ACQSC + My Aged Care · Ballarat

Best Aged Care in Ballarat, 2026

7 aged-care providers in Ballarat, 2026, ranked by ACQSC star rating (the Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission's quality regime introduced December 2022). We flag the things that change the conversation: ownership type (faith-based or community not-for-profit vs the ASX-listed Regis / Estia operators), bed capacity, basic daily fee + Refundable Accommodation Deposit where the home publishes them, dementia-specific and palliative-care availability, and special-needs programs (LGBTI, CALD, Indigenous, Veterans). Verify any provider's current ACQSC rating directly at myagedcare.gov.au. Coverage spans Ballarat, Wendouree, Sebastopol, Alfredton, Mount Pleasant and Ballarat East.

7 providers ranked No paid placements ACQSC ratings published
The Health Desk · Editorial team, aged care + dental + plastic surgery + dermatology + weight-loss + psychology · Updated 3 June 2026 · How we rank · Editorial standards

Which is the best aged care in Ballarat?

Our top-ranked aged care in Ballarat for 2026 is Bupa Ballarat — Bupa Ballarat (Delacombe, Ballarat) is a privately-held for-profit operator. Runners-up: Estia Health Mount Clear and Mercy Place Ballarat. All 7 providers in this guide serve Ballarat and are ranked on verifiable credentials and information transparency, not paid placement.

Based on 7 providers profiled in Ballarat, all cross-referenced against the relevant Australian regulator. Independent ranking, no paid placements, no first-party reviews.

★Key takeaways

  • ✓Highest ACQSC rating: Bupa Ballarat (4/5 stars), Delacombe.
  • ✓4 of 7 have ACQSC ratings of 4 or 5 stars; the national average is around 3 stars.
  • ✓4 are not-for-profit (faith-based or community-owned); the rest are for-profit operators.
  • ✓6 offer dedicated dementia-specific care; 3 are palliative-care capable.
  • ✓Most providers do not publish daily fees publicly. Always request a written fee letter before signing.

7 Verified Aged Care in Ballarat, Ranked

1

Bupa Ballarat

Private (for-profit) ACQSC 4/5 Dementia-specific Palliative care Delacombe

Bupa Ballarat (Delacombe, Ballarat) is a privately-held for-profit operator. ACQSC 4/5 stars. 144 approved beds. Dementia-specific care available.

ACQSC rating

★★★★☆

Beds

144

Daily fee from

On enquiry

RAD from

$608k

Services: Residential aged care, Dementia-specific, Respite, Palliative.

Specialty programs: Dementia, Veterans.

Best for: Families needing secure dementia-specific care

Private residential aged-care home in Delacombe, Ballarat. ACQSC overall rating 4 stars (Good). Specialist programs: Dementia, Veterans.

03 4333 6600

Note: Sourced from the My Aged Care / ACQSC register (https://www.bupaagedcare.com.au/aged-care-homes/bupa-ballarat). ACQSC star ratings and RAD prices change quarterly — verify on myagedcare.gov.au before applying.

2

Estia Health Mount Clear

Private (for-profit) ACQSC 4/5 Dementia-specific Mount Clear

Estia Health Mount Clear runs a privately-held for-profit operator from Mount Clear. ACQSC 4/5 stars. 120 approved beds. Dementia-specific care available.

ACQSC rating

★★★★☆

Beds

120

Daily fee from

On enquiry

RAD from

$570k

Services: Residential aged care, Dementia-specific, Respite.

Specialty programs: Dementia.

Best for: Families needing secure dementia-specific care

Private residential aged-care home in Mount Clear, Ballarat. ACQSC overall rating 4 stars (Good). Specialist programs: Dementia.

Note: Sourced from the My Aged Care / ACQSC register (https://www.estiahealth.com.au/our-homes/vic-melbourne/mount-clear/). ACQSC star ratings and RAD prices change quarterly — verify on myagedcare.gov.au before applying.

3

Mercy Place Ballarat

Not-for-profit (faith-based) ACQSC 4/5 Palliative care Ballarat East

Mercy Place Ballarat operates as a faith-based not-for-profit aged-care provider in Ballarat East, Ballarat. ACQSC 4/5 stars. 114 approved beds. Palliative-care capable.

ACQSC rating

★★★★☆

Beds

114

Daily fee from

On enquiry

RAD from

On enquiry

Services: Residential aged care, Respite, Palliative.

Best for: Residents needing palliative or end-of-life care

Faith-based not-for-profit residential aged-care home in Ballarat East, Ballarat. ACQSC overall rating 4 stars (Good).

Note: Sourced from the My Aged Care / ACQSC register (https://residential-care.mercyhealth.com.au/homes/aged-care-homes/mercy-place-ballarat/). ACQSC star ratings and RAD prices change quarterly — verify on myagedcare.gov.au before applying.

4

Jack Lonsdale Lodge

Government ACQSC 4/5 Dementia-specific Sebastopol

Jack Lonsdale Lodge, in Sebastopol, is a government-funded aged-care provider. ACQSC 4/5 stars. 45 approved beds. Dementia-specific care available.

ACQSC rating

★★★★☆

Beds

45

Daily fee from

On enquiry

RAD from

On enquiry

Services: Residential aged care, Dementia-specific, Transitional care.

Specialty programs: Dementia.

Best for: Families needing secure dementia-specific care

Government-run residential aged-care home in Sebastopol, Ballarat. ACQSC overall rating 4 stars (Good). Specialist programs: Dementia.

03 5335 0522

Note: Sourced from the My Aged Care / ACQSC register (https://agedcare.gh.org.au/our-locations/jack-lonsdale-lodge/). ACQSC star ratings and RAD prices change quarterly — verify on myagedcare.gov.au before applying.

5

Calvary Kirralee

Not-for-profit (faith-based) Dementia-specific Ballarat East

Calvary Kirralee (Ballarat East, Ballarat) is a faith-based not-for-profit aged-care provider. 100 approved beds. Dementia-specific care available.

ACQSC rating

Not yet rated

Beds

100

Daily fee from

On enquiry

RAD from

$547k

Services: Residential aged care, Dementia-specific, Respite.

Specialty programs: Dementia.

Best for: Families needing secure dementia-specific care

Faith-based not-for-profit residential aged-care home in Ballarat East, Ballarat. Specialist programs: Dementia.

Note: Sourced from the My Aged Care / ACQSC register (https://www.calvarycare.org.au/residential-aged-and-respite-care/calvary-kirralee). ACQSC star ratings and RAD prices change quarterly — verify on myagedcare.gov.au before applying.

6

mecwacare Wahroonga

Not-for-profit (community) Dementia-specific Palliative care Canadian

mecwacare Wahroonga runs a community-owned not-for-profit aged-care provider from Canadian. 90 approved beds. Dementia-specific care available.

ACQSC rating

Not yet rated

Beds

90

Daily fee from

On enquiry

RAD from

$425k

Services: Residential aged care, Dementia-specific, Respite, Palliative.

Specialty programs: Dementia.

Best for: Families needing secure dementia-specific care

Community not-for-profit residential aged-care home in Canadian, Ballarat. Specialist programs: Dementia.

03 5364 2500

Note: Sourced from the My Aged Care / ACQSC register (https://www.mecwacare.org.au/services/aged-care-homes/canadian-ballarat/). ACQSC star ratings and RAD prices change quarterly — verify on myagedcare.gov.au before applying.

7

Calvary Kelaston

Not-for-profit (faith-based) Dementia-specific Wendouree

Calvary Kelaston operates as a faith-based not-for-profit aged-care provider in Wendouree, Ballarat. Dementia-specific care available.

ACQSC rating

Not yet rated

Beds

Not stated

Daily fee from

On enquiry

RAD from

$619k

Services: Residential aged care, Dementia-specific, Respite.

Specialty programs: Dementia.

Best for: Families needing secure dementia-specific care

Faith-based not-for-profit residential aged-care home in Wendouree, Ballarat. Specialist programs: Dementia.

Note: Sourced from the My Aged Care / ACQSC register (https://www.calvarycare.org.au/residential-aged-and-respite-care/calvary-kelaston-ballarat). ACQSC star ratings and RAD prices change quarterly — verify on myagedcare.gov.au before applying.

Aged Care in Ballarat, side by side · Click any header to sort
Provider ⇅ Suburb ⇅ Ownership ⇅ ACQSC ⇅ Beds ⇅ Daily fee from ⇅
Bupa Ballarat DelacombePrivate4/5144On enquiry
Estia Health Mount Clear Mount ClearPrivate4/5120On enquiry
Mercy Place Ballarat Ballarat EastNFP (faith)4/5114On enquiry
Jack Lonsdale Lodge SebastopolGovernment4/545On enquiry
Calvary Kirralee Ballarat EastNFP (faith)Not yet rated100On enquiry
mecwacare Wahroonga CanadianNFP (community)Not yet rated90On enquiry
Calvary Kelaston WendoureeNFP (faith)Not yet rated-On enquiry

Pricing and availability data checked against public sources at time of publication. We do not host first-party reviews; star ratings have been removed from this directory pending a moderated review-collection process.

Aged-care RAD prices in Ballarat, by band

Upper · $550k–750k

3 homes — e.g. Bupa Ballarat, Estia Health Mount Clear, Calvary Kelaston

Mid-range · $400k–550k

2 homes — e.g. Calvary Kirralee, mecwacare Wahroonga

Work out your own fees with the means-test calculator →

Ballarat aged care by type of care

Dementia & memory care in Ballarat

Respite care in Ballarat

Palliative care in Ballarat

Ballarat aged care: not-for-profit vs private

Not-for-profit aged care in Ballarat

Private & listed operators in Ballarat

Aged-care homes in Ballarat, by suburb

SuburbHomesACQSC
Ballarat East Mercy Place Ballarat, Calvary Kirralee 4★
Delacombe Bupa Ballarat 4★
Mount Clear Estia Health Mount Clear 4★
Sebastopol Jack Lonsdale Lodge 4★
Canadian mecwacare Wahroonga —
Wendouree Calvary Kelaston —

How we rank aged care in Ballarat

We rank aged-care providers on objective, publicly verifiable signals — never on star reviews, which we do not collect. The strongest signal is the ACQSC star rating (the Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission's regime, weighted compliance 40%, residents' experience 33%, staffing 15%, quality measures 12%), followed by bed capacity and stability, ownership type, fee transparency (published basic daily fee and RAD), and dementia / palliative care availability. Verify any provider's current rating at myagedcare.gov.au. Best Aged Care Australia does not accept payment to feature or rank providers.

Get a free shortlist of aged-care homes that fit

Choosing a home for a parent is hard, and the system is genuinely confusing. Tell us what's needed and we'll hand-pick a shortlist of Ballarat aged-care homes that genuinely fit — by location, care level and budget — and connect you with a placement specialist if you want one. Free, and we'll never sell your details or pester you.

We're an independent guide — not a home or a sales agency — and your details just help us match you and a placement specialist to homes that fit. We'll never sell your data or pressure you. Privacy Policy.

Common questions

FAQs: aged care in Ballarat

Where can I find genuine reviews of Ballarat aged-care homes?

Australia does not have a trusted consumer star-review system for aged care, and we do not publish first-party star ratings. The closest authoritative quality signal is the ACQSC star rating on myagedcare.gov.au, which includes a Residents' Experience component drawn from face-to-face interviews with residents (weighted 33% of the overall star rating). Read the full quality-indicator and resident-experience breakdown for each home on My Aged Care, and visit in person twice before deciding — ratings are a quarterly snapshot, not a substitute for a tour.

How much does aged care cost in Ballarat in 2026?

Every resident pays the federally-regulated basic daily fee of $66.80/day (March 2026), plus a means-tested care fee based on income and assets, plus accommodation: either a lump-sum Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD) or an equivalent Daily Accommodation Payment (DAP) at the Maximum Permissible Interest Rate. RADs in Ballarat commonly range from $400,000 to $900,000+. Always request a written fee letter and check the home's published RAD on myagedcare.gov.au before signing.

How do I choose between aged-care homes in Ballarat?

Tour each home at least twice (once at meal time, once mid-afternoon), check the latest ACQSC accreditation report and star rating, and ask about 24/7 registered-nurse coverage and care minutes per resident per day (the federal target is 215 minutes, including 44 minutes of RN time). Talk to current residents' families — they're the most honest reference. A free placement consultant can also identify current vacancies and negotiate the RAD.

How much is the RAD for aged care in Ballarat?

Among the Ballarat aged-care homes we list with a published price, Refundable Accommodation Deposits (RADs) centre around $570,000, typically ranging from under $400,000 to $750,000+. The RAD is fully refundable when the resident leaves or passes away. You can instead pay an equivalent Daily Accommodation Payment (DAP) at the Maximum Permissible Interest Rate, or split the two. Always confirm the current RAD on myagedcare.gov.au and request a written accommodation agreement before signing — RADs are often negotiable.

Which Ballarat aged-care homes offer dementia care?

Ballarat homes we cover with dementia or secure memory support include Bupa Ballarat, Estia Health Mount Clear, Jack Lonsdale Lodge, Calvary Kirralee. Secure dementia units are locked, dementia-specific wings with higher staffing and design that prevents wandering; eligibility runs through an ACAT assessment via My Aged Care (1800 200 422). Costs mirror standard residential care. Dementia-specific beds can have longer waits, so it's worth enquiring early.

How do I get an ACAT assessment for my parent?

Call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422. The assessment is free and conducted by a qualified team (usually a nurse or social worker) at your parent's home. It takes 1-2 hours and determines what level of care they're eligible for — Home Care Package levels, residential aged care, respite, or transition care. You'll receive a referral code by post within 2-4 weeks. Without an ACAT code, you cannot access subsidised aged care services.

How much does aged care cost in Australia in 2026?

Residential aged care costs include a Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD) of $400k-$1.2M (returned when you leave), the Basic Daily Care Fee of $61.96/day (paid by everyone), a means-tested care fee of 0-$32,718/year based on income and assets, and optional extra services fees. Total annual cost ranges from $30,000 (low-means residents) to $90,000+ (premium homes). In-home care via Home Care Packages is much cheaper: $7,500-$61,000/year depending on level.

What is the difference between low-care and high-care?

These categories were abolished in 2014. Aged care homes now offer a mix of care levels and adjust as residents' needs change. Your level of subsidy is determined by the Aged Care Funding Instrument (ACFI) assessment done after admission. This means you don't need to move homes if your mum's needs increase — the same home will provide more support and the government subsidy will increase accordingly.

How long does it take to get into an aged care home?

In metropolitan Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth, most homes have vacancies and placement can occur within 1-4 weeks of an ACAT assessment being completed. Premium homes in inner suburbs may have 3-12 month waitlists. Regional homes are typically faster (1-2 weeks). Specialist dementia care units are slower (4-12 weeks) due to limited bed numbers. If urgent placement is needed, a placement service can identify homes with same-week vacancies.

Will Centrelink fund aged care?

The government heavily subsidises aged care through the Aged Care Subsidy. The amount depends on a means assessment of your parent's income and assets. Low-means residents pay only the Basic Daily Care Fee ($61.96/day) and have their accommodation costs covered. Higher-means residents pay more, including a means-tested care fee up to $32,718/year and full accommodation costs (RAD or daily payment). Services Australia conducts the means assessment — submit forms SA457 (income) and SA485 (assets).

Other aged care city rankings

Independent aged care rankings, by Australian city.

Best aged care in Melbourne

VIC

Best aged care in Sydney

NSW

Best aged care in Brisbane

QLD

Best aged care in Perth

WA

Best aged care in Adelaide

SA

Best aged care in Hobart

TAS

Best aged care in Canberra

ACT

Best aged care in Darwin

NT

Best aged care in Gold Coast

QLD

Best aged care in Newcastle

NSW

Best aged care in Wollongong

NSW

Best aged care in Geelong

VIC
All city rankings → · Guides → · How we rank →