FAQs

Dougherty’s services are in high demand and as such we have a waiting list for residents wishing to enter our residential care. Application Forms can be completed and returned with an ACAT assessment to the Director of Care.

Current basic daily fees are available on the Department of Human Services website.  These daily care fees increase in March and September of each year.

For new residents, the maximum basic daily fee is 85% of the single person Age Pension. This applies even if you are a member of a couple.  Further information on the Age Pension and a full list of current rates is available on the Department of Human Services website.   If you are a veteran, you may be eligible for assistance from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. For more information, contact Department of Veterans’ Affairs on 133 254 or 1800 555 254 (for regional callers).

When you enter an aged care home you will receive a letter from the Department of Human Services confirming your maximum basic daily fee.

Yes. Your basic daily fee will be indexed on 20 March and 20 September each year in line with increases to the Age Pension. The Department of Human Services will let you know when the increases occur but you can also find the current rates of the basic daily fee on the Schedule of Residential Fees and Charges.

This is an additional contribution towards the cost of care that some people may be required to pay. The Department of Human Services will work out if you are required to pay this fee based on an assessment of your income and assets, and will advise you of the amount. Please note that if you are a member of a couple, half of your combined income and assets are considered in determining your means-tested care fee, regardless of which partner earns the income or owns the asset.

There are annual and lifetime caps that apply to the means-tested care fee. Once these caps are reached, you cannot be asked to pay any more means-tested care fees. Any income-tested care fees you have paid in a Home Care Package prior to moving into an aged care home will also contribute to your annual and lifetime caps.

Information on the governing rules of aged care means test assessments, including deemed income and exemptions, is available on the Department of Human Services website. For more information about how residential aged care can affect Centrelink payments, contact the Department of Human Services Centrelink directly on 132 300.

This is for your accommodation in the home. Some people will have their accommodation costs met in full or in part by the Australian Government, while others will need to pay the accommodation price agreed with the aged care home. The Department of Human Services will advise which applies to you based on an assessment of your income and assets.

Please note that if you are a member of a couple, half of your combined income and assets are considered in determining your eligibility for Government assistance with accommodation costs when you enter the home, regardless of which partner earns the income or owns the asset.

Yes, a number of safeguards have been put in place to ensure that residents receive adequate quality of care and services.

Residential Care must satisfy a set of Accreditation Standards in order to receive Government funding. The standards relate to matters such as health, personal care, lifestyle, safety and quality of buildings and surroundings, and management and organisational development. Once accredited, facilities are regularly monitored to ensure continued compliance.

Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency: This independent agency manages the accreditation process, assists facilities to improve the quality of care and services, and refers transgressors to the Department of social services. Please visit My Aged Care website or phone 1800 200 422.

Website can help you with information regarding –

  • Eligibility and assessment
  • Financial