Choosing an aged care home is one of the biggest decisions a family will ever make. It often happens quickly, after a fall, a hospital stay, or a moment where you realise home alone is no longer safe. Sometimes it happens slowly, after months of researching, worrying, and hoping things will somehow stay the same.

Either way, the process can feel overwhelming. There are hundreds of homes across Australia, varying costs, different quality levels, and a lot of paperwork standing between you and clarity.

This guide walks you through every step, from your first Google search to move-in day, in plain language without the jargon.

Key Takeaways

  • You need an ACAT assessment before accessing a subsidised aged care home
  • Check Star Ratings on the My Aged Care website before shortlisting homes
  • Tour at least three homes in person before making a decision
  • Costs include a Basic Daily Fee, a Means-Tested Care Fee and an Accommodation Payment
  • You can join multiple waiting lists at the same time

 

Step 1: Understand what residential aged care actually is

Residential aged care is government-regulated, permanent (or short-term respite) care delivered in a facility, rather than at home. It suits older persons who need more support than can be provided safely through home care services, whether due to complex health needs, mobility challenges, dementia, or the need for round-the-clock clinical oversight.

In Australia, aged care homes are funded and regulated by the federal government. To access a subsidised place, your loved one will need a formal assessment first.

Step 2: Get an ACAT assessment

Before you can access a government-subsidised aged care home, your loved one needs an assessment through the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT), sometimes called ACAS in Victoria.

How to get one:
 Contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or visit myagedcare.gov.au. A referral can also come from a GP or hospital discharge planner.

An ACAT assessor will visit in person (or via telehealth in some circumstances) to understand health needs, daily functioning, and what level of care is appropriate. If residential aged care is the right fit, they will approve the assessment and give you a support plan.

This step is free and usually takes one to two weeks, though hospital referrals can be faster.

Step 3: Work out what matters most to your family

Before you start shortlisting homes, get clear on your priorities. Every family is different, and knowing what you are actually looking for will save you time and energy.

Ask yourselves:

  • Location: Does proximity to family matter most, or is quality of care the priority even if it means travelling further?

  • Culture and values: Is a faith-based provider important? Are there cultural, linguistic or dietary preferences to consider?

  • Dementia support: Does your loved one need a memory support area now, or might they in the future?

  • Lifestyle and activities: What does your loved one enjoy? Are they social, creative, physical, spiritual?

  • Size of home: Some people thrive in a larger, busier community. Others settle better in a smaller, quieter environment.

Write these down. They become your filter when you are comparing homes later.

Step 4: Search for homes using My Aged Care

The My Aged Care website (myagedcare.gov.au) has a “Find a provider” tool that lets you search for aged care homes by location, availability, and services offered.

You can also search directly on Google for “aged care homes near me” or “aged care homes in [suburb or city]” to find provider websites and read about specific homes.

When browsing, look at:

  • Star Ratings: Check each home’s overall Star Rating and the four sub-categories (Residents’ Experience, Compliance, Staffing, Quality Measures). These are publicly available on the My Aged Care website.

  • Vacancies: Some homes have waiting lists. Ask about current availability and what happens while you wait.

  • Services offered: Check whether the home provides the specific support your loved one needs, including dementia care, palliative care, allied health, or specific cultural services.

Step 5: Check Star Ratings properly

Australia’s Star Rating system gives each residential aged care home an overall score from one to five stars. Five stars means excellent care. One star means significant improvement is needed.

The overall rating is made up of four components:

  • Residents’ Experience (33%): Based on surveys of residents and families about how they feel about their care, dignity and daily life

  • Compliance (30%): Whether the home meets the Aged Care Quality Standards, assessed by independent auditors

  • Staffing (22%): How many minutes of registered nurse, enrolled nurse and care worker time each resident receives per day

  • Quality Measures (15%): Clinical outcomes including pressure injuries, falls, unplanned weight loss and medication management

A good Star Rating is a strong starting point. But do not stop there. A home that scored four stars last year can be different this year if management or staffing has changed.

Step 6: Shortlist three to five homes and book tours

Once you have narrowed down your list using Star Ratings, location and services, shortlist three to five homes and contact them to arrange tours. Most homes are happy to show families around, and visiting in person tells you far more than any website.

When you tour, look for:

  • How staff greet and speak to residents (warmth, patience, use of names)

  • Whether residents look engaged and comfortable, or bored and parked

  • Cleanliness and smell, especially in bathrooms and hallways

  • Whether the dining room feels welcoming at mealtimes

  • How quickly call bells are answered

  • Whether residents have access to outdoor spaces and natural light

Questions to ask on the tour:

  • What does a typical day look like for residents?

  • How do you personalise care for each person?

  • What is staffing like on evenings, nights and weekends?

  • Is there always a registered nurse on site?

  • How are families kept informed and involved?

  • What is included in the fees, and what costs extra?

  • What is the process for raising a concern or complaint?

Take notes after each visit, or give each home a quick score for warmth, clinical confidence, food and communication. Tours blur together fast.

Step 7: Understand the costs

Aged care home costs in Australia have three main components:

Basic Daily Fee
 Everyone pays this. It is set at 85% of the single age pension, which is approximately $63) per day as of 2026. It covers meals, cleaning, laundry and general services.

Means-Tested Care Fee
 This is an additional contribution to the cost of care, based on your income and assets. Not everyone pays it. A financial assessment through Services Australia will determine whether it applies and how much.

Accommodation Payment
 This covers the cost of your room and is either:

  • A Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD): a lump sum paid upfront, fully refunded when you leave

  • A Daily Accommodation Payment (DAP): a daily rental-style fee instead of the lump sum

  • A combination of both

The accommodation price varies between homes and rooms and must be published on the My Aged Care website. If a person cannot afford the accommodation payment, the government will cover it.

Before making any financial decisions, it is worth speaking to a financial adviser who specialises in aged care. They can help you understand what applies to your situation and how to structure payments.

Step 8: Check availability and get on a waiting list

If your preferred home does not have a vacancy, ask to be placed on a waiting list. You can be on multiple waiting lists at the same time, which most families do not realise.

While you wait, consider:

  • Respite care: A short-term stay in an aged care home (up to 63 days per year, government subsidised) while waiting for a permanent place

  • Continuing Support at Home: Keeping home care services running in the interim

  • Hospital support: If the move is urgent and hospital-initiated, a social worker or discharge planner can help expedite access

Step 9: Make your decision and accept a place

Once a vacancy comes up at your preferred home, you will receive an offer. You do not have to accept immediately, but most homes will give you a short window (often 24 to 48 hours) to decide.

Before you accept, confirm:

  • The room type and price

  • The move-in date

  • What paperwork is needed

  • Who your main contact will be in the first week

Once you accept, you will sign a Resident Agreement, which outlines all fees, services, your rights and the home’s responsibilities. Read it carefully, and do not hesitate to ask for clarification on anything unclear.

Step 10: Prepare for move-in day

The first week is a settling-in period, not a test. Expect some emotional ups and downs, from both your loved one and yourself.

Practical things to organise before move-in:

  • Label all clothing and personal items

  • Bring familiar items from home: photos, a favourite blanket, toiletries, a mug

  • Confirm medication list, GP details and emergency contacts with the home

  • Ask about visiting routines during the first week

Emotionally:
 It is completely normal to feel relief, grief, guilt and love all at once. Most families report that once their loved one has settled, their own anxiety eases too.

What to do if care quality concerns arise after move-in

If you notice something that worries you after move-in, raise it promptly with the home’s manager or care team. Good homes welcome feedback and respond quickly.

If concerns are not resolved, you can contact the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission on 1800 951 822 or lodge a complaint at agedcarequality.gov.au. You can also contact the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) for free, confidential support.

Quick summary: How to choose an aged care home in Australia

  1. Get an ACAT assessment through My Aged Care

  2. Decide what matters most to your family

  3. Search and compare homes using Star Ratings

  4. Tour your shortlisted homes in person

  5. Understand the costs and get a financial assessment

  6. Join waiting lists at more than one home

  7. Accept an offer, sign the Resident Agreement and prepare for move-in

 

FAQ’s

How long does an ACAT assessment take?
Most ACAT assessments are completed within one to two weeks of referral. Hospital-initiated referrals can be faster, sometimes within 24 to 48 hours.

Can I be on multiple aged care home waiting lists at the same time?
Yes. You can join waiting lists at as many homes as you like. Most families shortlist two or three preferred homes and register interest at all of them.

What is the difference between a RAD and a DAP?
A Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD) is a lump sum paid upfront and fully refunded when you leave. A Daily Accommodation Payment (DAP) is a daily fee paid instead of the lump sum. You can also pay a combination of both.

What happens if I cannot afford the accommodation payment?
If your financial assessment shows you cannot meet the accommodation cost, the government will cover it. No one is turned away from aged care because of cost.

 

If you are looking for residential aged care in South Australia, CCH offers warm, person-centred care across multiple locations in Adelaide and the Adelaide Hills. Our homes are known for genuine community, strong clinical care, and a culture where older persons are truly valued.