FAQs

Aged Care Frequently Asked Questions

 

If you have a question not listed below or you want further help, please reach out to claudia@agedcsv.com.au or call our office and the team will be more than happy to help you.

Click to call: 0419 319 386

You will need to be assessed. This is done through the government, usually through myagedcare.gov.au

Before you do this though, we strongly suggest you have receive financial advice to ensure you receive the maximum you are entitled to. This is where we can help.

Depending on the forms you are looking for, you can start by looking here. Our friendly team are always happy to help our clients and can provide which ever form you require, just contact the team in our office. 

The assessment team assess the needs of older people. It then makes recommendations for government funded care and support, including home care, aged care home and short term care options. If you apply for any of these services, you will require a face to face assessment with a professional. You can check if you are eligible for an assessment here: (myagedcare.gov.au)

This can vary widely, some people based on their circumstances will not be out of pocket for care, and for other homes, particularly ones closed to Melbourne, you can be looking at around one million dollars. This is why it is imperative to receive advice so you can fully understand the options when it comes to your care options.

Regardless of your financial situation, everyone is entitled to a place in aged care.

If you are our client, we will check this for you and ensure you are receiving the maximum entitlements. For more information on veterans payments, you can click here: dva.gov.au

If you use a professional service for this, then their fees will apply. We can refer you to reputable providers for this service if needed. Fees will differ from home to home, so best to chat to the facilities you are interested in to gauge their fees.

We have written an article about this, you will find it here.

It is a short term accommodation, usually within an aged care facility to help carers have some time off or for a potential resident to trial aged care.

This very much depends on your eligibility for funding. If you are approved for respite care, the government will subsidise your costs, however you are expected to contribute if you can afford to. You can read more here. (health.gov.au)

Not usually, however sometimes it can take longer to find a place.

If you want to apply for STRC, an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) must assess you. You can access an ACAT assessment by contacting My Aged Care. You can read more here. (health.gov.au)

We offer a full financial planning service, which we can discuss further with you. Get in touch to find out more.

Once you have made your appointment, we will send you a checklist specific to your circumstance.

 Our services are fixed price, so please call our office to get a price for your requirements. An initial consultation is $600 (April 2026).

Depending on the service you are looking for. Initial consultations are usually around an hour.

Health insurance works the same in aged care as it would if you were in your own home. Health insurance doesn't cover any aged care costs, however many people still choose to continue with their insurance to enable private care in a private hospital if it is needed.
In the above situation, you are considered a home owner due to the price of your RV Unit. You should be able to apply for the Home Equity Access Scheme.
In the above situation, you are spending above the Extra Allowable amount so you would be considered a home owner and are not eligible for rent assistance.
As at Oct 2025, when someone pays over $242,000 for a retirement village unit they are considered homeowners.
Your brother may still be considered a protected person, however as your mother has been in aged care for 2 years, she is now considered a non-home owner. Her home now becomes an asset. As her home is now an asset, she is no longer receiving a pension.
The Extra Allowable Amount in 2014 was $142,500. If you paid more than $142,500 that for your unit (which it looks like you did) then you are considered a home owner so not eligible for rent assistance.
Centrelink is neither a friend nor a foe. They will ask you questions about the situation and apply the rules that would respond to the situation. This is done using Centrelink forms SA457 or SA485. They won’t get you to forward plan. The staff you speak to will not necessarily give you strategies to get the best outcomes for yourself. This is why people engage with Aged Care specific financial planners as we know the rules and try and maximise Centrelink benefits and minimise aged care fees.
Your question is common and shows part of the stress of going into aged care. The house is not assessable by Centrelink for 2 years, once assessable they may lose pensions if they are receiving them. It may also pay for them, to go in on separate days, the facility will be able to explain the options here and maybe the outcomes. We would recommend getting more through financial advice that includes both cashflow and all the outcomes.

The Base Interest Rate (BIR) in the context of aged care applies from the day after the resident’s permanent departure. Until the lump sum balance is refunded, the Aged Care Facility must pay interest at the BIR, which is applicable from the day after the resident’s departure.

The BIR is used when the resident stops receiving care, setting the interest rate for outstanding amounts owed by the facility.