Changing aged care homes
If the home isn't working out, moving is possible. Here is what to try first, how a move works, and what happens to the deposit and the fees.
Can you move a parent to a different aged care home?
Yes. A resident can move to another home. They need a room at the new home, a new accommodation agreement and a new means assessment. Check the current agreement for the notice it asks for. The notice also sets when a refundable lump sum is paid back: with more than 14 days' notice, on the day they leave. Before moving, raise the problem with the home, and talk to OPAN (1800 700 600), which is free.
First: can the problem be fixed?
Moving is hard on an older person, so it is worth one serious attempt to fix things where they are, unless they are unsafe.
- Raise it with the home, with the manager, then in writing. Homes must have a system for handling complaints and must respond. Ask for a care plan review and a date to follow up.
- Get an advocate. OPAN offers free, independent advocacy: 1800 700 600 (Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm, Saturday 10am to 4pm). In Victoria, its member is Elder Rights Australia ((03) 9602 3066).
- Complain to the Commission if it isn't resolved: the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, 1800 951 822 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm) or online.
- If you suspect abuse or neglect, call the Elder Abuse Phone Line on 1800 353 374, or 000 if someone is in danger.
Our guide to the first 30 days covers what is normal while someone settles, and the red flags.
How a move works
- Find a home with a room. Shortlist, check the Star Ratings and sub-ratings, tour, and ask each home whether it can offer a room and when.
- Agree the room price with the new home. It can't be more than the home's published price for that room, and you can ask the home about it. A lump sum can be paid at any time after moving in once the means assessment is finalised; until then the room is paid daily.
- Get a new means assessment. Moving to a new home needs one, and the person's low means status and the type of accommodation cost can change as a result.
- Give notice and plan the date (below), so the refund from the old home lines up with the payment to the new one where possible.
- Sign the new agreement and update Services Australia about any lump sum paid, within 28 days.
If they moved into care before 1 November 2025
They stay on the older fee arrangements when they move, unless they choose to opt in to the 1 November 2025 arrangements (form AC022, which can't be reversed) or leave care for more than 28 days, not counting approved leave. Under the older arrangements, the newer rules on lump sum retention and daily payment indexation don't apply to them. Opting in is a financial decision; the Financial Information Service (132 300) or a licensed adviser can help.
Notice to the current home
We could not find a single notice period that the government sets for residents leaving a home. Check the accommodation agreement, and any other agreement with the home, for what it says about leaving, and give notice in writing with the planned date. If the agreement is unclear, ask the home to confirm in writing, or ask OPAN for help.
When the deposit is paid back
For a resident moving to another home, the notice given decides when a refundable lump sum (a RAD or RAC, or an older accommodation bond for people who entered care before 1 July 2014) must be refunded:
| Notice given to the current home | Lump sum balance must be refunded |
|---|---|
| More than 14 days | On the day the person leaves |
| Up to 14 days | Within 14 days after the day notice is given |
| No notice | Within 14 days after the day the person leaves |
The amount refunded is the lump sum less any retention (for people who first moved in from 1 November 2025, 2% a year for up to 5 years) and any amounts agreed to be deducted. Interest is paid at the base interest rate during the refund period, and at the higher MPIR if the home is late. If a provider becomes insolvent and can't refund, the Australian Government repays the lump sum under its accommodation payment scheme. Concerns about a refund can go to the home's manager and then the Commission.
How we can help
We work for the family and charge families directly; aged care homes pay us nothing. Prices include GST and are our launch prices.
- Hourly help: $125 per hour, in 15-minute units. Help preparing a complaint, a family meeting with the home, working out the notice and refund timing, or questions about fees. You can also have a free OPAN advocate.
- Agreement walk-through: $395. If you have found the next home: help discussing the room price with the home (the agreed price can't be more than its published price) and a plain-English walk-through of the agreement.
- Full placement: $1,950 in Melbourne, $1,450 elsewhere. We look for homes with a room that suits, book the tours (and come with you in Melbourne), and help with the paperwork and the move.
We don't give financial or legal advice, and we can't reserve a room or promise a move-in date: each home decides who it offers a place to. All prices and terms.
Questions about changing homes
Can my parent move to a different aged care home?
Yes. A resident can leave one home and move to another. They need a home with a room for them, a new accommodation agreement with that home, and a new means assessment from Services Australia. It helps to try to resolve the problem first, because moving is a big change for the person.
How much notice do we have to give the current home?
We could not find a single notice period set by the government for residents. Check the accommodation agreement and any other agreement with the home for what it says about leaving, and give notice in writing. The notice you give also decides when a refundable lump sum must be paid back.
When is the refundable deposit paid back if we move?
If you give more than 14 days' notice of moving to another home, the balance must be refunded on the day the person leaves. With up to 14 days' notice, within 14 days after the notice is given. With no notice, within 14 days after the day they leave. Interest is paid at the base interest rate during that period, and at the higher MPIR if the refund is late.
Will the fees change at the new home?
They can. A move to a new home needs a new means assessment, and the person's low means status and the type of accommodation cost they pay may change. The room price is agreed afresh with the new home. Someone who moved into care before 1 November 2025 keeps the older fee arrangements on a move unless they opt in to the new ones or leave care for more than 28 days (not counting approved leave).
Who can help if we are unhappy with the home?
Raise it with the home first, in writing. The Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) offers free, independent advocacy on 1800 700 600, and the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission takes complaints on 1800 951 822. If you suspect abuse, call the Elder Abuse Phone Line on 1800 353 374.
Can you help us move homes?
Yes. We charge families directly, never homes. Our hourly help is $125 per hour, in 15-minute units, including GST, for things like a complaint, a family meeting or a fee question. If a move is the answer, our full placement service finds homes with a room, books tours and handles the paperwork: $1,950 in Melbourne or $1,450 elsewhere, including GST. See pricing.
Sources
- Aged care home accommodation refunds, including notice periods when moving (My Aged Care)
- Aged care home costs and fees, including means status when moving (My Aged Care)
- Aged care costs if you entered care between 2014 and 2025, including moving and opting in (My Aged Care)
- Understanding aged care home accommodation costs (My Aged Care)
- Your rights under the Aged Care Act (Department of Health, Disability and Ageing)
- Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN)
- Make a complaint (Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission)
Last reviewed October 2026. Fee figures are as at 20 September 2026 unless another date is shown next to them. General information only, not financial, legal or medical advice. We are not a government service. How we check our facts.
Tell us what's happening at the current home
We're opening soon. We're not taking clients yet. Leave your details and we'll contact you when our Melbourne service opens. If you need help today, call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422, and if the person is in hospital, ask for the social worker or discharge planner.