Resources

myagedcare resources

https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-10/steps-to-enter-an-aged-care-home.pdf ↗

https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-10/your-pathway-to-accessing-a-home-care-package_1.pdf ↗

Costs & Fees

https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/understanding-costs ↗

Income & Asset Assessment

https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/income-and-means-assessments ↗

Costs Estimator

https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/how-much-will-i-pay ↗

New Aged Care Act

https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/aged-care-act/resources/older-people ↗

Residents can choose to pay the full RAD, full Daily Accommodation Payment (DAP), or a combination of a part RAD and part DAP, which is an ongoing, non-refundable rental-style payment.

MPIR Maximum Permissable Interest Rate

Current MPIR 01/07/2025 to 30/09/2025 = % *

Daily Accomodation Payment (DAP)

DAP = (RAD x MPIR) / 365

Combination Option

If a resident chooses to pay a part RAD, you must calculate their reduced DAP as follows:

Reduced DAP = (agreed full RAD − RAD paid) × MPIR / 365

* For latest MPIR, refer to: https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/base-interest-rate-bir-and-maximum-permissible-interest-rate-mpir-for-residential-aged-care ↗

For more information, refer to: https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/residential-aged-care/charging/accommodation-payments-contributions ↗

Almost 2,500 elderly patients across the country are currently stuck in public hospitals, waiting for a federal government aged care bed, according to new figures compiled by the states and territories, which suggest the practice is costing taxpayers $1 billion a year.

From the ABC: https://www.msn.com/en-au/health/other/government-urged-to-do-more-to-address-2500-hospital-patients-waiting-for-aged-care-beds/ar-AA1MniGn?ocid=BingNewsVerp ↗

From Ageing Australia: https://ageingaustralia.asn.au/media-releases/ageing-australia-welcomes-passage-of-amendment-bills-calls-for-final-rules/ ↗

Recently, I spoke with an Aged Care Assessor in Perth’s northern suburbs about an issue that is leaving many families stuck in limbo.

One of my clients had been waiting months for an Aged Care Assessment (ACA – previously known as ACAT) so he could move into Residential Care. Despite his Home Care Package (HCP) Coordinator’s persistence—chasing My Aged Care, following up with the provider, and even lodging a complaint—nothing moved forward. The provider simply said they were short-staffed and couldn’t give a timeframe. Meanwhile, my client and his wife were left waiting and struggling.

When their GP referred them to me, I looked into the situation and contacted the Social Worker who had done the client’s previous ACA. She shed light on the problem:

• Until recently, Perth’s North Metro ACAT (based at Osborne Park) managed all referrals, triaging and prioritising urgent needs.
• Now, the system is split: three external providers each handle about 20%, while WA Health ACA North Metro Health Service (NMHS) (the old Osborne Park team) manages around 40%.
• The challenge? Some of the new providers simply don’t have enough staff. Instead of releasing referrals, they hold onto them—leaving families waiting far longer than necessary.

Here’s the important part: families can request a transfer. A Next of Kin or HCP Coordinator can call the provider holding the referral and ask for it to be released to WA Health ACA NMHS. This team currently has shorter wait lists, actively triage's cases, and can respond much faster.

In my client’s case, once his referral was transferred on a Friday, the assessment was completed the following Tuesday.

Takeaway: If you or your loved one are waiting on an ACA for extra home support or Residential Care approval, don't just wait. Check who is holding the referral—and request a transfer to WA Health ACA NMHS if possible. It could save you weeks, or even months, of unnecessary delay.