Key aged care fees
Sunnyside House strongly recommends that you seek independent financial advice regarding your personal circumstances.
When someone moves into residential aged care, the costs are made up of several parts. What you pay depends on your financial situation and the date you entered care. The arrangements below apply to anyone entering permanent care on or after 1 November 2025 under the new Aged Care Act.
Basic daily care fee
Everyone pays a basic daily fee to contribute to day-to-day living costs — things like meals, cleaning, laundry, and utilities.
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The government sets this rate as of January 2026 it is $65.55 per day.
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This fee is the same for all residents, regardless of income or assets.
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It is indexed twice a year in line with the Age Pension.
Means-tested care fee
If you have income and assets above certain thresholds, you may be asked to contribute to the cost of your care through one or both of the following:
a. Hotelling Contribution – up to $22.15 per day
This covers hotel-style services like meals, cleaning, and general amenities.
It’s assessed based on your financial capacity, so not everyone pays the maximum.
b. Non-Clinical Care Contribution – up to $105.30 per day
This helps cover the cost of personal care, assistance with daily living, and general support services.
This fee is also means-tested, and there are both daily and lifetime caps to protect residents from paying unlimited amounts.
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Lifetime cap: currently around $135,318.69.
The government pays the balance of care costs once your assessed contributions are reached
Accommodation fee
This fee covers your accommodation – the room that you’ll live in at your new Sunnyside House Inc home.
We offer two room sizes designed to meet a range of preferences and needs:
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Standard Room – Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD): $475,000 (Min 26m2 excluding ensuite)
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Premium Room – Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD): $500,000 (Min 29-33m2 excluding ensuite)
Option 1 – Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD): $475,000 or $500,000
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Paid as a lump sum.
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Fully refundable when you leave care (less any agreed deductions).
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Providers may retain up to 2% per year for up to five years (if stated in your agreement).
Option 2 – Daily Accommodation Payment (DAP):
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A non-refundable daily fee calculated from the RAD amount, ideal for those who prefer not to pay upfront
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Calculated
Option 3 - Combination payment
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Part RAD and part DAP, giving you flexibility to structure payments in a way that best suits your circumstances
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Providers may retain up to 2% per year for up to 5 years of any paid RAD amount
How fees are determined
Your exact fees depend on your means assessment, which looks at your income and assets (including part of the value of your home).
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The government pays the majority of clinical care costs.
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If you have lower means, you may receive a subsidy or pay reduced fees.
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Daily and lifetime caps protect you from unlimited contributions.
Schedule of Aged Care Fees and Charges