ACQSC + My Aged Care · Cairns

Best Aged Care in Cairns, 2026

There's no single "best" or "number one" aged-care home in Cairns — the right one depends entirely on the person: their care needs, where family can visit, the budget, and whether they need dementia, respite or palliative care. So rather than pretend one home wins for everyone, we rank the 11 Cairns homes we cover by their official ACQSC star rating (the government's quality regime) and show what actually changes the decision: the rating breakdown, ownership type (faith-based or community not-for-profit vs ASX-listed Regis / Estia operators), the basic daily fee + Refundable Accommodation Deposit where published, and dementia, respite, palliative and cultural / LGBTI options. Start free with My Aged Care on 1800 200 422, and always verify a home's current rating at myagedcare.gov.au. Coverage spans Cairns, Edge Hill, Whitfield, Manunda, Mooroobool and Earlville.

11 providers ranked No paid placements ACQSC ratings published

The Health Desk · Editorial team, aged care + dental + plastic surgery + dermatology + weight-loss + psychology · Updated 11 June 2026 · How we rank · Editorial standards

Which is the best aged care in Cairns?

Our top-ranked aged care in Cairns for 2026 is Regis Whitfield — Regis Whitfield (Whitfield, Cairns) is a ASX-listed for-profit operator. Runners-up: Regis Redlynch and Bupa Cairns. All 11 providers in this guide serve Cairns and are ranked on verifiable credentials and information transparency, not paid placement.

Based on 11 providers profiled in Cairns, all cross-referenced against the relevant Australian regulator. Independent ranking, no paid placements, no first-party reviews.

★Key takeaways

✓Highest ACQSC rating: Regis Whitfield (4/5 stars), Whitfield.
✓1 of 11 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.
✓5 offer dedicated dementia-specific care; 5 are palliative-care capable.
✓Published basic daily fees range $66.8–$158/day; the means-tested care fee, RAD/DAP and additional services sit on top. Always request a fee letter before signing.

11 Verified Aged Care in Cairns, Ranked

Regis Whitfield

ASX-listed (for-profit) ACQSC 4/5 Whitfield

Regis Whitfield (Whitfield, Cairns) is a ASX-listed for-profit operator. ACQSC 4/5 stars. 129 approved beds.

ACQSC rating

★★★★☆

Beds

129

Basic daily fee

$132/day

RAD from

$608k

Services: Residential aged care, Permanent care, Day therapy.

Best for: Families prioritising ACQSC quality rating above all

Asx-listed residential aged-care home in Whitfield, Cairns. ACQSC overall rating 4 stars (Good).

1300 998 100

Note: Sourced from the My Aged Care / ACQSC register (https://www.agedcarequickstart.com.au/ressvcs/profile/53965/). ACQSC star ratings and RAD prices change quarterly — verify on myagedcare.gov.au before applying.

Regis Redlynch

Private (for-profit) Redlynch

Regis Redlynch runs a privately-held for-profit operator from Redlynch. 194 approved beds.

ACQSC rating

Not yet rated

Beds

194

Basic daily fee

$66.8/day

RAD from

Not published

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

Best for: Carers needing short-stay respite for a family member

194-bed privately operated residential aged-care home in Cairns, operated by Regis Aged Care Pty Ltd.

Provider website →

Note: AIHW Aged Care Service List 30 June 2025 (gen-agedcaredata.gov.au). ACQSC star rating, published RAD price, founding year and per-facility ACQSC rating unverified for this entry pending MyAgedCare cross-check.

Bupa Cairns

Private (for-profit) Mooroobool

Bupa Cairns operates as a privately-held for-profit operator in Mooroobool, Cairns. 151 approved beds.

ACQSC rating

Not yet rated

Beds

151

Basic daily fee

$66.8/day

RAD from

Not published

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

Best for: Carers needing short-stay respite for a family member

151-bed privately operated residential aged-care home in Cairns, operated by Bupa Aged Care Australia Pty Ltd.

Provider website →

Infinite Care Edmonton Gardens

Private (for-profit) Dementia-specific Palliative care Edmonton

Infinite Care Edmonton Gardens, in Edmonton, is a privately-held for-profit operator. 148 approved beds. Dementia-specific care available.

ACQSC rating

Not yet rated

Beds

148

Basic daily fee

$66.80/day

RAD from

Not published

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

Specialty programs: Dementia.

Best for: Families needing secure dementia-specific care

Private residential aged-care home in Edmonton, Cairns. Specialist programs: Dementia.

1800 463 468 Verify on My Aged Care ↗

Note: Sourced from the My Aged Care / ACQSC register (https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/find-a-provider/search/s6b8wn8ndr-ic-edmonton-pty-ltd/aged-care-homes/infinite-care-edmonton-gardens-kwr67dfq1q). ACQSC star ratings and RAD prices change quarterly — verify on myagedcare.gov.au before applying.

Caravonica Waters

Private (for-profit) Dementia-specific Palliative care Caravonica

Caravonica Waters (Caravonica, Cairns) is a privately-held for-profit operator. 144 approved beds. Dementia-specific care available.

ACQSC rating

Not yet rated

Beds

144

Basic daily fee

$158/day

RAD from

$759k

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

Specialty programs: Dementia.

Best for: Families needing secure dementia-specific care

Private residential aged-care home in Caravonica, Cairns. Specialist programs: Dementia.

1800 463 468

Note: Sourced from the My Aged Care / ACQSC register (https://www.caringco.com.au/providers/caravonica-waters). ACQSC star ratings and RAD prices change quarterly — verify on myagedcare.gov.au before applying.

Bupa Mount Sheridan

Private (for-profit) Dementia-specific Palliative care White Rock

Bupa Mount Sheridan runs a privately-held for-profit operator from White Rock. 125 approved beds. Dementia-specific care available.

ACQSC rating

Not yet rated

Beds

125

Basic daily fee

$66.80/day

RAD from

Not published

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

Specialty programs: Dementia.

Best for: Families needing secure dementia-specific care

Private residential aged-care home in White Rock, Cairns. Specialist programs: Dementia.

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

Kewarra Beach Aged Care

Private (for-profit) Dementia-specific Palliative care Kewarra Beach

Kewarra Beach Aged Care operates as a privately-held for-profit operator in Kewarra Beach, Cairns. 94 approved beds. Dementia-specific care available.

ACQSC rating

Not yet rated

Beds

Basic daily fee

$131/day

RAD from

$600k

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

Specialty programs: Dementia.

Best for: Families needing secure dementia-specific care

Private residential aged-care home in Kewarra Beach, Cairns. Specialist programs: Dementia.

07 4242 2000

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

Mercy Place Cairns (Bethlehem)

Not-for-profit (community) Westcourt

Mercy Place Cairns (Bethlehem), in Westcourt, is a community-owned not-for-profit aged-care provider. 91 approved beds.

ACQSC rating

Not yet rated

Beds

Basic daily fee

$66.8/day

RAD from

Not published

Services: Residential aged care.

Best for: Families preferring community-owned over corporate operators

91-bed charitable not-for-profit residential aged-care home in Cairns, operated by Mercy Aged and Community Care Ltd.

Blue Care Hollingsworth Elders Village

Not-for-profit (faith-based) Cairns

Blue Care Hollingsworth Elders Village (Cairns, Cairns) is a faith-based not-for-profit aged-care provider. 42 approved beds.

ACQSC rating

Not yet rated

Beds

Basic daily fee

$66.8/day

RAD from

Not published

Services: Residential aged care.

Best for: Families wanting a faith-aligned not-for-profit

42-bed faith-based residential aged-care home in Cairns, operated by The Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust (Q.).

Kubirri Residential Care Centre

Not-for-profit (faith-based) Mossman

Kubirri Residential Care Centre runs a faith-based not-for-profit aged-care provider from Mossman. 42 approved beds.

ACQSC rating

Not yet rated

Beds

Basic daily fee

$66.8/day

RAD from

Not published

Services: Residential aged care.

Best for: Families wanting a faith-aligned not-for-profit

42-bed faith-based residential aged-care home in Cairns, operated by The Salvation Army (Queensland) Property Trust.

Bolton Clarke Farnorha

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

Bolton Clarke Farnorha operates as a community-owned not-for-profit aged-care provider in Westcourt, Cairns. Dementia-specific care available.

ACQSC rating

Not yet rated

Beds

Not stated

Basic daily fee

$66.80/day

RAD from

$500k

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

Specialty programs: Dementia, Veterans.

Best for: Families needing secure dementia-specific care

Community not-for-profit residential aged-care home in Westcourt, Cairns. Specialist programs: Dementia, Veterans.

07 4052 9900

Note: Sourced from the My Aged Care / ACQSC register (https://www.boltonclarke.com.au/living-options/residential-aged-care/farnorha/). ACQSC star ratings and RAD prices change quarterly — verify on myagedcare.gov.au before applying.

Aged Care in Cairns, side by side · Click any header to sort
Provider ⇅	Suburb ⇅	Ownership ⇅	ACQSC ⇅	Beds ⇅	Daily fee from ⇅
Regis Whitfield	Whitfield	ASX-listed	4/5	129	$132
Regis Redlynch	Redlynch	Private	Not yet rated	194	$66.8
Bupa Cairns	Mooroobool	Private	Not yet rated	151	$66.8
Infinite Care Edmonton Gardens	Edmonton	Private	Not yet rated	148	On enquiry
Caravonica Waters	Caravonica	Private	Not yet rated	144	$158
Bupa Mount Sheridan	White Rock	Private	Not yet rated	125	On enquiry
Kewarra Beach Aged Care	Kewarra Beach	Private	Not yet rated	94	$131
Mercy Place Cairns (Bethlehem)	Westcourt	NFP (community)	Not yet rated	91	$66.8
Blue Care Hollingsworth Elders Village	Cairns	NFP (faith)	Not yet rated	42	$66.8
Kubirri Residential Care Centre	Mossman	NFP (faith)	Not yet rated	42	$66.8
Bolton Clarke Farnorha	Westcourt	NFP (community)	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 Cairns, by band

Premium · $750k+

1 home — e.g. Caravonica Waters

Upper · $550k–750k

2 homes — e.g. Regis Whitfield, Kewarra Beach Aged Care

Mid-range · $400k–550k

1 home — e.g. Bolton Clarke Farnorha

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

Cairns aged care by type of care

Dementia & memory care in Cairns

Respite care in Cairns

Palliative care in Cairns

Cairns aged care: not-for-profit vs private

Not-for-profit aged care in Cairns

Private & listed operators in Cairns

Aged-care homes in Cairns, by suburb

Suburb	Homes	ACQSC
Westcourt	Mercy Place Cairns (Bethlehem), Bolton Clarke Farnorha	—
Whitfield	Regis Whitfield	4★
Redlynch	Regis Redlynch	—
Mooroobool	Bupa Cairns	—
Edmonton	Infinite Care Edmonton Gardens	—
Caravonica	Caravonica Waters	—
White Rock	Bupa Mount Sheridan	—
Kewarra Beach	Kewarra Beach Aged Care	—

How we rank aged care in Cairns

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 Cairns 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.

Common questions

FAQs: aged care in Cairns

Where can I find genuine reviews of Cairns 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 Cairns 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 Cairns 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 Cairns?

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 Cairns?

Among the Cairns aged-care homes we list with a published price, Refundable Accommodation Deposits (RADs) centre around $608,000, 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 Cairns aged-care homes offer dementia care?

Cairns homes we cover with dementia or secure memory support include Regis Redlynch, Bupa Cairns, Infinite Care Edmonton Gardens, Caravonica Waters. 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

Best aged care in Adelaide

Best aged care in Hobart

TAS

Best aged care in Canberra

ACT

Best aged care in Darwin

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 →

Best Aged Care in Cairns, 2026

Which is the best aged care in Cairns?

★Key takeaways

11 Verified Aged Care in Cairns, Ranked

Aged-care RAD prices in Cairns, by band

Cairns aged care by type of care

Cairns aged care: not-for-profit vs private

Aged-care homes in Cairns, by suburb

How we rank aged care in Cairns

Get a free shortlist of aged-care homes that fit

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FAQs: aged care in Cairns

Other aged care city rankings