Australian aged-care glossary

Aged Care Funding Instrument(ACFI)

Legacy residential aged-care funding system used from 2008 to 1 October 2022. Replaced by AN-ACC. Heavily criticised in the Royal Commission for incentivising service-level provider behaviour rather than resident-level care quality.

Source: health.gov.au

Aged Care Refund Guarantee

Commonwealth statutory guarantee that 100% of every Australian RAD is repaid if a provider fails. Funded under Section 53-6 of the Aged Care Act 1997. No cap (vs $250k bank deposit guarantee).

Source: health.gov.au

Australian National Aged Care Classification(AN-ACC)

The funding classification system used since 1 October 2022 to determine federal subsidies paid to residential aged-care providers for each resident. Replaces the legacy ACFI. Based on a resident's assessed care needs across 13 classes – higher classes for higher needs (dementia, palliative, complex medical). The resident pays no more under a higher AN-ACC class; the provider receives more federal funding to support the extra care.

Source: health.gov.au

Basic Daily Fee(BDF)

Federally regulated daily contribution residents pay toward living costs (food, laundry, utilities, basic amenities) in residential aged care. Set at 85% of the single Age Pension daily rate (~$66.80/day at 20 March 2026 indexation). Charged regardless of means.

Source: servicesaustralia.gov.au

Daily Accommodation Payment(DAP)

Daily rent-style fee for accommodation in residential aged care, paid as long as the resident stays. Mathematically equivalent to RAD via the Maximum Permissible Interest Rate (MPIR). Residents can pay full RAD, full DAP or any combination.

Source: health.gov.au

Extra Service Fees

Additional daily fee for premium amenities at "extra-service-status" residential aged-care services – premium rooms, wine with meals, premium activities. Approved by the ACPC. Typically $5–$70/day. Optional; only applies if you sign an extra-service residency agreement.

Source: health.gov.au

Income-Tested Fee(ITF)

Income-tested contribution paid by Home Care Package recipients with assessable income above the threshold. Capped at ~$36/day; lifetime cap $85,000. Full-rate pensioners typically pay nothing.

Source: servicesaustralia.gov.au

Maximum Permissible Interest Rate(MPIR)

Federal interest rate used to convert between RAD + DAP. Published quarterly by the Department of Health. Around 7.9% in Q1 2026. Formula: daily DAP = (RAD × MPIR) ÷ 365.

Source: health.gov.au

Means-Tested Care Fee(MTCF)

Income + assets-tested contribution toward care costs in residential aged care. 0 for full-rate pensioners; up to ~$32,718/year for high-income / high-asset residents. Annual cap + lifetime cap ($82,018, indexed) apply. Services Australia conducts the assessment.

Source: servicesaustralia.gov.au

Refundable Accommodation Deposit(RAD)

Lump-sum payment for a room in residential aged care. Fully refundable when the resident leaves (less agreed deductions in the Residential Agreement). 100% guaranteed by the Commonwealth Aged Care Refund Guarantee. Maximum without external approval: $750,000.

Source: health.gov.au

Activities of Daily Living(ADLs)

The six core self-care tasks used in functional assessment: bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring (bed/chair mobility), continence, eating. ADL-based scales are used by ACAT to determine HCP level + residential aged-care eligibility.

Source: aihw.gov.au

Aged Care Assessment Team(ACAT)

Federally funded multidisciplinary teams that assess older Australians for eligibility for Commonwealth aged-care programs (residential care, Home Care Packages, respite, Transition Care). Free, conducted in your home or hospital. Apply via My Aged Care. ACAT is the gateway to all higher-level aged-care funding.

Source: myagedcare.gov.au

Instrumental Activities of Daily Living(IADLs)

Higher-level functional tasks (cooking, cleaning, shopping, managing medication, finances, transport, telephone use). IADL decline typically precedes ADL decline. CHSP eligibility hinges on IADL difficulty; ACAT for HCP assesses both ADLs + IADLs.

Source: aihw.gov.au

Regional Assessment Service(RAS)

Federally funded assessment for lower-intensity needs. Determines eligibility for Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) services – domestic assistance, transport, meals, social support. Faster + simpler than ACAT (~2–3 weeks vs 4–6). Apply via My Aged Care.

Source: myagedcare.gov.au

Aged + Community Care Providers Association(ACCPA)

Peak national body representing not-for-profit + for-profit aged-care providers (residential + home care). Lobbies for federal funding + policy outcomes; runs workforce + sector capability programs. Formed in 2022 by merger of Leading Age Services Australia + Aged + Community Services Australia.

Source: accpa.asn.au

Aged Care Pricing Commissioner(ACPC)

Independent federal body approving extra service fees + above-cap accommodation prices (RAD/DAP equivalents > $750,000) in residential aged care. Reviews market positioning, facility quality + cost structure before approving. Approvals listed publicly.

Source: agedcarepricingcommissioner.gov.au

Aged Care Quality + Safety Commission(ACQSC)

Australia's independent national regulator of aged-care services. Established 1 January 2019 under the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission Act 2018. Runs accreditation, complaints, the 5-star rating program + sanctions for non-compliance. Replaces the former Australian Aged Care Quality Agency + Aged Care Complaints Commissioner.

Source: agedcarequality.gov.au

Aged Care Quality Standards

8 standards covering: consumer dignity + choice; ongoing assessment + planning; personal + clinical care; services + supports for daily living; the service environment; feedback + complaints; human resources; organisational governance. Operational under the Aged Care Act 1997 + enforced by ACQSC.

Source: agedcarequality.gov.au

Anglicare Australia

National federation of independent Anglican community-service organisations. Major not-for-profit aged-care operator group (with state-based diocesan entities like Anglicare Sydney, Anglicare SA). Active sector advocate via the Anglicare Australia state-of-the-family report + aged-care commentary.

Source: anglicare.asn.au

Australian Institute of Health + Welfare(AIHW)

Federal statutory authority producing independent health + welfare statistics. Operates the GEN Aged Care Data portal (gen-agedcaredata.gov.au), the authoritative source for aged-care sector data (utilisation, funding, workforce, outcomes).

Source: aihw.gov.au

Council on the Ageing(COTA)

Peak national consumer advocacy body for older Australians. Represents users' interests in aged-care policy debate. Funds + supports the OPAN advocacy network. State-based COTA chapters in each capital.

Source: cota.org.au

Department of Health, Disability + Ageing

Federal department responsible for aged-care policy, funding + program administration. Sets the Aged Care Quality Standards, publishes the MPIR, indexes the BDF + AN-ACC subsidies, runs the Support at Home reform program.

Source: health.gov.au

GEN Aged Care Data

AIHW-operated public data portal for Australian aged-care statistics. Quarterly star-rating extracts, provider-level data, workforce statistics, expenditure data. Free, machine-readable. URL: gen-agedcaredata.gov.au

Source: gen-agedcaredata.gov.au

Independent Hospital + Aged Care Pricing Authority(IHACPA)

Independent federal authority providing pricing advice to the Australian Government on residential aged-care funding. Replaces the role formerly played by the Independent Hospital Pricing Authority (IHPA) following the 2022 aged-care funding reform.

Source: ihacpa.gov.au

My Aged Care

The Australian Government's aged-care information service + entry point. Phone 1800 200 422 or myagedcare.gov.au. Coordinates ACAT + RAS assessments, publishes the federal provider directory + star ratings, manages access to all Commonwealth aged-care programs.

Source: myagedcare.gov.au

National Aged Care Advocacy Program(NACAP)

Federal funding program supporting OPAN + state advocacy services. Replaced by an expanded OPAN funding model under the 2024–25 reforms. All aged-care recipients have access to free independent advocacy.

Source: health.gov.au

National Aged Care Mandatory Quality Indicator Program(QI Program)

Quarterly mandatory reporting program operated by ACQSC. Five clinical indicators reported by every residential service: pressure injuries, physical restraint, unplanned weight loss, falls + major injury, medication management. Results feed the Quality Measures component (12%) of the 5-star rating.

Source: agedcarequality.gov.au

Older Persons Advocacy Network(OPAN)

Federally funded, independent national advocacy service for older Australians + their families. Free advice + support when something goes wrong with aged-care services. Phone 1800 700 600.

Source: opan.org.au

Services Australia

Federal agency conducting the Combined Assets + Income Assessment for aged-care fee determination. Determines which residents pay means-tested care fees + at what level. Also administers Carer Payment + Carer Allowance.

Source: servicesaustralia.gov.au

Stewart Brown report

Annual benchmark report on Australian aged-care financial performance, produced by Stewart Brown chartered accountants. Tracks sector profitability, occupancy, staffing costs + facility-level financial sustainability. Widely cited in sector policy debate.

Source: stewartbrown.com.au

Behaviour Support Plan(BSP)

Mandatory documented plan in residential aged care for any resident receiving chemical or mechanical restraint. Records the resident's known triggers, response strategies + alternatives tried. ACQSC checks BSP quality during accreditation reviews.

Source: agedcarequality.gov.au

Commonwealth Home Support Programme(CHSP)

Entry-level Commonwealth-funded home-support program for older Australians needing some help to remain at home. Funds short bursts of domestic assistance, transport, meals, social support + minor home modifications. Around 840,000 Australians use CHSP per year. Being progressively transitioned to Support at Home from 1 July 2025.

Source: health.gov.au

Cottage Model

Small-scale residential design (typically 8–14 residents per cluster) using single-storey homes with shared kitchen + living rooms. Originated in Sweden, pioneered in Australia by HammondCare for dementia care. Lower noise, lower behavioural distress, higher resident agency. Higher build cost per bed; modest difference in operational cost.

Source: dementia.com.au

Geriatric Evaluation + Management(GEM)

Specialised hospital-based subacute service for older people with complex chronic conditions. Multidisciplinary rehab + medical care, typically 14–28 days. Often a precursor to TCP for further functional recovery. Federally + state-funded under acute health rather than aged-care budgets.

Source: health.gov.au

Home Care Package(HCP)

Federally subsidised package of in-home support services for older Australians needing more help than CHSP can provide. Four levels (1 basic to 4 high), with annual subsidy ~$10,000 to ~$60,000 paid directly to the provider. ACAT-assessed.

Source: health.gov.au

Memory Support Unit(MSU)

Locked or controlled-access wing within a residential aged-care home, specifically designed for residents with dementia who wander, exit-seek or whose safety is at risk in standard care. Typically 14–24 residents. Same funding as general residential care; no accommodation premium.

Source: dementia.com.au

Multi-Purpose Service(MPS)

Federal program combining aged care + acute hospital services in small rural communities where neither can be sustained alone. Around 180 MPS sites across regional + remote Australia. Funded jointly by Commonwealth + state health departments.

Source: health.gov.au

National Aboriginal + Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care Program(NATSIFAC)

Federally funded program providing culturally appropriate aged-care services to Aboriginal + Torres Strait Islander Elders, primarily in remote + very remote Australia. Around 40 service providers operating ~1,300 beds + home-care places.

Source: health.gov.au

Short-Term Restorative Care(STRC)

Short-term (up to 8 weeks) reablement-focused program designed to slow or reverse functional decline. Targets older Australians at the edge of needing higher-level care. Allied health-led; in-home or residential setting. Distinct from TCP – STRC is preventive, TCP is post-hospital recovery.

Source: health.gov.au

Specialist Dementia Care Program(SDCP)

Federally funded program of specialist dementia-care units for the small cohort of residents with very severe behavioural + psychological symptoms of dementia. Each unit caters for ~8 residents; ~17 SDCP units nationally. Operated as a hub-and-spoke specialist model.

Source: health.gov.au

Transition Care Programme(TCP)

Short-term federally-funded rehabilitation program (6–8 weeks, max 12 weeks) for older Australians leaving hospital. Daily physiotherapy + occupational therapy + nursing review. Delivered in-home or in a residential transition-care bed. ~60% of participants return home; ~25% transition to permanent residential placement.

Source: health.gov.au

215 care minutes target

Federally mandated minimum care delivery in residential aged care: 215 minutes per resident per day on average, including 44 minutes of registered-nurse time. In force from 1 October 2023. Forms the Staffing sub-rating (15%) of the 5-star system. Non-compliance triggers star deduction + ACQSC monitoring.

Source: health.gov.au

24/7 RN coverage

Federal mandate that every Australian residential aged-care service has a registered nurse on-site at all times. In force from 1 October 2024. Remote-area services have substitute clinical-oversight pathways.

Source: health.gov.au

Australian + New Zealand Society for Palliative Medicine(ANZSPM)

Specialist medical society representing palliative-care physicians in Australia + NZ. Members provide specialist consultation to aged-care residents in palliative care. Workforce signal: services with established ANZSPM relationships tend to have stronger palliative capability.

Source: anzspm.org.au

Carer Gateway

Federally funded national service for unpaid carers (people caring for an aged or disabled family member). Phone 1800 422 737 or carergateway.gov.au. Provides counselling, peer support, respite + emergency caring services. Free.

Source: carergateway.gov.au

Dementia Support Australia(DSA)

Federally funded national specialist behaviour-support service for dementia. Provides 24/7 phone consultation + on-site support to aged-care services + families managing complex dementia behaviour. Operated by HammondCare under Commonwealth contract.

Source: dementia.com.au

Dementia Training Australia(DTA)

Federally funded provider of dementia education + training for the Australian aged-care workforce. DTA-certified staff is a positive quality signal at a residential aged-care service or HCP provider.

Source: dta.com.au

End of Life Directions for Aged Care(ELDAC)

Federally funded national resource hub for end-of-life care in aged-care settings. Free tools, training, advance care planning resources + clinical decision support for aged-care providers + families. URL: eldac.com.au

Source: eldac.com.au

Palliative Care Outcomes Collaboration(PCOC)

National benchmarking program measuring palliative-care outcomes. Aged-care services participating in PCOC submit data on symptom control, family experience + end-of-life decision-making. Operated by the University of Wollongong with federal funding.

Source: pcoc.org.au

Program of Experience in Palliative Approach(PEPA)

Federally funded clinical-placement program providing palliative-care experience for aged-care + community workers. PEPA-trained staff is a positive quality signal at a residential aged-care service.

Source: pepaeducation.com

Advance Care Directive(ACD)

Legal document recording your wishes for medical treatment when you cannot speak for yourself, including end-of-life decisions (resuscitation, life-prolonging treatment, palliative-care preferences). Each state has its own form. Free templates via Advance Care Planning Australia.

Source: advancecareplanning.org.au

Aged Care Act 1997

The primary federal legislation governing Australian aged care from 1 October 1997 to mid-2025. Replaced by the new Aged Care Act passing in 2024–25 reform package, commencing 1 July 2025 (final commencement dates progressively staged).

Source: legislation.gov.au

Enduring Guardian

Legal document (NSW + similar in other states) appointing someone to make personal + lifestyle decisions (including aged-care placement decisions) on your behalf if you lose capacity. Distinct from EPA (which covers financial decisions). Required for placement in a secure dementia unit if the resident cannot give informed consent.

Source: tag.nsw.gov.au

Enduring Power of Attorney(EPA)

Legal document appointing someone to make financial decisions on your behalf if you lose capacity. State-by-state legislation varies (Powers of Attorney Act 2003 NSW, Powers of Attorney Act 2014 VIC, etc.). Essential before cognitive decline if family is to manage RAD payment, fee negotiation + financial decisions on the resident's behalf.

Source: lawcouncil.asn.au

Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality + Safety

Australian Government commission of inquiry, 2018–2021. Interim Report subtitled "Neglect"; Final Report "Care, Dignity + Respect" issued February 2021 with 148 recommendations. Drove the AN-ACC funding reform, the 5-star rating system, the 215 care minutes target, 24/7 RN coverage + the Support at Home program.

Source: agedcare.royalcommission.gov.au

Support at Home

New federal in-home aged-care program launching 1 July 2025, intended to progressively replace HCP + CHSP. Designed to simplify entry, increase service flexibility + close the gap between CHSP-level and HCP-level need. Existing CHSP + HCP recipients transition without disruption.

Source: health.gov.au