Aged care accommodation has become a little more flexible for people who move into a care home before their finances have been assessed. On 4 November 2026, the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing announced it had updated the rules on how residents still waiting for a means assessment can pay for their accommodation.
Until now, these residents had just one option: a daily accommodation payment. That is no longer the case.
A means assessment works out how much you will contribute towards your care and whether you qualify for financial hardship assistance, so it can take a little time to complete. You no longer have to wait for that outcome before choosing how to pay for your room.
Your aged care accommodation payment options
Residents waiting on a means assessment can now pay by:
- a refundable accommodation deposit (RAD), which is an upfront lump sum
- a daily accommodation payment (DAP)
- a combination of the two
Providers can accept any of these options, so it’s worth talking to your chosen care home early about which arrangement suits you and your family.
The cap on charges
Whichever option you choose, the amount charged cannot exceed the agreed accommodation payment amount. Choosing a deposit, a daily payment or a mix of both doesn’t let your provider charge more than the price you’ve already agreed.
Related: Higher Everyday Living Fee: providers barred from charging for previously free services
General information only, not legal or financial advice. Please check the official source, or speak to your provider or a financial adviser, before making a decision.
Source: Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. Licence: CC BY 4.0.
