01/07/2026
$63,000 a year while you wait.
That is what some older Australians could pay in Daily Accommodation Payments because they are unable to pay a Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD) when they enter residential aged care.
The My Aged Care website says residents can choose to pay a RAD after entering residential aged care at any time.
In practice, many providers cannot accept a RAD on the day a resident enters care unless Services Australia has already issued a means assessment outcome.
Until then, residents have little choice but to pay a Daily Accommodation Payment
On a $750,000 room, that is about $173 a day, or more than $63,000 a year using today's MPIR of 8.43%.
The government says you have a choice.
Many residents are finding they don't.
A choice promised in policy should exist in practice.
