Current Fee Schedule
What is the income tested care fee?
The income tested care fee is an extra contribution that some people pay for their Home Care Package, determined through an income assessment. This fee varies from person to person and depends on your individual income, including your pension.
Services Australia calculates this fee, and it reduces the subsidy the government provides for your Home Care Package. If you are assessed and required to pay the income tested care fee, Feros Care collects the fee.
Who does not pay an income tested fee?
- If you and your partner receive only the Age Pension and have no other income sources, you won’t be assessed for an income tested fee. You can request the ‘Fee Advice Letter’ by calling the Services Australia Aged Care line on 1800 227 475 or DVA on 1800 838 372.
- If your income and assets haven’t been updated in the last two years or have changed since your last update, call the Services Australia Aged Care line on 1800 227 475 or DVA on 1800 838 372.
Who may be required to pay an income tested fee?
- If you have a partner, their income is considered in the income tested fee calculation.
- The value of the home you live in is not included in the income test calculation. You can estimate your fee using the fee estimator on My Aged Care.
- When using the fee estimator, include income sources like government payments (e.g. age pension or service pension), rental property income, war widow/widower pensions, income from businesses, superannuation income streams, overseas pension income, family trust distributions, and dividends from private company shares.
- You don’t need to include interest from your bank accounts or financial investments because it is automatically calculated using the government’s deeming rate.
Do I need to complete an income assessment form?
If you are not receiving any Centrelink or DVA payments or you receive a Centrelink or DVA non-means tested payment, you must complete Form SA 456 – the Home Care Package calculation of your cost of care. Services Australia needs this information to assess your income and financial assets accurately.
What if I choose not to disclose my income details?
If you decide not to provide your income details, you will pay the maximum Home Care Package fees until you reach the annual or lifetime cap. This means you’ll be required to pay both the basic daily fee and the maximum income-tested care fee.
Who can I contact for further assistance?
If you need further assistance, you can contact the following organisations:
- FIS (Financial Information Service): 13 23 00
- Age Care Service Line: 1800 227 475
- ACSO (Aged Care Service Officers): 1800 227 475
- Financial Advocates (ADA Australia): 1800 700 600
