When the government pays for the room
If your parent's means are modest, the government pays some or all of the room. Here is where the line is and what it means for which home you can choose.
By the AgedCareClear editorial team. Published 8 November 2026; last checked against the law on 8 November 2026 (what it relies on). Rates from the government schedule of 20 September 2026.
Where the line is
The test is the daily means tested amount Services Australia works out from income and assets:
- Nil: the government pays all of the room. As a rough guide for a single person, that is income near the pension and assets under $66,500.
- Above nil but under $73.73 a day: the government pays part, and your parent pays the rest as an accommodation contribution. With income near the pension, that is assets up to about $219,858.
- $73.73 a day or more: your parent pays the room price agreed with the home.
What to do
- Ask Services Australia for an aged care calculation of your cost of care before you choose; it tells you which group your parent is in.
- Tell each home on your shortlist the result, and ask whether it has a room available on those terms.
- Our calculator shows whether the government would pay part of the room once you add rough income and assets.