Question 1

How do I get started?

Accepted Answer

Your first step towards accessing government-subsidised permanent care is to contact My Aged Care by phone on 1800 200 422, or online at www.myagedcare.gov.au to check your eligibility and to register. A representative from the Aged Care Assessment Team in your local area will then contact you to book a meeting, to then undertake an assessment.

Question 2

Is there availability in my chosen area?

Accepted Answer

mecwacare has 19 aged care homes across metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria. We recommend you contact our friendly Admissions team on 8573 4812 or email admissions@mecwacare.org.au to talk through your options.

Question 3

How do I book a tour?

Accepted Answer

Our Admissions team is happy to arrange a tour for you. Simply phone them on 8573 4812, or email admissions@mecwacare.org.au to make an appointment. Your onsite or virtual tour will be led by the home’s Facility Manager, who will also be able to answer any questions you may have.

Question 4

How do I apply?

Accepted Answer

The following items are required when applying for placement in a mecwacare home:

My Aged Care service referral code for permanent care [i.e. 1-xxxxxxxxxx]
Application for residential care (provided by the Admissions team)
Privacy information consent statement (provided by the Admissions team)
Enduring power of attorney/guardianship order
Fees letter from Services Australia or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, if available.

Question 5

What fees will I pay?

Accepted Answer

There are three pricing components to permanent care that may be applicable. Further information about costs and fees is available through the My Aged Care website at www.myagedcare.gov.au.

All fees and charges are regulated and reviewed periodically by the Australian Government. Refer to the current schedule of fees and charges for residential care from the Department of Health for specific values.

(1) Basic daily fee (every person pays this fee)

This fee covers living expenses comparable to what a person pays at home, such as utilities, meals, cleaning and laundry.

(2) Means tested care fee (dependent on a person’s income and assets, as determined by the Australian Government)

There is daily, annual and lifetime caps in place to support a person who is required to contribute to the cost of their care.

Typically, mecwacare does not charge an interim fee upon entry while waiting for the letter from Services Australia or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. If it is likely that this fee will be applicable and the client’s choice is to commence paying from the day of entry, then mecwacare can provide an estimate to support this request. Either way, the fee will be adjusted and backdated once we receive the letter.

(3) Accommodation payment (dependent on a person’s income and assets, as determined by the Australian Government)

A person’s accommodation type will reflect one of the following three categories.

An accommodation payment (self-funded)
The agreed room price can be paid as a Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD), Daily Accommodation Payment (DAP) or as a combination of both the RAD and DAP. The DAP is the default payment method and is payable from the day of entry until the RAD is paid in full. The interest rate is set and fixed by the Australian Government from the day of entry.
An accommodation contribution (partially supported)
The contribution can be paid as a Refundable Accommodation Contribution (RAC), Daily Accommodation Contribution (DAC) or as a combination of both the RAC and DAC. The contribution amount is not fixed and may vary occasionally, as there are several variables that determine the value of the accommodation supplement paid to the care home by the Australian Government. The interest rate is set and fixed by the Australian Government from the day of entry.
No accommodation payment (fully supported)
The Australian Government will fund the person’s accommodation.

Question 6

Will I have to pay extra and additional services fees?

Accepted Answer

No. mecwacare does not hold an extra service status, meaning these ongoing fees are not applicable to our care homes. There are, however, some optional additional services that are paid for by the resident, such as hair and beauty treatments.

Question 7

Can I stay for a short time?

Accepted Answer

mecwacare offers short-term stays or respite care in all our homes. Click here to find out more.

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