Uniting AgeWell is an organisation of the Uniting Church in Australia.

The AgeWell philosophy is built on the recognition that people want to grow old in their own community, remain independent, have purpose, feel valued and make a contribution.

Uniting AgeWell recognises the different stages of the ageing process by offering service continuity and peace of mind as your needs change. We aim to support everyone on their individual ageing journey through choice, autonomy, flexibility and community.

The Uniting AgeWell Service Model has six elements: Connect, Being, Assist, Restore, Care and Palliate. These are reflected in the services we offer to help support your lifestyle.

Approval for access to Government-subsidised residential care is required before anyone can be considered for a place at Uniting AgeWell.

The Aged Care Assessment Service (ACAS) in Victoria, and Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) in Tasmania, determine a person’s eligibility for aged care services.

All residents must have a Comprehensive Assessment prior to admission to a Uniting AgeWell home.

To organise an assessment, contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or visit myagedcare.gov.au

Uniting AgeWell aims to provide the highest possible standard of care, regardless of your financial circumstances. The Australian Government determines what you may be asked to contribute towards your care and accommodation. This is based on your income, assets and ability to pay. Fees and charges fall into several categories: 

Basic daily fee

All Residents pay a daily fee set by the Australian Government. This fee goes towards day-to-day living costs such as meals, cleaning and laundry, heating and cooling. The maximum basic daily fee is 85 per cent of the single person rate of the basic Age Pension and is adjusted every six months in line with pension increases. 

Contributions for everyday living costs (from 1 November 2025)

• Hotelling contribution

The Hotelling Supplement is means tested.  People who can afford to will contribute more towards their daily living costs through a hotelling contribution. Services Australia will tell you if you need to pay a hotelling contribution and if so, how much you need to pay. This is based on your means assessment. The maximum amount changes with indexation in March and September.

• Non-clinical care contribution

People who need to pay the maximum Hotelling contribution may also need to pay a non-clinical care contribution. This fee contributes to personal care costs such as bathing and mobility assistance. Services Australia will tell you if you need to pay a non-clinical care contribution and if so, how much you need to pay. This is based on your means assessment. The maximum amount changes with indexation in March and September. Daily and lifetime caps apply.

Accommodation arrangements

This fee is for your accommodation at our residential care community. Some residents will have their accommodation costs met in full or in part by the Australian Government, while others will need to pay the Accommodation Payment set for their chosen room at Uniting AgeWell. You can choose how you would like to make this payment. 

To ensure you are charged the correct fees, it’s recommended that you complete a means assessment. This will allow Services Australia to determine the appropriate amount based on your individual circumstances. 

You can use the Residential Care Fee Estimator on the My Aged Care website to help you estimate what costs you may be asked to pay. For more information visit: myagedcare.gov.au

New accommodation arrangements from 1 November 2025

The Australian Government has introduced new accommodation arrangements that will apply if you first enter permanent residential aged care on or after 1 November 2025. These include: 

• Refundable deposit retention (RAD)

If you pay a lump sum, Uniting AgeWell keeps 2% of your lump sum per year. This amount is not refunded when you leave care. After five years in care, no further retention amounts will be deducted.

• Daily accommodation payment (DAP) indexing

If you pay by DAP, this amount will increase due to indexation on 20 March and 20 September each year. Indexation does not apply to accommodation contributions (DAC) paid by residents eligible for government assistance with their accommodation costs.

Higher Everyday Living Fee (HELF)

Many aged care providers offer higher everyday living services that go beyond the minimum care and service requirements. These services are not subsidised by the Australian Government. Uniting AgeWell offers these higher everyday living services as part of its HELF-compliant LiveWell Advantage program for an additional daily fee.

LiveWell Advantage provides residents with a premium experience through a wider selection of services and lifestyle options, including premium in-room, dining, wellbeing, social and personal services. LiveWell Advantage services are available to purchase as a cost-effective package or can be purchased individually if required. The LiveWell Advantage is an optional fee for service program.

A resident entering aged care will need to choose how to pay for their accommodation either via a Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD) or Daily Accommodation Payment (DAP), or combination of both.

The DAP is calculated from the RAD amount at a government prescribed interest rate (MPIR). A resident can elect to pay a combination of RAD and DAP to suit their financial circumstances. Uniting AgeWell’s Admissions Team is happy to explain the different options for Accommodation Payments or you can seek independent financial advice.

Aged care providers are required to provide places for residents who have limited financial means. Depending on your assets and income, part or all of your accommodation costs may be met by the Government.

To see if you are able to receive the accommodation supplement, you can complete an income and assets test through Services Australia or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

Yes, as with any move into a new residence, and to ensure your legal security, a comprehensive Residential Agreement between you and Uniting AgeWell will be part of this process. Once this has been signed by all parties, you are able to move into your new home.

If you wish to take up the LiveWell Advantage program, you will be asked to sign a separate LiveWell Advantage (Higher Everyday Living Fee) Agreement after you have entered care. This agreement is separate from the Residential Agreement.

Led by an experienced Residential Services Manager, you’ll be supported by consistent, highly trained staff, including registered nurses always on duty, clinical care specialists and personal carers.

Carefully selected and screened, our team are committed to providing the high-quality care you would expect from Uniting AgeWell.

They have expertise and qualifications in many areas, including dementia support and palliative care. They are complemented by vibrant lifestyle staff, the chaplaincy team and hotel services staff.

At Uniting AgeWell we have an ageing-in-place approach to care. Ageing-in-place enables our residents to enter care and then remain in their new home with the support they need as their care needs change.

Guided by the Uniting AgeWell Dementia Framework, we adopt a model of care to achieve the best possible care outcomes for people living with dementia, maximising quality of life through quality of care.