. This amount is means-tested by Services Australia:
  • Residents with higher income or assets may contribute towards these costs.
  • Residents with lower means may have this contribution partly or fully funded by the Government.
04

Non-Clinical Care Contribution:

  • Covers the cost of personal and clinical care. This contribution is also means-tested and depends on your financial circumstances.
  • Covers the cost of personal and clinical care. This contribution is also means-tested and depends on your financial circumstances. There is no annual cap for the Non-Clinical Care Contribution (NCCC), but there is a lifetime cap of $137,917.01 and a 4-year cap, meaning you stop paying once you reach the lifetime cap or after four years of payments, whichever comes first. The $137,917.01 lifetime cap is a combined cap for both the non-clinical care contribution and contributions made under the Support at Home program.
05

Enhancing Your Everyday Life

  • The Higher Everyday Living Fee (HELF) is optional and gives residents access to an enriched daily experience - with a wider range of wellness, lifestyle, and social activities across the village. This fee is designed to provide extra comfort and choice for those who wish to enjoy more in their everyday life.
  • Residents can choose either the Base, Enhanced or Pay As You Go (PAYG) approach for individual services. These offerings form part of Scalabrini’s approach to providing enhanced daily living services, in addition to the standard care and lifestyle provisions required under the Aged Care Act 2024 and Aged Care Rules 2025.

Important to know

  • If you were a permanent resident before 1 July 2025, or held an approved Home Care Package before 20 September 2025, certain exemptions may apply.

In summary

  • Accommodation payment (room cost)
  • Basic Daily Fee
  • Non-Clinical Care Contribution (Government fee)
  • Hotel Services Supplement (Government fee)
  • Higher Everyday Living Fee (HELF) (Scalabrini value-add)
  • At Scalabrini, our goal is to make these changes clear, fair, and focused on what matters most: ensuring you feel at home.

Aged Care Cost Estimator

 

Choose your preferred Village & Room to view the associated costs or visit the My Aged Care Site. 

Refundable Accommodation Deposit

Enter an amount to see how your accommodation costs will change depending on your payment choice. The daily cost is based on the current maximum permissible interest rate (MPIR) of 8.43% as of the 1st of July 2026.

Max: $0
Accommodation cost
Daily Accommodation Payment
$0.00
Refundable Accommodation Deposit
$0

Daily cost Instead of paying for your accommodation as a lump sum you can choose to pay a daily fee known as the Daily Accommodation Payment (DAP). The amount you pay is based on a daily rate; as agreed with your service provider in line with the current MPIR (maximum permissible interest rate).

Refundable Accommodation Deposit This option is a lump sum accommodation payment. The balance of the deposit is refunded when you leave the aged care home less any amounts you have agreed to have deducted. From 1 November 2025 a 2% annual retention amount applies for up to five years (maximum 10%), in line with Government requirements.

Accommodation prices are correct but are subject to change. Final costs are confirmed on the date of admission (subject to your means assessment, if you have one). Note: any contribution to your cost of care may change if your financial circumstances change.

Care fees
Basic daily fee
66.80
Hotelling Supplement Contribution
Up to $22.15 per day
Non-Clinical Care Contribution
Up to $107.32 per day
Higher Everyday Living Fee (HELF)
Optional - Packages available up $25 per day

Basic Daily Fee

All residents pay a government-set Basic Daily Fee to cover everyday living costs such as meals, cleaning, laundry, and utilities. Like the aged pension, it is indexed with increases every March and September.

Daily Living Contribution (Hotelling Supplement Contribution)

Helps cover everyday living costs such as meals, cleaning and laundry. This amount is means-tested by Services Australia:

  • Residents with higher income or assets may contribute towards these costs.
  • Residents with lower means may have this contribution partly or fully funded by the Government.

Non-Clinical Care Contribution

Covers the cost of personal and clinical care. This contribution is also means-tested and depends on your financial circumstances.

Enhancing Your Everyday Life

The Higher Everyday Living Fee (HELF) is optional and gives residents access to an enriched daily experience – with a wider range of wellness, lifestyle, and social activities across the village. This fee is designed to provide extra comfort and choice for those who wish to enjoy more in their everyday life.

What's Next?

OR

Need more information?

We have created a list of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to Aged Care. We hope to support you in any way we can.

Scalabrini FAQ's

Speak with our Community Relationship Team

Looking for advice on finding the right care home for you or your loved one? Our knowledgeable Community Relationship Team is always here to help.

1800 722 522

Not sure where to start?

We are here to help

  • 1800 722 522
  • salesenquiries@scalabrini.com.au
  • Suite 2, Level 6, 9 Help Street, Chatswood NSW 2067
  • Support Office Hours are 9:00 am to 5:00 pm | Monday to Friday