Additional service fees (ASF) are increasingly being utilised by residential aged care providers as a way to enhance their service offering and diversify revenue streams. By agreement with the resident, an aged care provider can charge an additional fee for care and services over and above those that they are required to supply under aged care legislation (Quality of Care Principles 2014 Schedule 1 – Care and services for residential care services).
Typical examples of services that can attract ASF include pay TV, hairdressing, alcohol, access to an onsite pool, gym or movie theatre. Multiple services are often provided as a package.
There is a lack of clarity and transparency for both providers and residents in relation to ASF.
ASF also exist within home care, however, these fees operate in a different context and are not being considered as part of this consultation.
This consultation seeks feedback on a number of proposals designed to provide greater certainty, transparency, consumer choice and protection, through:
Further details on the proposed publishing requirements are contained in the attached consultation paper.
The Department seeks submissions responses to the attached consultation paper by 17 December 2019. Feedback can be sent by email to AgedCareFeesandPayments@health.gov.au or by post to:
The Director
Aged Care Fees
Department of Health
MDP465
GPO Box 9848
Canberra ACT 2601
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