Aged Care Facts and Figures
Aged Care Facts & Figures
Residential care - entry from 1 July 2014
Basic daily care fee
| Resident | Basic Daily Fee (per day) | Annual Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Permanent | $61.96 | $22,615.40 |
| Respite | $61.96 | $22,615.40 |
Means-tested care fee (MTF)
MTF Formula
| [(Income amount + Asset amount) / 364] – $65.49 |
Income amount is calculated as:
| (Annual assessable income* – Income threshold) x 50% |
*Centrelink/DVA payments (less minimum pension supplement, energy supplement and any adjustments) plus private income assessed using Centrelink/DVA income test rules (rent on former home may be included if entered care from 1 Jan 2016).
| Single | Couple (each) | |
|---|---|---|
| Income threshold | $31,140.20 pa | $30,568.20 pa |
| Deduct if applicable | Single or illness- separated (pa) | Couple (each) |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum pension supplement | $1,097.20 | $826.80 |
| Energy supplement | $366.60 | $275.60 |
Asset amount is calculated as:
| Assessable assets* | Percentage assessable | Asset cumulative calculation |
|---|---|---|
| First $57,000 | 0% | Nil |
| $55,000 to $193,219.20 | 17.5% | Nil + 17.5% for each $1 over $57,000 |
| $193,219.20 to $465,657.60 | 1% | $23,838.36 + 1% for each $1 over $193,219.20 |
| Over $465,657.60 | 2% | $26,562.74 + 2% for each $1 over $465,657.60 |
*Assessable assets include capped value of home (unless protected person still lives there) plus amounts paid as RAD / bonds.
Capped home asset value is $193,219.20
(Capped value is per person if member of a couple and not exempt)
Minimum MTF
| Daily Cap | ACFI cost of care (up to $264.81) |
|---|---|
| Annual Cap (anniversary year) | $31,706.83 |
| Lifetime Cap | $76,096.50* |
*Includes income-tested home care fees on post 1 July 2014 packages.
MTF reduces to nil for rest of year once annual cap reached, or permanently once lifetime cap reached. No MTF for ex-prisoners of war/Victoria Cross holders
Accommodation Payments
Low-means resident
Classified as low-means resident if Means-tested amount (MTA) < $65.49 at date of entry into care service. Requires assessable assets below $193,219.20 (and subject to income).
| MTA = (Income amount + Asset amount) / 364 |
Low-means residents may pay a daily accommodation contribution (DAC). Can convert to lump sum (RAC) using MPIR.
DAC = MTA*
*Capped at accommodation supplement payable to residential service:
| Service Provider | Less than 40% of residents low-means | 40% or more of residents low-means |
|---|---|---|
| New or significantly refurbished | $49.12 per day | $65.49 per day |
| Standard service | $32.03 per day | $42.70 per day |
Interest (MPIR) on unpaid RAD
Rate fixed at date of entry to care service and applies to any unpaid RAD.
| Residents entering care service | Rate pa |
|---|---|
| 1 April 2023 - 30 June 2023 | 7.46% |
| 1 January 2023 - 31 March 2023 | 7.06% |
| 1 October 2022 - 31 December 2022 | 6.31% |
| 1 July 2022 - 30 September 2022 | 5.00% |
Hardship Threshold
| 1.5 times pension rate = $41,496 |
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Residential care - entry before 1 July 2014
Basic daily care fee
| Resident | Basic daily fee (per day) | Annual amount |
|---|---|---|
| Permanent | $58.98 | $21,527.70 |
| Respite | $58.98 | $21,527.70 |
Residents who entered care before 20 September 2009 may pay daily care fees under one of the following categories:
| Protected resident $53.77 | Entered care before 20 September 2009 and part-pensioners with private income above relevant threshold or self-funded |
| Non-standard resident $66.96 | Entered care before 20 March 2008 and paid large bonds or did not disclose financial information to Centrelink. |
Income-tested care fee (ITF)
ITF up to $93.68 per day.
An ITF is payable if assessable income exceeds thresholds:
| Resident | Single | Couple (each) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | $1,197.70 pf | $1,175.70 pf |
| Protected | $1,006.10 pf | $984.10 pf |
| Non-standard | $1,197.70 pf | $1,175.70 pf |
Formula to calculate income-tested fee (pre-1 July 2014 residents):
| (Fortnightly assessable income – Fortnightly income threshold) x (5/12) / 14 |
Interest (MPIR) on unpaid bond (if transfer to new facility)
| Residents entering care service | Rate |
|---|---|
| 1 April 2023 - 30 June 2023 | 7.46% |
Home care
Basic daily fee
| Home care package level | Basic daily fee | Annual amount | Max daily gov subsidy amount | Total annual budget* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| L 1 - Basic | $10.88 | $3,971.20 | $25.15 | $13,150.95 |
| L 2 - Low | $11.50 | $4,197.50 | $44.24 | $20,345.10 |
| L 3 - Intermediate | $11.83 | $4,317.95 | $96.27 | $39,456.50 |
| L4 - High | $12.14 | $4,431.10 | $145.94 | $57,699.20 |
*Includes government subsidy and client contribution.
Income-tested fee
| Assessable income | Maximum ITF |
|---|---|
| Less than income free threshold | Nil |
| Above income free threshold but less than upper income threshold | (Assessable income – Income free threshold) x 50% but capped at: $17.42 per day, or Annual cap $6,341.32 |
| Above upper income threshold | $6,341.32 + (Assessable income – Upper income threshold) x 50% but capped at: $34.84 per day, or Annual cap $12,682.70 |
Income thresholds for home care ITF
| Income free threshold: | Upper income threshold: | |
|---|---|---|
| Single | $31,140.20 pa | $60,268.00 pa |
| Couple (illness-separated) | $30,568.20 pa | $59,696.00 pa |
| Couple (living together) | $24,117.60 pa | $46,072.00 pa |
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Centrelink Facts & Figures
Pensions
Pension assets test
Homeowner
| Family situation | For full pension* | For part pension^ |
|---|---|---|
| Single | Up to $280,000 | Up to $634,750 |
| Couple (combined) | Up to $419,000 | Up to $954,000 |
| Illness separated couple (combined) | Up to $419,000 | Up to $1,128,500 |
Non-homeowner
| Family situation | For full pension* | For part pension^ |
|---|---|---|
| Single | Up to $504,500 | Up to $859,250 |
| Couple (combined) | Up to $643,500 | Up to $1,178,500 |
| Illness separated couple (combined) | Up to $643,500 | Up to $1,353,000 |
* Pension reduces by $3.00 pf for every $1,000 above threshold (combined if couple)
^ Limits may be higher if Rent Assistance is payable
Pension income test
| Family situation | For full pension (pf)* | For part pension (pf)^ |
|---|---|---|
| Single | Up to $190.00 | Up to $2,318.00 |
| Couple (combined) | Up to $336.00 | Up to $3,544.00 |
| Illness separated couple (combined) | Up to $336.00 | Up to $4,592.00 |
* Pension reduces 50 cents (single) and 25 cents (couple each) for every dollar over these thresholds
^ Limits may be higher if Rent Assistance is payable
Pension payment rates
Pensions – age, disability and carer
| Family situation | Rate (pf)* | Rate (pa)* |
|---|---|---|
| Single^ | $1,064.00 | $27,664.00 |
| Couple (each) | $802.00 | $20,852.00 |
* Rates include pension supplement and energy supplement
^ Illness-separated couples are paid at the single rate of pension each
Pension supplement components
| Single / Illness- separated | Couple (each) | |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum pension supplement | $78.40 pf | $59.10 pf |
| Minimum pension supplement | $42.20 pf | $31.80 pf |
| Basic pension supplement | $27.20 pf | $22.40 pf |
| Energy supplement | $14.10 pf | $10.60 pf |
NOTE: Pension does not reduce below minimum pension supplement amount unless means testing reduces payments to zero
Pension age
| Age pension age | Affects people born | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 July 2015 – 30 June 2017 | 65 | Before 1 July 1952 |
| 1 July 2017 | 65.5 | 1 July 1952 to 31 December 1953 |
| 1 July 2019 | 66 | 1 January 1954 to 30 June 1955 |
| 1 July 2021 | 66.5 | 1 July 1955 to 31 December 1956 |
| 1 July 2023 | 67 | From 1 January 1957 |
Note: DVA service pension age is 60 for men and women
Allowances
Allowance assets test
| Family situation | Homeowner* | Non- homeowner* |
|---|---|---|
| Single | Up to $280,000 | Up to $504,500 |
| Couple (combined) | Up to $419,000 | Up to $643,500 |
| Illness separated couple (combined) | Up to $419,000 | Up to $643,500 |
* No payment if assessable assets exceed thresholds
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Allowance income test
Jobseeker allowance
| Family situation | For full allowance (pf)* | For part allowance (pf)^ |
|---|---|---|
| Single, no children | Up to $150 | Up to $1,337.50 |
| Single with dependent child(ren) | Up to $150 | Up to $1,425.50 |
| Single, principal carer with dependent child(ren)# | Up to $150 | Up to $2,053.25 |
| Single, over age 60 after 9 months | Up to $150 | Up to $1,436.50 |
| Partnered (each) | Up to $150 | Up to $1,232.84 |
* Fortnightly income above $150 reduces allowance by 50 cents in the dollar. Income between $150 and $256 reduces allowance by 60 cents in the dollar. Partner’s fortnightly income above $1,196 reduces the allowance by 60 cents in the dollar
^ Limits may be higher if Pharmaceutical Allowance or Rent Assistance is payable
# Payment is reduced by 40 cents for each dollar of income earned above $150 pf for single principal carers
Allowance payment rates
Jobseeker, partner, & widow allowances
| Family situation | Rate (pf)* | Energy supplement |
|---|---|---|
| Single, no children | $693.10 | $8.80 |
| Single, dependent child(ren) | $745.20 | $9.50 |
| Single, 60 + after 9 months | $745.20 | $9.50 |
| Partnered (each) | $631.20 | $7.90 |
* Includes basic pension supplement for under age pension age recipient
Pharmaceutical allowance
| Family situation | Rate (pf) |
|---|---|
| Single | $6.40 |
| Couple (each) | $3.30 |
NOTE: May be paid to some allowance recipients
Deeming rates & thresholds
| Family situation | Value of financial investments | Deeming rate |
|---|---|---|
| Single | Up to $56,400 Above $56,400 | 0.25% 2.25% |
| Pensioner couple | Up to $93,600 Above $93,600 | 0.25% 2.25% |
| Non- pensioner couple (each) | Up to $46,800 Above $46,800 | 0.25% 2.25% |
| Family situation | Financial assets limit | |
|---|---|---|
| Full pension under income test^ | Full allowance under income test^ | |
| Single | Up to $269,689 | $223,467 |
| Couple (combined) | Up to $471,467 | $256,533 |
^ Assumes only financial assets and no other income. Payments may however, be reduced under assets test.
Other benefits
Rent assistance - for allowances & pensions
| Family situation | Maximum payment (pf) | No payment if rent is less than: | For maximum payment rent must exceed: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single, no children | $157.20 | $140.40 | $350.00 |
| Single, no children, sharer | $104.80 | $140.40 | $280.14 |
| Couple, no children | $148.00 | $227.40 | $424.74 |
| Illness separated | $157.20 | $140.40 | $350.00 |
| Couple, temporarily separated, no children | $148.00 | $140.40 | $337.74 |
Work bonus
| Amount | |
|---|---|
| Exempt work income (if over pension age) | $300 pf |
| Maximum accumulation in work bonus bank | $11,800* |
*resetting to $7,800 on 1 January 2024
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Carer’s allowance
| Subject to a family income test of $250,000 | $144.80 pf |
Funeral bond
| Exempt funeral bond investment threshold | $14,000 |
Retirement village / Granny flat right
| Homeowner if entry contribution paid is at least (from 1 July 2022): | $224,500 |
Special disability trust
| Amounts | |
|---|---|
| Exempt asset threshold | $724,750 |
| Gifting exemption limit | $500,000* |
| Discretionary spending limit (per year) | $13,000 |
* Not indexed
Health care cards
Pensioner concession card
Automatically issued to:
All Centrelink pensioners and DVA service pensioners, and war widows who receive an income support supplement
JobSeeker Payment, Youth Allowance (job seeker, if single, caring for a dependent child), Parenting Payment (single), Bereavement Allowance
May be issued if aged over 60 and for more than 9 months have received: Widow Allowance, Parenting Payment (partnered), Partner Allowance, Sickness Allowance and Special Benefit
Pensioners who lost their pension entitlement on 1 January 2017 because of the measure to rebalance the assets test had their PCC reinstated from 9 October 2017. The PCC was automatically reissued with an ongoing income and assets test exemption. Other eligibility requirements, such as portability conditions, also need to be met.
Commonwealth seniors health card
Issued to self-funded retirees over age pension age who meet income test:
| Family situation | Annual income* |
|---|---|
| Single | $90,000 |
| Couple (combined) | $144,000 |
| Illness separated couple (combined) | $180,000 |
* Add $639.60 per year for each dependent child
Assessable income includes:
- Taxable income
Fringe benefits
Foreign income
Net investment loss and reportable superannuation contributions
Deemed income from account-based pensions.
Low income health care card
| Family situation | Weekly income (to retain) | Average weekly income* (to qualify) |
|---|---|---|
| Single | $877.50 | $702.00 |
| Couple combined, no children | $1,505.00 | $1,204.00 |
| Single with one dependent child | $1,505.00 | $1,204.00 |
| For each additional child | $42.50 | $34.00 |
* The income test applies to average weekly earnings in the eight weeks immediately before applying for the card. Income is determined using social security rules. No assets test applies
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DVA Facts & Figures
Service pension
Assets test
Homeowner
| Family situation | For full pension* | For part pension^ |
|---|---|---|
| Single | Up to $280,000 | Up to $634,750 |
| Couple (combined) | Up to $419,000 | Up to $954,000 |
| Illness separated couple (combined) | Up to $419,000 | Up to $1,128,500 |
Non-homeowner
| Family situation | For full pension* | For part pension^ |
|---|---|---|
| Single | Up to $504,500 | Up to $859,250 |
| Couple (combined) | Up to $643,500 | Up to $1,178,500 |
| Illness separated couple (combined) | Up to $643,500 | Up to $1,353,000 |
* Pension reduces by $3.00 pf for every $1,000 above threshold (combined if couple)
^ Limits may be higher if Rent Assistance is payable
Income test
| Family situation | For full pension (pf)* | For part pension (pf)^ |
|---|---|---|
| Single | Up to $190.00 | Up to $2,318.00 |
| Couple (combined) | Up to $336.00 | Up to $3,544.20 |
| Illness separated couple (combined) | Up to $336.00 | Up to $4,592.00 |
* Pension reduces 50 cents (single) and 25 cents (couple each) for every dollar over these thresholds
^ The figures may be higher if Rent Assistance is payable
Service pension payment rates
| Family situation | Rate (pf)* | Rate (pa)* |
|---|---|---|
| Single^ | $1,064.00 | $27,664.00 |
| Couple (each) | $802.00 | $20,852.00 |
* Rates include pension supplement and energy supplement
^ Illness-separated couples are paid at the single rate of pension each
Service pension age
60 for men and women
War widow(er)s pension
Assets test (for income support supplement)
Homeowner
| Family situation | For full ISS* | For part ISS |
|---|---|---|
| Single | Up to $523,000 | Up to $630,000 |
| Couple (combined) | Up to $733,000 | Up to $947,000 |
| Illness-separated couple (combined) | Up to $905,000 | Up to $1,119,000 |
Non-homeowner
| Family situation | For full ISS* | For part ISS |
|---|---|---|
| Single | Up to $747,500 | Up to $854,500 |
| Couple (combined) | Up to $957,500 | Up to $1,171,500 |
| Illness-separated couple (combined) | Up to $1,129,500 | Up to $1,343,500 |
* Pension reduces by $3.00 pf for every $1,000 above threshold (combined couple)
NOTE: This assets test only applies to ISS. Disability pensions and war widow(er) pensions are not means-tested
Income test (for income support supplement)
| Family situation | For full ISS | For part ISS |
|---|---|---|
| Single | Up to $1,647.60 | Up to $2,289.80 |
| Couple (combined) | Up to $2,217.20 | Up to $3,501.60 |
| Illness separated couple (combined) | Up to $3,251.20 | Up to $4,535.60 |
NOTE: Income includes war widow pension
War widow(er)s payment rates
| Rate (pf) | |
|---|---|
| Income support supplement ceiling rate^ | $321.10 |
| War widow(er)s pension* | $1,082.50 |
^ ISS is paid to war widow(er)s who meet means testing. Includes pension supplement.
* Paid to eligible widow(er)s of veterans. It is not means-tested. Rate includes energy supplement of $14.20 pf and GST supplement of $34.70 pf
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Disability compensation payments
| Disability pension | Rate (pf)* | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Special rate (TPI, blind or TTI) | $1,676.20 | ||
| Intermediate rate | $1,111.30 | ||
| Extreme disablement adjustment (EDA) | $904.60 | ||
| General rate* | |||
| 100% | $581.90 | 50% | $294.80 |
| 95% | $553.19 | 45% | $266.09 |
| 90% | $524.48 | 40% | $237.39 |
| 85% | $495.77 | 35% | $208.67 |
| 80% | $467.06 | 30% | $179.96 |
| 75% | $438.35 | 25% | $151.25 |
| 70% | $409.64 | 20% | $122.54 |
| 65% | $380.93 | 15% | $93.83 |
| 60% | $352.22 | 10% | $65.12 |
| 55% | $323.51 | ||
* Rates include energy supplement at various rates.
DVA Supplement Rates
Pension and energy supplements included in service pension.
| Single / Illness- separated | Couple (each) | |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum pension supplement | $78.40 pf | $59.10 pf |
| Minimum pension supplement | $42.20 pf | $31.80 pf |
| Basic pension supplement | $27.20 pf | $22.40 pf |
| Energy supplement | $14.10 pf | $10.60 pf |
NOTE: Pension does not reduce below minimum pension supplement amount unless means testing reduces payments to zero
GST supplement
| Rate (pf) | |
|---|---|
| War widow(er) pension | $36.00 |
Gold Card
Assets cut-off (for service pensioners)
Homeowner
| Family situation | Cut-off limit: |
|---|---|
| Single | $329,500 |
| Couple (combined) | $504,000 |
Non-homeowner
| Family situation | Cut-off limit: |
|---|---|
| Single | $554,000 |
| Couple (combined) | $728,500 |
Income cut-off (for service pensioners)
| Family situation | Cut-off limit (pf): |
|---|---|
| Single | $485.50 |
| Couple (combined) | $844.40 |
Special disability trust
| Threshold | Asset value |
|---|---|
| Exempt asset threshold | $724,750 |
| Gifting exemption limit | $500,000* |
| Discretionary spending limit (per year) | $13,000 |
* The gifting threshold is not indexed.
Funerals
| Exempt funeral bond investment threshold | $14,000 |
| Funeral benefit (one off) | Up to $2,000 |
Retirement village/Granny flat right
| Homeowner if entry contribution paid is at least (from 1 July 2022): | $224,500 |
Deeming
| Family situation | Value of financial investments | Deeming rate |
|---|---|---|
| Single | Up to $56,400 Above $56,400 | 0.25% 2.25% |
| Pensioner couple | Up to $93,600 Above $93,600 | 0.25% 2.25% |
| Non-pensioner couple (each) | Up to $46,800 Above $46,800 | 0.25% 2.25% |
| Family situation | Financial asset limit under deeming for full means-tested pension^: |
|---|---|
| Single | Up to $269,689 |
| Couple (combined) | Up to $471,467 |
^ Assumes only financial assets and no other income. Payments may however, be reduced under the assets test.
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