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Australian Aged Care Means-Test Calculator (2026)

Estimate the basic daily fee, means-tested care fee, and Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD) or Daily Accommodation Payment (DAP) for residential aged care in Australia. Built from the official Health.gov.au schedule of fees and charges as at 20 March 2026. This is an indicative estimate — final fee assessment is via a Centrelink Income & Assets Assessment (form SA457).

The 1 November 2025 reform — which regime applies to you?

Entered care on or before 31 Oct 2025 (grandfathered): you pay the basic daily fee + the Means-Tested Care Fee this calculator models (capped at $35,910/yr, $86,185 lifetime). You are "no worse off".
Entered on or after 1 Nov 2025 (new entrant): the Means-Tested Care Fee is replaced by a Hotelling Supplement Contribution (up to $22.15/day, no cap) plus a Non-Clinical Care Contribution (up to $107.32/day), the latter capped at $137,917 or 4 years, whichever comes first. The basic daily fee and RAD/DAP accommodation rules below are the same for both.

Next step

The official means-test is run by Services Australia using your Income and Assets Assessment (SA457) form. Submit it before agreeing to a place — the assessment determines what subsidy you receive and how the RAD/DAP is calculated. Form SA457 (Services Australia)

Now find a home

Browse our directory of 459 listed providers across Australia, sorted by ACQSC star rating — or get a hand-picked shortlist below.

Browse aged-care directory →

See a number that worries you? Talk to a placement specialist — free

These fees are complex, and a specialist can often find homes that fit your real budget (and negotiate the RAD). They're paid by the home, not by you, so it's free for families. Tell us the situation and we'll connect you. No obligation, no spam.

We're an independent guide — not a home or a sales agency — and your details just help us match you and a placement specialist to homes that fit. We'll never sell your data or pressure you. Privacy Policy.

Methodology + data sources

Basic daily fee: $66.8/day (regulated, set at 85% of the single age pension; updated quarterly). Means-tested care fee: combines an income-tested amount (50% of income above the income-free area) and an asset-tested amount tiered at 17.5%, 1% and 2% of assets above the asset-free area. Annual cap: $35,910. Lifetime cap: $86,185. DAP equivalent of RAD: RAD × MPIR (currently 7.96%) ÷ 365. All thresholds as at 20 March 2026; published by Health.gov.au and indexed quarterly.

Important: this is an estimate. The official assessment uses additional inputs (deeming rates on financial investments, gifts, granny-flat arrangements). Always submit form SA457 before signing anything. For complex situations (couple where both enter care, business assets, overseas property), consult a financial adviser specialising in aged-care advice.

If you're a publication or blog citing this calculator, please link to https://bestagedcareaustralia.com.au/calculator/ and credit Best Aged Care Australia. Underlying methodology is sourced from publicly available Health.gov.au schedules and reproduced with attribution.