Cost calculator
Aged care accommodation cost calculator
When someone moves into an aged care home, they agree a room price and choose how to pay it: a refundable lump sum (a RAD), a non-refundable daily payment (a DAP), or a combination of both. This calculator shows how those choices interact — in plain numbers.
Refundable deposit (RAD)
$275,000.00
Refunded when the person leaves care (homes may retain up to 2% per year for up to five years under the current arrangements).
Daily payment (DAP)
$64.12/day
$23,402.50 per year on the unpaid $275,000.00, at the maximum permissible interest rate of 8.51% p.a.
Basic daily fee
$68.93/day
Everyone pays this — it covers meals, cleaning, laundry and utilities.
Indicative daily total
$133.05/day
Basic daily fee plus DAP. Means-tested contributions may also apply — see below.
These are educational estimates only. They use the basic daily fee of $68.93 and the maximum permissible interest rate of 8.51% p.a. current from 20 September 2026. They don't include means-tested contributions, which depend on a Services Australia assessment of income and assets, or optional higher everyday living fees.
Actual fees depend on individual circumstances, the home and the date of entry. For a personalised estimate use the My Aged Care fee estimator , and seek advice from a licensed aged care financial adviser before committing large sums.
RAD, DAP or a mix — how do families choose?
Paying more as a RAD reduces the daily DAP, but ties up capital that might be needed elsewhere — and selling the family home to fund a RAD can affect the age pension and means-tested fees. There's no universally right answer, which is why this decision is worth talking through.
Read our RAD vs DAP guide and plain-English guide to aged care costs for the full picture.
Want help with your family's real numbers?
We'll walk you through the exact fees for the homes you're considering — free, before you commit to anything.