The expensive new problem facing aged care residents

March 17, 2026 — 4:08pm

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Australia’s aged care system has never been simple, but the November reforms around accommodation payments are creating an expensive new problem for residents entering care.

The government’s My Aged Care website says, “you can choose to pay a lump sum any time after you enter care”. In reality, many residents are discovering that this choice has effectively disappeared.

Behind the scenes, the department is advising aged care providers not to accept Refundable Accommodation Deposits (RADs) until a resident’s means assessment outcome has been formally notified.

The concern appears to be the administrative complexity created by the new accommodation payment rules – particularly........

© The Sydney Morning Herald