Respite care: a short stay in an aged care home
For a carer who needs a break, a parent recovering after hospital, or a family trying a home before deciding. Here's how residential respite works, what it costs and how to find a bed on your dates.
How does residential respite care work in Australia?
Residential respite is a short stay in an aged care home. It needs an aged care assessment approving it, and you can use up to 63 subsidised days a financial year. The cost is the basic daily fee only, up to $68.93 a day (as at 20 September 2026), with no means test and no room payment. You book directly with homes that have respite beds.
Who respite is for
- Carers who need a break, for a holiday, their own health, or simply rest.
- Recovery after hospital, when someone isn't ready to go home yet.
- A trial, to see how a person settles in a particular home before a permanent decision.
- An emergency, when a carer suddenly can't continue. Carer Gateway can help on 1800 422 737.
How to book residential respite
- Make sure the aged care assessment approves residential respite. Request one through My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 if needed.
- Find homes that offer respite. On My Aged Care, filter the home search for respite. Our respite homes list shows homes in our data that offer it.
- Ring the homes with your dates. Respite beds are limited, so flexible dates help.
- Agree the booking and the respite agreement with the home. Check the booking fee and what happens if plans change.
Source: My Aged Care: respite care; short-term care costs.
What respite costs
| Basic daily fee | $68.93 a day |
|---|---|
| Two weeks of respite | about $965 |
| Means-tested contributions | None |
| Room payment | None |
As at 20 September 2026. Homes may charge for optional extras you agree to. Booking fee: The lower of one week of fees or 25% of the fee for the whole stay, deducted from fees on entry, refundable if cancelled more than 7 days before.
Help finding a respite bed
We ring homes to find respite beds on your dates, check the booking fee and the agreement, and help with the forms. Respite placement: $450 in Melbourne, $350 outside Melbourne. If you go on to book a permanent placement with us within six months, the full respite fee comes off.
Respite questions
How much does residential respite cost?
Only the basic daily fee: up to $68.93 a day as at 20 September 2026 (about $965 for two weeks). There is no means test and no room payment for respite. Homes may ask for a booking fee: The lower of one week of fees or 25% of the fee for the whole stay, deducted from fees on entry, refundable if cancelled more than 7 days before.
How many days of respite can we have?
Up to 63 subsidised days in a financial year, counting planned and emergency respite together. It can be extended by 21 days at a time with the approval of an assessor.
Do we need an aged care assessment first?
Usually yes: respite needs an assessment that approves it. In an emergency, a person may be able to enter respite before the assessment, with the home arranging an urgent one. Carer Gateway can help with emergency respite on 1800 422 737.
Can respite turn into a permanent place?
Often, yes. Many families use respite as a trial. If the person settles and the home has or expects a permanent vacancy, it can be arranged, subject to the assessment approving permanent care. If you use our respite placement and then book a permanent placement within six months, the respite fee comes off.
Why is respite hard to find?
Respite beds are limited and many homes run close to full. Nationally, the median time from applying to starting residential respite was 100 days in April to June 2026, though planned bookings with flexible dates are often quicker. Ringing homes directly, which is what we do, usually turns up dates sooner than waiting.
Tell us about the respite you need
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.