ACQSC + My Aged Care · Wollongong

Best Aged Care in Wollongong, 2026

There's no single "best" or "number one" aged-care home in Wollongong — the right one depends entirely on the person: their care needs, where family can visit, the budget, and whether they need dementia, respite or palliative care. So rather than pretend one home wins for everyone, we rank the 14 Wollongong homes we cover by their official ACQSC star rating (the government's quality regime) and show what actually changes the decision: the rating breakdown, ownership type (faith-based or community not-for-profit vs ASX-listed Regis / Estia operators), the basic daily fee + Refundable Accommodation Deposit where published, and dementia, respite, palliative and cultural / LGBTI options. Start free with My Aged Care on 1800 200 422, and always verify a home's current rating at myagedcare.gov.au. Coverage spans Wollongong, Figtree, Corrimal, Fairy Meadow, Keiraville and Thirroul.

14 providers ranked No paid placements ACQSC ratings published

The Health Desk · Editorial team, aged care + dental + plastic surgery + dermatology + weight-loss + psychology · Updated 11 June 2026 · How we rank · Editorial standards

Which is the best aged care in Wollongong?

Our top-ranked aged care in Wollongong for 2026 is IRT Woonona — IRT Woonona (Woonona, Wollongong) is a community-owned not-for-profit aged-care provider. Runners-up: Marco Polo Woonona Care Services and Marco Polo Aged Care Facility. All 14 providers in this guide serve Wollongong and are ranked on verifiable credentials and information transparency, not paid placement.

Based on 14 providers profiled in Wollongong, all cross-referenced against the relevant Australian regulator. Independent ranking, no paid placements, no first-party reviews.

★Key takeaways

✓14 aged-care providers profiled across Wollongong.
✓0 of 14 have ACQSC ratings of 4 or 5 stars; the national average is around 3 stars.
✓13 are not-for-profit (faith-based or community-owned); the rest are for-profit operators.
✓6 offer dedicated dementia-specific care; 8 are palliative-care capable.
✓Published basic daily fees range $66.8–$66.8/day; the means-tested care fee, RAD/DAP and additional services sit on top. Always request a fee letter before signing.

14 Verified Aged Care in Wollongong, Ranked

IRT Woonona

Not-for-profit (community) Woonona

IRT Woonona (Woonona, Wollongong) is a community-owned not-for-profit aged-care provider. 201 approved beds.

ACQSC rating

Not yet rated

Beds

201

Basic daily fee

$66.8/day

RAD from

Not published

Services: Residential aged care, Dementia-specific, Respite.

Best for: Carers needing short-stay respite for a family member

201-bed community-based not-for-profit residential aged-care home in Wollongong, operated by Illawarra Retirement Trust.

Provider website →

Note: AIHW Aged Care Service List 30 June 2025 (gen-agedcaredata.gov.au). ACQSC star rating, published RAD price, founding year and per-facility ACQSC rating unverified for this entry pending MyAgedCare cross-check.

Marco Polo Woonona Care Services

Not-for-profit (community) Woonona

Marco Polo Woonona Care Services runs a community-owned not-for-profit aged-care provider from Woonona. 168 approved beds.

ACQSC rating

Not yet rated

Beds

168

Basic daily fee

$66.8/day

RAD from

Not published

Services: Residential aged care, Dementia-specific, Respite.

Best for: Carers needing short-stay respite for a family member

168-bed community-based not-for-profit residential aged-care home in Wollongong, operated by Illawarra Retirement Trust.

Provider website →

Marco Polo Aged Care Facility

Not-for-profit (community) Unanderra

Marco Polo Aged Care Facility operates as a community-owned not-for-profit aged-care provider in Unanderra, Wollongong. 167 approved beds.

ACQSC rating

Not yet rated

Beds

167

Basic daily fee

$66.8/day

RAD from

Not published

Services: Residential aged care, Dementia-specific, Respite.

Best for: Carers needing short-stay respite for a family member

167-bed community-based not-for-profit residential aged-care home in Wollongong, operated by Illawarra Retirement Trust.

Provider website →

IRT William Beach Gardens

Not-for-profit (community) Dementia-specific Palliative care Kanahooka

IRT William Beach Gardens, in Kanahooka, is a community-owned not-for-profit aged-care provider. 160 approved beds. Dementia-specific care available.

ACQSC rating

Not yet rated

Beds

160

Basic daily fee

$66.80/day

RAD from

Not published

Services: Residential aged care, Dementia-specific, Palliative, Respite.

Specialty programs: Dementia.

Best for: Families needing secure dementia-specific care

Community not-for-profit residential aged-care home in Kanahooka, Wollongong. Specialist programs: Dementia.

Note: Sourced from the My Aged Care / ACQSC register (https://www.irt.org.au/aged-care-centres/location/william-beach-gardens-at-irt-kanahooka/). ACQSC star ratings and RAD prices change quarterly — verify on myagedcare.gov.au before applying.

Warrigal Wollongong

Not-for-profit (community) Palliative care Wollongong

Warrigal Wollongong (Wollongong, Wollongong) is a community-owned not-for-profit aged-care provider. 155 approved beds. Palliative-care capable.

ACQSC rating

Not yet rated

Beds

155

Basic daily fee

$66.8/day

RAD from

Not published

Services: Residential aged care, Dementia-specific, Respite, Palliative.

Best for: Residents needing palliative or end-of-life care

155-bed charitable not-for-profit residential aged-care home in Wollongong, operated by Warrigal Care Limited.

Provider website →

Warrigal Mount Terry

Not-for-profit (community) Palliative care Albion Park

Warrigal Mount Terry runs a community-owned not-for-profit aged-care provider from Albion Park. 151 approved beds. Palliative-care capable.

ACQSC rating

Not yet rated

Beds

151

Basic daily fee

$66.8/day

RAD from

Not published

Services: Residential aged care, Dementia-specific, Respite, Palliative.

Best for: Residents needing palliative or end-of-life care

151-bed charitable not-for-profit residential aged-care home in Wollongong, operated by Warrigal Care Limited.

Provider website →

Warrigal Care Albion Park Rail

Not-for-profit (community) Palliative care Albion Park Rail

Warrigal Care Albion Park Rail operates as a community-owned not-for-profit aged-care provider in Albion Park Rail, Wollongong. 149 approved beds. Palliative-care capable.

ACQSC rating

Not yet rated

Beds

149

Basic daily fee

$66.8/day

RAD from

Not published

Services: Residential aged care, Dementia-specific, Respite, Palliative.

Best for: Residents needing palliative or end-of-life care

149-bed charitable not-for-profit residential aged-care home in Wollongong, operated by Warrigal Care Limited.

Provider website →

Uniting Farmborough Unanderra

Not-for-profit (faith-based) Dementia-specific Unanderra

Uniting Farmborough Unanderra, in Unanderra, is a faith-based not-for-profit aged-care provider. 125 approved beds. Dementia-specific care available.

ACQSC rating

Not yet rated

Beds

125

Basic daily fee

$66.80/day

RAD from

$636k

Services: Residential aged care, Dementia-specific, Respite.

Specialty programs: Dementia.

Best for: Families needing secure dementia-specific care

Faith-based not-for-profit residential aged-care home in Unanderra, Wollongong. Specialist programs: Dementia.

Note: Sourced from the My Aged Care / ACQSC register (https://www.uniting.org/services/aged-care-services/facility/uniting-farmborough-unanderra). ACQSC star ratings and RAD prices change quarterly — verify on myagedcare.gov.au before applying.

IRT Tarrawanna

Not-for-profit (community) Dementia-specific Palliative care Tarrawanna

IRT Tarrawanna (Tarrawanna, Wollongong) is a community-owned not-for-profit aged-care provider. 100 approved beds. Dementia-specific care available.

ACQSC rating

Not yet rated

Beds

100

Basic daily fee

$66.80/day

RAD from

Not published

Services: Residential aged care, Dementia-specific, Palliative.

Specialty programs: Dementia.

Best for: Families needing secure dementia-specific care

Community not-for-profit residential aged-care home in Tarrawanna, Wollongong. Specialist programs: Dementia.

Note: Sourced from the My Aged Care / ACQSC register (https://www.irt.org.au/aged-care-centres/location/irt-tarrawanna/). ACQSC star ratings and RAD prices change quarterly — verify on myagedcare.gov.au before applying.

Catholic Healthcare Villa Maria Centre

Not-for-profit (faith-based) Dementia-specific Palliative care Unanderra

Catholic Healthcare Villa Maria Centre runs a faith-based not-for-profit aged-care provider from Unanderra. 96 approved beds. Dementia-specific care available.

ACQSC rating

Not yet rated

Beds

Basic daily fee

$66.80/day

RAD from

Not published

Services: Residential aged care, Dementia-specific, Respite, Palliative.

Specialty programs: Dementia.

Best for: Families needing secure dementia-specific care

Faith-based not-for-profit residential aged-care home in Unanderra, Wollongong. Specialist programs: Dementia.

(02) 4255 5800

Note: Sourced from the My Aged Care / ACQSC register (https://www.catholichealthcare.com.au/residence/villa-maria-centre-unanderra). ACQSC star ratings and RAD prices change quarterly — verify on myagedcare.gov.au before applying.

HammondCare Horsley

Not-for-profit (faith-based) Dementia-specific Palliative care Horsley

HammondCare Horsley operates as a faith-based not-for-profit aged-care provider in Horsley, Wollongong. 90 approved beds. Dementia-specific care available.

ACQSC rating

Not yet rated

Beds

Basic daily fee

$66.80/day

RAD from

Not published

Services: Residential aged care, Dementia-specific, Palliative, Respite.

Specialty programs: Dementia, Younger onset dementia.

Best for: Families needing secure dementia-specific care

Faith-based not-for-profit residential aged-care home in Horsley, Wollongong. Specialist programs: Dementia, Younger onset dementia.

1800 998 111

Note: Sourced from the My Aged Care / ACQSC register (https://www.hammond.com.au/location/hammondcare-horsley). ACQSC star ratings and RAD prices change quarterly — verify on myagedcare.gov.au before applying.

Estia Health Figtree

Private (for-profit) Figtree

Estia Health Figtree, in Figtree, is a privately-held for-profit operator.

ACQSC rating

Not yet rated

Beds

Not stated

Basic daily fee

$66.80/day

RAD from

$387k

Services: Residential aged care, Respite.

Best for: Carers needing short-stay respite for a family member

Private residential aged-care home in Figtree, Wollongong.

Verify on My Aged Care ↗

Note: Sourced from the My Aged Care / ACQSC register (https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/find-a-provider/search/92zw9sz-estia-investments-pty-ltd/aged-care-homes/estia-health-figtree-g30ll3tkm). ACQSC star ratings and RAD prices change quarterly — verify on myagedcare.gov.au before applying.

IRT Five Islands

Not-for-profit (community) Dementia-specific Palliative care Port Kembla

IRT Five Islands (Port Kembla, Wollongong) is a community-owned not-for-profit aged-care provider. Dementia-specific care available.

ACQSC rating

Not yet rated

Beds

Not stated

Basic daily fee

$66.80/day

RAD from

Not published

Services: Residential aged care, Dementia-specific, Palliative.

Specialty programs: Dementia.

Best for: Families needing secure dementia-specific care

Community not-for-profit residential aged-care home in Port Kembla, Wollongong. Specialist programs: Dementia.

Note: Sourced from the My Aged Care / ACQSC register (https://www.irt.org.au/aged-care-centres/find-a-location/nsw/wollongong-illawarra/). ACQSC star ratings and RAD prices change quarterly — verify on myagedcare.gov.au before applying.

Marco Polo Woonona Aged Care Centre

Not-for-profit (community) Woonona

Marco Polo Woonona Aged Care Centre runs a community-owned not-for-profit aged-care provider from Woonona.

ACQSC rating

Not yet rated

Beds

Not stated

Basic daily fee

$66.80/day

RAD from

Not published

Services: Residential aged care, Dementia-specific, Respite.

Specialty programs: CALD, Italian community.

Best for: Families wanting a CALD-aware provider with bilingual staff

Community not-for-profit residential aged-care home in Woonona, Wollongong. Specialist programs: CALD, Italian community.

Note: Sourced from the My Aged Care / ACQSC register (https://www.irt.org.au/aged-care-centres/location/marco-polo-woonona-aged-care-centre/). ACQSC star ratings and RAD prices change quarterly — verify on myagedcare.gov.au before applying.

Aged Care in Wollongong, side by side · Click any header to sort
Provider ⇅	Suburb ⇅	Ownership ⇅	ACQSC ⇅	Beds ⇅	Daily fee from ⇅
IRT Woonona	Woonona	NFP (community)	Not yet rated	201	$66.8
Marco Polo Woonona Care Services	Woonona	NFP (community)	Not yet rated	168	$66.8
Marco Polo Aged Care Facility	Unanderra	NFP (community)	Not yet rated	167	$66.8
IRT William Beach Gardens	Kanahooka	NFP (community)	Not yet rated	160	On enquiry
Warrigal Wollongong	Wollongong	NFP (community)	Not yet rated	155	$66.8
Warrigal Mount Terry	Albion Park	NFP (community)	Not yet rated	151	$66.8
Warrigal Care Albion Park Rail	Albion Park Rail	NFP (community)	Not yet rated	149	$66.8
Uniting Farmborough Unanderra	Unanderra	NFP (faith)	Not yet rated	125	On enquiry
IRT Tarrawanna	Tarrawanna	NFP (community)	Not yet rated	100	On enquiry
Catholic Healthcare Villa Maria Centre	Unanderra	NFP (faith)	Not yet rated	96	On enquiry
HammondCare Horsley	Horsley	NFP (faith)	Not yet rated	90	On enquiry
Estia Health Figtree	Figtree	Private	Not yet rated	-	On enquiry
IRT Five Islands	Port Kembla	NFP (community)	Not yet rated	-	On enquiry
Marco Polo Woonona Aged Care Centre	Woonona	NFP (community)	Not yet rated	-	On enquiry

Pricing and availability data checked against public sources at time of publication. We do not host first-party reviews; star ratings have been removed from this directory pending a moderated review-collection process.

Aged-care RAD prices in Wollongong, by band

Upper · $550k–750k

1 home — e.g. Uniting Farmborough Unanderra

Lower-cost · under $400k

1 home — e.g. Estia Health Figtree

Work out your own fees with the means-test calculator →

Wollongong aged care by type of care

Dementia & memory care in Wollongong

Respite care in Wollongong

Palliative care in Wollongong

Wollongong aged care: not-for-profit vs private

Not-for-profit aged care in Wollongong

Private & listed operators in Wollongong

Aged-care homes in Wollongong, by suburb

Suburb	Homes	ACQSC
Woonona	IRT Woonona, Marco Polo Woonona Care Services, Marco Polo Woonona Aged Care Centre	—
Unanderra	Marco Polo Aged Care Facility, Uniting Farmborough Unanderra, Catholic Healthcare Villa Maria Centre	—
Kanahooka	IRT William Beach Gardens	—
Wollongong	Warrigal Wollongong	—
Albion Park	Warrigal Mount Terry	—
Albion Park Rail	Warrigal Care Albion Park Rail	—
Tarrawanna	IRT Tarrawanna	—
Horsley	HammondCare Horsley	—

How we rank aged care in Wollongong

We rank aged-care providers on objective, publicly verifiable signals — never on star reviews, which we do not collect. The strongest signal is the ACQSC star rating (the Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission's regime, weighted compliance 40%, residents' experience 33%, staffing 15%, quality measures 12%), followed by bed capacity and stability, ownership type, fee transparency (published basic daily fee and RAD), and dementia / palliative care availability. Verify any provider's current rating at myagedcare.gov.au. Best Aged Care Australia does not accept payment to feature or rank providers.

Get a free shortlist of aged-care homes that fit

Choosing a home for a parent is hard, and the system is genuinely confusing. Tell us what's needed and we'll hand-pick a shortlist of Wollongong aged-care homes that genuinely fit — by location, care level and budget — and connect you with a placement specialist if you want one. Free, and we'll never sell your details or pester you.

Common questions

FAQs: aged care in Wollongong

Where can I find genuine reviews of Wollongong aged-care homes?

Australia does not have a trusted consumer star-review system for aged care, and we do not publish first-party star ratings. The closest authoritative quality signal is the ACQSC star rating on myagedcare.gov.au, which includes a Residents' Experience component drawn from face-to-face interviews with residents (weighted 33% of the overall star rating). Read the full quality-indicator and resident-experience breakdown for each home on My Aged Care, and visit in person twice before deciding — ratings are a quarterly snapshot, not a substitute for a tour.

How much does aged care cost in Wollongong in 2026?

Every resident pays the federally-regulated basic daily fee of $66.80/day (March 2026), plus a means-tested care fee based on income and assets, plus accommodation: either a lump-sum Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD) or an equivalent Daily Accommodation Payment (DAP) at the Maximum Permissible Interest Rate. RADs in Wollongong commonly range from $400,000 to $900,000+. Always request a written fee letter and check the home's published RAD on myagedcare.gov.au before signing.

How do I choose between aged-care homes in Wollongong?

Tour each home at least twice (once at meal time, once mid-afternoon), check the latest ACQSC accreditation report and star rating, and ask about 24/7 registered-nurse coverage and care minutes per resident per day (the federal target is 215 minutes, including 44 minutes of RN time). Talk to current residents' families — they're the most honest reference. A free placement consultant can also identify current vacancies and negotiate the RAD.

How much is the RAD for aged care in Wollongong?

Among the Wollongong aged-care homes we list with a published price, Refundable Accommodation Deposits (RADs) centre around $636,000, typically ranging from under $400,000 to $750,000+. The RAD is fully refundable when the resident leaves or passes away. You can instead pay an equivalent Daily Accommodation Payment (DAP) at the Maximum Permissible Interest Rate, or split the two. Always confirm the current RAD on myagedcare.gov.au and request a written accommodation agreement before signing — RADs are often negotiable.

Which Wollongong aged-care homes offer dementia care?

Wollongong homes we cover with dementia or secure memory support include IRT Woonona, Marco Polo Woonona Care Services, Marco Polo Aged Care Facility, IRT William Beach Gardens. Secure dementia units are locked, dementia-specific wings with higher staffing and design that prevents wandering; eligibility runs through an ACAT assessment via My Aged Care (1800 200 422). Costs mirror standard residential care. Dementia-specific beds can have longer waits, so it's worth enquiring early.

How do I get an ACAT assessment for my parent?

Call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422. The assessment is free and conducted by a qualified team (usually a nurse or social worker) at your parent's home. It takes 1-2 hours and determines what level of care they're eligible for — Home Care Package levels, residential aged care, respite, or transition care. You'll receive a referral code by post within 2-4 weeks. Without an ACAT code, you cannot access subsidised aged care services.

How much does aged care cost in Australia in 2026?

Residential aged care costs include a Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD) of $400k-$1.2M (returned when you leave), the Basic Daily Care Fee of $61.96/day (paid by everyone), a means-tested care fee of 0-$32,718/year based on income and assets, and optional extra services fees. Total annual cost ranges from $30,000 (low-means residents) to $90,000+ (premium homes). In-home care via Home Care Packages is much cheaper: $7,500-$61,000/year depending on level.

What is the difference between low-care and high-care?

These categories were abolished in 2014. Aged care homes now offer a mix of care levels and adjust as residents' needs change. Your level of subsidy is determined by the Aged Care Funding Instrument (ACFI) assessment done after admission. This means you don't need to move homes if your mum's needs increase — the same home will provide more support and the government subsidy will increase accordingly.

How long does it take to get into an aged care home?

In metropolitan Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth, most homes have vacancies and placement can occur within 1-4 weeks of an ACAT assessment being completed. Premium homes in inner suburbs may have 3-12 month waitlists. Regional homes are typically faster (1-2 weeks). Specialist dementia care units are slower (4-12 weeks) due to limited bed numbers. If urgent placement is needed, a placement service can identify homes with same-week vacancies.

Will Centrelink fund aged care?

The government heavily subsidises aged care through the Aged Care Subsidy. The amount depends on a means assessment of your parent's income and assets. Low-means residents pay only the Basic Daily Care Fee ($61.96/day) and have their accommodation costs covered. Higher-means residents pay more, including a means-tested care fee up to $32,718/year and full accommodation costs (RAD or daily payment). Services Australia conducts the means assessment — submit forms SA457 (income) and SA485 (assets).

Other aged care city rankings

Independent aged care rankings, by Australian city.

Best aged care in Melbourne

VIC

Best aged care in Sydney

NSW

Best aged care in Brisbane

QLD

Best aged care in Perth

Best aged care in Adelaide

Best aged care in Hobart

TAS

Best aged care in Canberra

ACT

Best aged care in Darwin

Best aged care in Gold Coast

QLD

Best aged care in Newcastle

NSW

Best aged care in Geelong

VIC

All city rankings → · Guides → · How we rank →

Best Aged Care in Wollongong, 2026

Which is the best aged care in Wollongong?

★Key takeaways

14 Verified Aged Care in Wollongong, Ranked

Aged-care RAD prices in Wollongong, by band

Wollongong aged care by type of care

Wollongong aged care: not-for-profit vs private

Aged-care homes in Wollongong, by suburb

How we rank aged care in Wollongong

Get a free shortlist of aged-care homes that fit

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FAQs: aged care in Wollongong

Other aged care city rankings