Head-to-head · 2026
Calvary Cessnock Retirement Community vs Tingira Hills Care Community
Side-by-side comparison: ACQSC rating, beds, ownership, RAD prices, services and special-needs care. Both in Newcastle. Sourced from the AIHW Aged Care Service List and provider websites. Verified 11 June 2026.
At a glance
The headline differences
- Both homes are in Newcastle.
- Ownership differs: Calvary Cessnock Retirement Community is not-for-profit-community; Tingira Hills Care Community is for-profit-private.
- Size difference: Calvary Cessnock Retirement Community has 296 beds; Tingira Hills Care Community has 182. Tingira Hills Care Community is the smaller, often more intimate home.
Comparison
Side-by-side
| Metric | Calvary Cessnock Retirement Community | Tingira Hills Care Community |
|---|---|---|
| City / suburb | Cessnock | Mount Hutton |
| Provider entity | Calvary Aged Care Limited | DPG Services Pty Ltd |
| Ownership | not-for-profit-community | for-profit-private |
| ACQSC star rating | – | – |
| Beds | 296 | 182 |
| Max RAD | not published | not published |
| Basic daily fee | $66.8/day | $66.8/day |
| Services | Residential aged care, Dementia-specific, Respite, Palliative | Residential aged care, Dementia-specific, Respite |
| Special needs | – | – |
| Founded | – | – |
Provider details sourced from AIHW Aged Care Service List 30 June 2025. ACQSC star ratings + published RAD prices vary; cross-check at myagedcare.gov.au on the day you tour. Basic daily fee is federally regulated at $66.80/day (March 2026).
Calvary Cessnock Retirement Community
Standout strengths
- ›296-bed charitable not-for-profit residential aged-care home in Newcastle, operated by Calvary Aged Care Limited.
Calvary Aged Care Limited is a not-for-profit community aged-care provider operating Calvary Cessnock Retirement Community (Cessnock), Newcastle. Services include residential aged care, dementia-specific, respite, palliative.
See full profile →Tingira Hills Care Community
Standout strengths
- ›182-bed privately operated residential aged-care home in Newcastle, operated by DPG Services Pty Ltd.
DPG Services Pty Ltd is a privately operated aged-care provider operating Tingira Hills Care Community (Mount Hutton), Newcastle. Services include residential aged care, dementia-specific, respite.
See full profile →Common questions
FAQs
Which home rates higher, Calvary Cessnock Retirement Community or Tingira Hills Care Community?
Verified ACQSC star rating is not available for at least one of these homes in our data. The authoritative live rating is at myagedcare.gov.au, updated quarterly by the ACQSC. We always recommend cross-checking on the day you tour.
What is the ownership difference between Calvary Cessnock Retirement Community and Tingira Hills Care Community?
Calvary Cessnock Retirement Community is operated by a not-for-profit-community entity (Calvary Aged Care Limited). Tingira Hills Care Community is operated by a for-profit-private entity (DPG Services Pty Ltd). Not-for-profit faith-based and community providers reinvest all surplus into care; private-for-profit operators distribute surplus to shareholders. ACQSC data shows no consistent quality gap between ownership types – performance varies more within ownership categories than between them.
How do the room costs compare?
Maximum published RAD: Calvary Cessnock Retirement Community not published; Tingira Hills Care Community not published. Both homes also charge the federally regulated basic daily fee of $66.80/day (March 2026) plus a means-tested care fee based on income and assets. The RAD can be paid as a lump sum, an equivalent Daily Accommodation Payment (DAP) at the Maximum Permissible Interest Rate, or a combination.
Do both offer dementia-specific or palliative care?
Calvary Cessnock Retirement Community: Residential aged care, Dementia-specific, Respite, Palliative. Tingira Hills Care Community: Residential aged care, Dementia-specific, Respite. Even where neither lists dementia-specific as a discrete service, most Australian residential homes provide care for residents with cognitive decline within mainstream wings. For palliative pathways, confirm 24/7 registered-nurse coverage – essential for symptom management at end of life.
How do I choose between them?
Tour both at least twice (once at meal time, once mid-afternoon). Ask about 24/7 registered-nurse coverage, care minutes per resident per day (federal target is 215, including 44 minutes RN time), the latest ACQSC accreditation report, staff retention, and current waitlist. Then talk to current residents families – they are the most honest reference. A free placement consultant can also identify which has current vacancies and negotiate RAD.
Next step
Estimate the full cost of either home
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