Worry about cost stops many people from even asking for help. So let's clear it up.
Government-funded My Aged Care is shared between you and the government. The government pays most of it, and you may contribute towards some services depending on your finances. Importantly, there are firm limits on what you can be asked to pay.
The simple version: three types of service
Support at Home sorts services into three groups, and what you pay depends on the group:
Clinical care
- Examples: Nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, podiatry
- What you pay: Nothing. Fully government funded for everyoneIndependence
Independence
- Examples: Personal care (showering, dressing), mobility, social support, equipment
- What you pay: A moderate contribution
Everyday living
- Examples: Cleaning, laundry, gardening, meal preparation
- What you pay: The highest contribution
The logic is simple: health and nursing care is always free, the things that keep you independent cost you a little, and the convenience-style help around the home costs you the most.
What decides how much I contribute?
Your contribution is worked out by Services Australia, based on an assessment of your income and assets, much like the Age Pension means test. In general:
- Full pensioners contribute the least.
- Part pensioners and Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders contribute a moderate amount.
- Self-funded retirees without that card contribute the most.
As a rough guide, contributions range from about 5% to 50% of the cost for independence services, and about 17.5% to 80% for everyday living services, depending on your means. Your exact rate is set for you by Services Australia.
A quick example: If a cleaning visit (everyday living) costs $60, a full pensioner might contribute around $10.50, while a self-funded retiree might contribute up to $48. The same hour of care, very different cost, depending on your situation.
The protections that limit what you pay
This is the reassuring part. Several safeguards stop costs from running away:
- Clinical care is always free. No matter your income or assets, you never pay for nursing or allied health.
- There's a lifetime cap. There's a cap of around $135,000 (indexed twice a year) on what you can be asked to contribute toward non-clinical care across your lifetime. Once you reach it, you contribute nothing further. Services Australia tracks this and tells you when you get there.
- "No worse off" protections. If you were already in the aged care system, you won't be worse off than before. Full pensioners who paid no fees under the old Home Care Package system don't pay fees under Support at Home, and people who did contribute will pay the same or less.
- Personal care becomes free from 1 October 2026. From that date, the government fully funds personal care (such as help showering and dressing), so it won't cost you anything. Read more here.
- You only pay for what you use. If you cancel a service with enough notice (usually one business day), you're not charged for it.
How do I find out my actual cost?
- Use the fee estimator. The Support at Home fee estimator on the My Aged Care website gives you a personalised estimate.
- Get an income and assets assessment. Services Australia uses this to set your contribution rate. You can arrange it through them.
- Ask providers for their prices. Every provider must publish a full price list on My Aged Care and on their own website, so you can compare. From 1 July 2026, price caps will apply, making this even simpler.
For help, call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422, or get free independent advice from OPAN on 1800 700 600.
What about aged care homes?
This guide covers Support at Home (help in your own home). Fees for moving into a residential aged care home work differently, with things like a basic daily fee, a means-tested care fee and accommodation costs. If that's your situation, call My Aged Care to talk it through.
My Aged Care fees and contributions summary
- Clinical care is free for everyone, always.
- You may contribute a moderate amount for independence services and more for everyday living, based on your income and assets.
- From 1 October 2026 personal care will be fully funded. Read more.
- Full pensioners pay the least, self-funded retirees the most.
- A lifetime cap and "no worse off" rules protect you, and personal care becomes free from October 2026.
- Use the fee estimator and compare provider prices before you commit.
This guide is general information, not financial advice. Contribution rates and caps are set by the government and indexed regularly, so confirm your situation with the My Aged Care website or by calling 1800 200 422, and with Services Australia.
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