Who should apply

You’ll need to apply for an aged care calculation of your cost of care if we don’t have your financial details. If you don’t apply, your provider can ask you to pay the maximum costs until you reach the annual or lifetime caps.

We’ll have your financial details if you get a relevant income support payment. We may need more information, which depends on if you’re thinking about either:

• a Home Care Package
• an aged care home.

If you get a relevant income support payment

We may have your financial details if you get a relevant income support payment from us or the Department of Veteran’s Affairs (DVA).

Check if you’re getting a relevant income support payment before starting your application.

If you’re thinking about a Home Care Package

You need to apply for an aged care calculation of your cost of care if you’re not getting a relevant income support payment from us or the DVA.

You don’t need to apply if you’re getting a relevant income support payment from us or DVA. You’ll need to make sure your financial details are up to date before your aged care services start.

Your aged care provider will tell us when your aged care services start. When this happens, we’ll use your financial details to work out how much you’ll pay towards your aged care costs. We’ll send you a letter with this information.

If you’re already receiving services, you can still update your details and we’ll review your aged care costs.

If you’re looking into aged care services and they’ve asked you for a fee advice letter, call the Centrelink - Aged Care line.

If you’re thinking about an aged care home

You need to apply for an aged care calculation of your cost of care if you’re not getting a relevant income support payment from us or the DVA.

You may not need to apply if you get a relevant income support payment from us or the DVA. It depends on if you own your home.

When you own your home

If you own the home you live in and you’re thinking about moving into aged care, you need to tell us about your home. If you’re already in aged care and you still own or owned your previous home on the date you moved, you need to tell us about that home.

You can tell us about your home by applying for an aged care calculation of your cost of care.

When you don’t own your home

If you don’t own the home you live in and you get a relevant income support payment from us or DVA, you don’t need to apply. You’ll need to make sure your financial details are up to date before you move into aged care.

Your aged care provider will tell us when you move into aged care. When this happens, we’ll use your financial details to work out how much you’ll pay towards your aged care costs. We’ll send you a letter with this information.

If you’re already in aged care, you can still update your details and we’ll review your aged care costs.

If you’re looking into aged care services and they’ve asked you for a fee advice letter, call the Aged Care line.