Aged care accommodation calculators
Understanding Aged Care Accommodation Costs Before You Commit
These aged care accommodation calculators help estimate what you might pay for aged care accommodation – including RADs (Refundable Accommodation Deposits), DAPs (Daily Accommodation Payments), means-tested fees, and possible refunds. They’re designed specifically for government-regulated residential aged care and do not apply to retirement villages or independent living. Use them as a guide only – actual fees will depend on your personal financial situation and provider agreements. Our aged care accommodation calculators are an excellent way of estimating costs. Also see our Home Care Package calculators and My Aged Care – Income and Assets Assessments
RAD and DAP Fee Calculator (Refundable Accommodation Deposit & Daily Payment)
What it Does:
This aged care accommodation calculator estimates your Daily Accommodation Payment (DAP) based on how much of the Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD) you plan to pay upfront. It uses the current MPIR (Maximum Permissible Interest Rate) set by the government to help you see what your ongoing costs might be.
Important Note:
These are full, unsubsidised costs. Actual out-of-pocket fees may be lower once your means-tested results are factored in by Services Australia.
Note: These are full costs before any government subsidies or support. Your actual out-of-pocket cost may be lower depending on your means-tested outcome.
MPIR Note: The MPIR (Maximum Permissible Interest Rate) is an annual interest rate set by the Australian Government and updated quarterly. As of July 2024, the MPIR is 8.34%. Always confirm the current MPIR with your provider.
RAD Refund Estimator
What it Does:
This aged care accommodation calculator estimates how much of your RAD (Refundable Accommodation Deposit) might be refunded, based on standard deductions – typically around 5% per year for up to five years. It gives families a clearer picture of what to expect if the person remains in care for a certain number of years.
Important Note:
Actual deductions and refund amounts vary depending on the individual’s agreement with the aged care provider.
Note: This is an estimate based on standard deduction rules. Actual refunds may vary depending on your agreement with the care provider and the length of stay.
RAD + DAP Split Optimiser
What it Does:
This aged care accommodation calculator helps you explore how much of your accommodation cost to pay as a lump sum (RAD) versus a daily fee (DAP). By adjusting your upfront payment, you can see how it affects your ongoing DAP amount — calculated using the current MPIR.
Important Note:
Use this to test different contribution levels, but remember actual fees will be finalised by your provider and depend on government subsidies you may receive.
Note: This tool shows the daily payment (DAP) you’d pay on the unpaid portion of your accommodation cost. Your actual cost may be lower if you’re eligible for government subsidies.
Accommodation Affordability Checker
What it Does:
This tool helps you see whether your available budget is enough to cover the full RAD or whether you’d need to make ongoing DAP payments for any shortfall.
Important Note:
It offers a helpful starting point when evaluating affordability, but it doesn’t factor in care fees or government support.
This tool estimates whether your available budget is enough to pay the RAD in full or what your DAP might be if you can only pay part of it. Results are estimates only and don’t factor in subsidies or government support.
Means-Tested Care Fee Estimator (Residential Aged Care)
What it Does:
This calculator estimates your Means-Tested Care Fee, which is a daily care contribution assessed by the government based on your income and assets. This fee is in addition to accommodation payments and the Basic Daily Fee.
Important Note:
Actual fees are determined by Services Australia after a formal means assessment. This tool gives only a general guide and does not account for deductions, exemptions, or capping rules in full.
This estimate does not include all possible deductions or exemptions. The actual fee is determined by Services Australia after a full means assessment. The maximum means-tested care fee is currently capped at $32,718.57 per year (2024–25).
Income-Tested Care Fee Estimator (Home Care Package)
What it Does:
If you’re on a Home Care Package, this tool helps estimate your Income-Tested Care Fee based on your annual income. This fee is in addition to the standard Basic Daily Fee.
Important Note:
This is an income-only estimate and does not include asset-based assessments. Final amounts are set by Services Australia after assessment.
This tool provides a general estimate of the income-tested care fee you may need to pay in addition to the basic daily fee for a Home Care Package. Final fees are assessed by Services Australia.
Need help understanding your results?
ApplyWise can guide you through aged care funding decisions, from RAD contributions to care fee assessments. Contact us for a personal consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a RAD in aged care?
A RAD (Refundable Accommodation Deposit) is a lump-sum payment made to an aged care home for accommodation. It is refunded when the resident leaves, minus any agreed deductions.
What is a DAP in aged care?
DAP stands for Daily Accommodation Payment. If you don’t pay the RAD in full, the remaining amount is charged as a daily fee, based on the MPIR interest rate.
How accurate are these aged care accommodation calculators?
Our calculators provide estimates based on the latest MPIR and aged care policies. Actual costs may vary based on your personal means assessment and provider agreements.
What is the MPIR?
MPIR stands for Maximum Permissible Interest Rate. It is set quarterly by the Australian Government and used to calculate DAP amounts.
Will government subsidies reduce my aged care costs?
Yes, most people are eligible for subsidies based on income and assets. Our tools give you a starting point — actual fees are confirmed by Services Australia after assessment.