Aged Care Fees and Charges Explained for Home and Residential Care

Working out aged care costs can be a challenging part of arranging support for an ageing parent. The fee structure changed on 1 November 2025, yet outdated information is still circulating online. This guide explains current fees for both in-home and residential care in plain terms, so families working with an aged care provider in Wagga Wagga know what to expect.

Two Settings, Two Fee Structures

Aged care costs fall into two settings: care delivered in your own home and care delivered in a residential aged care home. Each works differently:

• In-home care: Supports a person to remain in their own home, with services coming to them.
• Residential care: Involves moving into a facility full-time.

For many older Australians, staying at home is the preferred option, and in-home care has grown to meet that demand.

In-Home Care Pricing With Home at Heart

Home at Heart delivers in-home care under the Support at Home program across the Riverina, Wagga Wagga, and Geelong. Support at Home Services in Wagga Wagga are priced openly, with no surprises and no hidden costs.

Standard hours rates for the Wagga Wagga and Riverina region:

A few things to know:

• Clinical supports carry no participant contribution: Nursing care and allied health are fully covered for eligible participants.
• Standard hours are 6 am to 8 pm on weekdays: After-hours, weekend, and public holiday rates are higher.
• Prices exclude GST: 10% GST applies where relevant.
• No cancellation fee: Applies with more than 48 business hours’ notice.

What You Actually Pay Under Support at Home

The published rates above are the full service cost. What a person contributes depends on pension status, as the government covers a share under the Support at Home program.

From 1 November 2025:

Clinical support, including nursing, is free for everyone. Personal care sits under Independence services. Domestic tasks sit under Everyday living. Your exact contribution is determined through an income and asset assessment, similar to the Age Pension means test. This transparency helps families plan with confidence.

Residential Aged Care Fees Explained

Some families reach a point where residential care is necessary. Understanding how residential fees work can help with comparisons.

1. Basic Daily Fee

– Covers meals, cleaning, laundry, and heating.

– Maximum of $66.80 per day, or $24,382 per year.

– Set at 85% of the single Age Pension and indexed every March and September.

– Payable by all residents, regardless of financial situation.

2. Accommodation Costs

– Covers the room. The price must be published by the provider.

– Payment options:

• Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD): A refundable lump sum, averaging roughly $470,000 to $570,000 nationally, guaranteed by the Australian Government.
• Daily Accommodation Payment (DAP): A daily rental-style fee calculated using the government’s Maximum Permissible Interest Rate on the unpaid amount.
• Combination: Part lump sum and part daily payment.

– For residents under current fee arrangements, providers may retain up to 2% per year of the RAD for a maximum of five years.

3. Means-Tested Contributions

– Payable if income and assets exceed certain thresholds.

Hotelling contribution:

– Lifetime cap applies. Once total contributions reach $137,917.01, or after four years (whichever comes first), the government covers the rest.

4. Extra Service Fees

– Optional extras such as premium meals, pay-TV, or hairdressing.

– Negotiated directly with the provider.

– Cannot be charged for basic care.

– Providers must supply an itemised list of what the fees cover.

Comparing Providers Before You Decide

Once you know which setting is suitable, compare what is available:

– Residential care: Use the My Aged Care service finder to view facilities by location, see published room prices, and compare services.

– In-home care: Ask each provider for their published price list, check staff training and consistency, and look for a provider who takes time to understand the person before quoting. Clear, itemised pricing is important.

Why In-Home Care Often Makes More Sense

For people who do not need round-the-clock clinical supervision, in-home care often suits well.

Reasons families choose to stay home:

• No large accommodation deposit: Unlike a residential RAD.
• You pay for the hours you need: Rather than a full-time facility fee.
• The person remains in familiar surroundings: Which many older adults prefer.
• Care can scale up or down: As needs change, without relocation.

For someone who needs help with personal care, meals, medication, or mobility but is otherwise settled at home, the right in-home care can meet their needs without the disruption of moving into a facility.

Finding Care Close to Home

Location matters, particularly in regional areas where travel times can be longer. Families searching “aged care near me” can use the My Aged Care service finder to compare options by suburb and region.

A local provider is typically more responsive, familiar with the community, and easier to reach if something needs prompt attention. For in-home care across the Riverina, Home at Heart publishes its full Price List openly and delivers care with workers who know the local area.

Getting Started With an Assessment

Government-funded aged care begins with an assessment. Start with a My Aged Care referral by calling 1800 200 422 or applying online.

For the Support at Home program, the assessment is completed through the Single Assessment System, which reviews a person’s care needs and functional capacity. Once your referral is processed, you can connect with a provider to begin services.

It is advisable to seek independent financial advice before making accommodation payment decisions, as payment choices can affect pension and ongoing fees. Services Australia’s Financial Information Service is free on 132 300.

In Summary

Understanding aged care fees helps families compare in-home and residential care options with confidence, from hourly in-home support costs to residential accommodation and daily living fees. With transparent pricing and clear government contribution rules, it becomes easier to plan the right level of care based on needs, preferences, and budget.

Talk to Home at Heart

Home at Heart provides transparent, published-rate in-home care across Wagga Wagga, the Riverina, and Geelong. Each care plan is tailored to the person’s needs and budget, and delivered by consistent care workers who get to know the people they support. Contact the Home at Heart team to learn more about in-home care support.

Call 1300 923 934 or visit homeatheart.com.au.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the basic daily fee that aged care residents pay in 2026?

– The maximum basic daily fee is $66.80 per day, or $24,382 per year. It is set at 85% of the single Age Pension and indexed every March and September. Every residential care resident pays it regardless of income or assets.

Q: How much does in-home care cost with an aged care provider in Wagga Wagga?

– Published hourly rates apply, for example, $110 per hour for personal care and $160 per hour for registered nursing during standard hours. What you contribute depends on your pension status under the Support at Home program, with full pensioners paying the least.

Q: How do I get a My Aged Care referral?

– Call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or apply via the My Aged Care website to request an assessment. Once assessed, you receive a referral that lets you connect with a provider for the services you need.

Can I compare costs through the My Aged Care service finder?

– Yes. The service finder lets you compare providers by location and view published prices. For in-home support services in Wagga Wagga, contact Home at Heart for a clear, itemised quote.

How do I find a good aged care provider near me?

– Speak with local providers, ask for their published price list, and check that staff are trained and consistent. A provider who takes time to understand a person’s needs before recommending a plan is generally a sound choice.

For more information about how Home at Heart can support your care needs, please contact our team.