Consultation Paper on the Pricing Framework for Australian Residential Aged Care Services 2026–27 

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About RAD approvals

What is a RAD?

A refundable accommodation deposit (RAD) is the lump-sum payment for a room (or part of a room) in an aged care home. The price is for residents who are not eligible for Australian Government assistance.

Each residential aged care provider sets their own price for different kinds of rooms. You must publish the prices on My Aged Care, your website and in your published materials for residents as: 

  • a lump-sum RAD amount
  • an equivalent daily accommodation payment (DAP)
  • an equivalent combination of both.

The resident chooses the payment option they prefer within 28 days of entering care.

If a resident is eligible for Government assistance, they may need to pay accommodation contributions. We do not regulate accommodation contribution amounts.

When RADs need approval

On 1 January 2025, the maximum accommodation payment amount you can charge a resident as a RAD (or equivalent daily amount) without approval from IHACPA increased from $550,000 to $750,000. This amount is indexed to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) annually from 1 July 2025.

The maximum accommodation payment amount is currently $758,627.

You must apply, or reapply, to IHACPA for approval if you are an approved provider of residential aged care services and:

  • you want to charge more than $758,627 as a RAD (or equivalent Daily Accommodation Payment (DAP))
  • you want to charge an amount that is higher than your currently approved amount
  • your current approval is expiring.

Approvals are valid for 4 years. You must reapply to IHACPA at least 60 days before your existing approval expires if you wish to continue to charge RAD prices above the maximum accommodation payment amount.

Apply for RAD approval

The form and process to apply for a RAD is the same whether you have applied for RAD approval before or not.

When completing your application you must use the most up to date application form published on our website. Submitting older versions of the application form or incomplete applications will delay the assessment of your application.

Apply for RAD approval

Learn more about the application and approval process.

Why RADs need approval

You must apply for approval so we can check:

  • if the proposed price represents value to the resident through the quality and amenities of the accommodation
  • the factors you considered to determine the proposed price.

Who can apply

Approved providers of residential aged care can apply for RAD approval.

Legislation

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