Aged care — costs
How the means test works, what people typically pay, and where to get free aged care financial advice.
How is the means test worked out?
Services Australia administers the means test. You (or a nominated family member) provide income and asset information. The result determines:
- Means-tested care fee for residential aged care (if your income/assets are above the pension threshold).
- Participant contributions for Support at Home.
What are the thresholds in 2026?
Indicative — these change with indexation. Always confirm at the time:
- Singles: income threshold around $28,000 a year; assets around $206,000 (excluding the family home, with caveats).
- Couples (combined): income around $44,000 a year; assets around $309,000.
Below these thresholds, you pay minimal contributions. Above them, you pay progressively more.
Is the family home counted?
The family home is generally excluded from the means test, with some caveats around equity above a high threshold. This is one of the areas where it really pays to talk to an Aged Care Specialist Officer or a financial adviser, because the rules around the home, life interests, gifting, and protected persons can swing the answer significantly.
Roughly what do people pay?
Massive variation by means. Indicative:
- Full Age Pensioner on Support at Home: $0–$780 a year for participant contributions, plus normal household costs.
- Part-pensioner in residential care with a $160,000 RAD: about $26,000–$37,000 a year on top of the RAD itself.
- Self-funded retiree in residential care: $58,000–$74,000+ a year.
- Self-funded retiree on Support at Home: about $6,200–$13,000 a year.
Where do I get free aged care financial help?
Aged Care Specialist Officers at Services Australia provide free aged care financial information appointments. Book through My Aged Care (1800 200 422). They aren't financial advisers — they don't recommend products — but they explain how the calculations work.
For tailored advice about your situation, you'll need a registered financial adviser.
More questions
General
What Greenbees does, who runs it, what it costs (free).
NDIS — eligibility and access
Who can apply, what evidence works, how long it takes, what to do if you're refused.
NDIS — planning and supports
How planning meetings work, what 'reasonable and necessary' means, the differences between Core, Capacity Building, and Capital.
NDIS — recent changes
What changed in 2024 — Support Lists, plan budgets, Foundational Supports.
Aged care — getting started
When to start, how the Single Assessment System works, what to expect from an assessment.
Aged care — Support at Home
The new program from 1 November 2025 — what it covers, what you pay, the short-term pathways.
Aged care — residential care
When residential is the right answer, RAD vs DAP, your rights, switching providers.
Between NDIS and aged care
Turning 65, being on both, the under-65-in-aged-care trap.
Carers
Three doors of carer support, recognising burnout, getting help today.
Still not sure?
Run the Funding Finder — answer a dozen quick questions and we'll show you which schemes apply and what to do next.