Residential Aged Care Homes in Australia

There’s no single sign. It’s usually a gradual shift. You might notice increasing difficulty managing daily activities like cooking, bathing, or medication. Falls may be becoming more frequent. Perhaps the person you care for is feeling isolated, or you’re finding it harder to provide the level of support they need at home. If the care required is more than what can be safely managed with in-home support, residential care may offer a safer, more supportive environment. Our team can help you think through that decision. Call us anytime for an honest conversation.

The first step is to contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or apply online. You’ll go through a screening process, followed by a needs assessment conducted through the Single Assessment System (SAS) — a single assessment pathway that replaced the former Aged Care Assessment Teams in December 2024. If you’re assessed as eligible for residential care, you can then choose a provider. You’re also welcome to contact us at any stage. We can guide you through how the process works and what to expect.

Costs depend on your individual financial circumstances. Everyone pays a basic daily fee, which is set by the Australian Government and indexed twice a year (in March and September). Beyond that, you may be asked to contribute toward accommodation and care costs based on a means assessment conducted by Services Australia. The Australian Government subsidises the majority of care costs, and lifetime caps apply to protect residents from paying indefinitely. You can use the My Aged Care fee estimator to get a clearer picture of what you might pay, and we’d always recommend seeking independent financial advice before making a decision.

Absolutely, and we encourage it. Visiting in person is one of the best ways to get a feel for the environment, meet the team, and ask questions. You can arrange a tour of our Perth or Brisbane home by getting in touch with our team. You can also compare aged care homes across Australia using the Star Ratings published on the My Aged Care website.

Support at Home provides funded support services while you continue living in your own home. That includes things like personal care, meal preparation, transport, and allied health. Residential aged care in Australia is for people who need a higher level of support than can be safely provided at home, including 24-hour nursing care and supervised living. Some families start with Support at Home and transition to residential care as needs increase, and that’s a completely normal path.

Under the Aged Care Act 2024, every person receiving government-funded aged care services is protected by a Statement of Rights. These include the right to safe and quality care, respect for your dignity and privacy, involvement in decisions about your care, and the ability to raise concerns without fear of reprisal. The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission oversees these standards and handles complaints. You can contact them on 1800 951 822 if you ever have concerns about an aged care home.