If you’re looking into aged care for yourself or someone close to you, one of your first questions may be: how much will it cost?

There isn’t one price that applies to everyone. The cost of aged care in Australia depends on the support you receive, whether you receive it at home or move into an aged care home, and your financial circumstances. The Australian Government pays for part of eligible care and accommodation and you may be asked to contribute.

Here’s how the main costs work, and where to find out what you might pay.

What does aged care at home cost?

There are two main government-funded programs for ongoing support at home. They work differently, so the first step is to find out which one applies to you.

Commonwealth Home Support Program

Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) offers help with everyday activities such as meals, cleaning and transport. The government subsidises these services, and you’ll usually be asked to make a contribution towards the ones you receive.

There’s no single CHSP fee. What you pay depends on the type and number of services, the organisation providing them and what you can afford. Your contribution should be discussed with you before support starts and included in your service agreement. If paying is difficult, speak with the organisation providing your support; you should not automatically miss out on help because you cannot afford a contribution. Learn how CHSP costs work.

Support at Home

Support at Home provides funding for people assessed as needing more ongoing help. Your approved services might include nursing, help with daily activities, or support around your home.

You’ll be assigned a care budget based on your assessed needs. That budget is funding for your support, not an amount you personally have to pay as an out-of-pocket expense. What you contribute depends on the services you use, their prices and your income and assets. The hourly costs for services do vary between providers. 

Clinical services such as nursing are fully government-funded. You may be asked to contribute towards services that support independence or everyday living, such as meals, transport, cleaning or gardening. Some people who were previously approved for a Home Care Package have different contribution arrangements. Learn more about Support at Home costs and contributions.

Recent changes: From 1 October 2026, approved personal care services under Support at Home will be fully government-funded, with no contribution from the person receiving them. If personal care is part of your support plan, ask how this change will affect your budget and invoices. Learn more about the changes.

What does residential aged care cost?

If you move permanently into an aged care home, your costs can include several separate amounts. Seeing them listed together can be daunting, but you won’t necessarily pay every fee below.

These are the fee categories described by My Aged Care’s aged care home costs guide. The basic daily fee is indexed twice a year, so check that guide for the current amount when you’re making plans.

How do room payments work?

An aged care home’s advertised room price is not your total aged care bill. It relates to the room itself, and what you need to pay will depend in part on your income and assets assessment.

You may be able to pay your share as a lump-sum deposit, a daily accommodation payment, or a combination of both. You may see the lump sum called a Refundable Accommodation Deposit and the daily option called a Daily Accommodation Payment. If you enter residential care under the newer arrangements, the home may retain part of a lump-sum deposit over time, so “refundable” does not necessarily mean you’ll get back every dollar you paid. You can ask a home to show you the cost of each payment option in writing before deciding which feels right for you. You can also get financial advice on how to make your accommodation payments based on your circumstances.

Why might two people pay different amounts?

Even people living in the same aged care home and receiving similar support can have different costs. The amount may depend on their income and assets, the room they choose and which fee rules apply to them.

The rules changed on 1 November 2025. People who were already living in an aged care home before then generally keep their previous fee arrangements unless they choose to move to the new ones. Some people entering care later are also protected by earlier arrangements because of their aged care history. That’s why an older article or another person’s bill may not tell you what your costs will be.

How can you find out what you’ll pay?

You don’t need to calculate everything yourself. These steps will help you get a clearer picture:

1. Find out what support suits you. Start with My Aged Care to learn about an aged care assessment and the services available.
2. Get an estimate. Use the government’s Support at Home fee estimator or aged care home fee estimator, depending on the support you’re considering.
3. Check your assessed costs. For residential care, an income and assets assessment helps determine your contributions and whether you can receive help with room costs. Services Australia will then send you a fee advice letter. Learn how the residential aged care assessment works.
4. Ask for the full costs in writing. Before agreeing to services or a room, ask what you’ll pay, how often you’ll pay it, what’s included and whether anything is optional. Speak to a financial planner. 

If the costs feel out of reach, ask about help. Financial hardship assistance may be available, depending on your circumstances.

You don’t have to navigate it alone

Understanding the costs is one part of finding care that feels right for you. If you’re unsure where to start, Elder Folks can help you navigate assessments and paperwork, explore support at home or in an aged care home, and make choices that reflect what matters to you.

Learn more about our aged care navigation and support services.