Financial guide

This fee covers day-to-day living costs such as meals, cleaning, laundry and electricity. All residents are required to pay this fee when moving into Residential Care. It is 85% of the single aged pension and is increased twice a year in March and September by Services Australia. In some cases, this may be the only fee you are required to pay.
 

This covers the cost of your accommodation in Residential Care. Some people will have this covered in full or partially by the Government, while others will be required to pay the agreed amount in the key feature statement issued by BaptistCare.

If you are required to pay an Accommodation Payment, there are 4 different ways you can contribute:

1. Lump-sum ‘Refundable Accommodation Deposit’ (RAD): This is a lump-sum payment which will be refunded when you leave the centre (less the RAD retention calculated and any fees owing).
2. Daily Accommodation Payment (DAP): This is like a rental-style daily payment. The DAP is calculated by the interest on the unpaid RAD amount. Just like rent, there will be no refund when you leave the facility. When you enter care you will be asked to pay the DAP amount until you decide which option to pay the Accommodation Payment.
3. Combination of both a Lump-sum ‘Refundable Accommodation Deposit’ (RAD) and Daily Accommodation Payment (DAP): This accommodation option allows you to pay a partial lump-sum amount, which will reduce the Daily Accommodation Payment.
4. Combination of Lump Sum Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD), variable Daily Accommodation Payment (DAP), with the DAP drawn down from the agreed lump sum. This option allows you to have your DAP deducted from your lump sum, reducing the amount available for refund when you leave.

All residents have up to 28 days after the date of entry to decide how they would like to pay their Accommodation Payment. During this 28-day decision period, the DAP is payable.

The Higher Everyday Living Fee (HELF) is an optional fee for individuals wishing to receive a higher level of services in permanent or respite residential aged care.

At BaptistCare, we strive to provide an environment where residents receive a high standard of respectful, reliable and empowering care, with lifestyle choices and services designed to benefit everyone. Most of our homes offer higher everyday living services through our EverydayPlus program.

EverydayPlus packages are curated for each residential aged care, providing you with more choice and better value, designed to make your time with us even more enjoyable. Services are also available for individual purchase based on your personal preferences, enabling you to have additional choices across meals, entertainment and lifestyle activities, no matter your needs.

Residents may be required to pay towards their care through a Non-Clinical Care Contribution (NCCC). This amount is calculated by Services Australia, which has an annual and lifetime cap and is done through the government’s income and asset assessment process.

This fee will be applied from the date of entry, and you will be advised of the amount by Services Australia. Services Australia also conducts quarterly reviews and may adjust your Non-Clinical Care Contribution if your circumstances have changed during the last quarter.

The Hotelling Supplement helps cover everyday living costs such as meals, cleaning, laundry and utilities. It is means-tested, with residents above certain thresholds contributing partly or fully. The fee is indexed annually on 20 September, based on advice from the Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority (IHACPA).

If you are receiving a means-tested payment from Centrelink or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and do not own your home or retirement living unit, Services Australia will automatically complete an assessment for you when you enter Residential Care, provided they have your up-to-date financial information. If they do not, you will need to complete the Calculation of Cost of Care form (SA457).

If you receive a means-tested payment from Centrelink or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and you own your home (including retirement living unit), you will need to complete the Residential Aged Care Property for Centrelink and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs customers’ form (SA485). This form can be accessed on the Services Australia website.

If you do not wish to provide your income and asset details, or you are not receiving a means-tested payment, you will be required to pay the maximum Hotelling Supplement Contribution and maximum Non-Clinical Care Contribution until you reach either the daily caps (and where applicable, the lifetime cap on non-clinical care contributions).

All fees and charges are direct debited from your nominated bank account fortnightly in advance. A completed Direct Debit Request form is required before admission. Refundable Accommodation Deposits (RAD) may be paid by electronic funds transfer. For any payment or billing queries, please contact the Accounts Receivable Team in your state.

If you believe you are in a position of financial hardship, you can apply for Financial Hardship Assistance. Information on Financial Hardship can be found by contacting the Services Australia Aged Care Hotline on 132 300.