When you enter residential care, you may be asked to pay fees under one of two arrangements:
- 1 July 2014 fee arrangements
- 1 November 2025 fee arrangements
At Leigh Place, we understand these costs and processes can be confusing, so we’ve put together a simple guide to make things as easy as possible for you.
DAILY BASIC CARE FEE
The Daily Basic Care Fee is maintained at 85% of the pension. In September 2025, this was $65.55 per day.
- Nursing and personal care
- Recreational activities
- Personal laundry
- Meals and refreshments
- Weekly cleaning of accommodation
- Supply and laundering of linen at least once a week
HOTELLING CONTRIBUTION
People who can afford to will contribute more towards their daily living costs through a hotelling contribution.
Services Australia will tell you if you need to pay a hotelling contribution and if so, how much you need to pay. This is based on your means assessment. The maximum amount changes twice yearly with indexation in March and September.
MEANS TESTED CARE FEE
This is determined through the Services Australia (previously called Centrelink) income and assessment process, and differs for each individual resident.
HIGHER EVERYDAY LIVING FEE
This is an optional fee for people who choose to receive higher quality everyday living services. It can be charged for services that are of a higher quality or in addition to those your aged care home must provide.
The specific services, and the fees for each, are agreed between you and your provider after you enter care. You can’t be asked to pay for a service you are unable to use. After agreeing in writing, you have 28 days to change your mind and cancel your higher everyday living agreement. The agreement is reviewed by you and your provider at least once a year.
ACCOMMODATION PAYMENTS
You may need to allow for an accommodation payment if your total assets are above an amount set by the Commonwealth Government. Following legislation changes in November 2025, Non-concessional residents set by the Commonwealth Government have the choice of paying for accommodation via:
• a refundable accommodation deposit (RAD)
• a daily accommodation payment (DAP)
• or a combination of these.
Under the new Aged Care Act 2024, Leigh Place will retain 2% per annum of the Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD) for up to five years, capped at a maximum of 10%. For residents choosing a Daily Accommodation Payment (DAP), the DAP will now be indexed to inflation (CPI) twice yearly.
The current rates for accommodation are shown in the table below.*
| Single Room | Private, Two Bedrooms (for couples or singles) |
Dementia Support |
|---|---|---|
| Room size 23m² |
Room size 30m² |
Room size 13m² |
| Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD) $650,000 |
Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD) $750,000 |
Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD) $600,000 |
| Daily Accommodation Payment (DAP) $135.52 |
Daily Accommodation Payment (DAP) $156.37 |
Daily Accommodation Payment (DAP) $125.10 |
| Example of combination 50% RAD and 50% DAP $325,000 (RAD) $67.76 (DAP) |
Example of combination 50% RAD and 50% DAP $375,000 (RAD) $78.18 (DAP) |
Example of combination 50% RAD and 50% DAP $325,000 (RAD) $62.55 (DAP) |
HOUSE 7 LOTUS PRICING
| Ground Floor | First Floor | Second Floor |
|---|---|---|
| Room size 27m² to 32m² |
Room size 28m² to 30m² |
Room size 29m² to 32m² |
| Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD) $750,000 |
Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD) $800,000 |
Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD) $850,000 |
| Daily Accommodation Payment (DAP) $156.37 |
Daily Accommodation Payment (DAP) $166.79 |
Daily Accommodation Payment (DAP) $177.22 |
| Example of combination 50% RAD and 50% DAP $375,000 (RAD) $78.18 (DAP) |
Example of combination 50% RAD and 50% DAP $400,000 (RAD) $83.40 (DAP) |
Example of combination 50% RAD and 50% DAP $425,000 (RAD) $88.61 (DAP) |
*Please note: This is an example of accommodation pricing at Leigh Place Aged Care, from November 2025.
These prices are updated on a regular basis.
For further information, contact Services Australia:
https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/older-australians?from=theme-bar
Phone: 132 300