When a residents may move
Residents may move rooms or move aged care homes for 3 reasons:
- moving rooms within the same aged care home
- permanently moving to another aged care home
- temporary relocation to another aged care home.
Moving rooms within the same aged care home
A resident can choose to move rooms. There are also times when their provider can ask them to move rooms.
In all cases, the provider must discuss the move with the resident and update their accommodation agreement, and fees if required.
A resident may move rooms within the same aged care home if:
- they request it
- they are consulted and agree to move rooms
- an Aged Care Assessor or at least 2 eligible health practitioners decide it’s necessary for medical reasons
- they were receiving care under a specialist dementia care program (SDCP) agreement and it is determined they can transition to a less intensive care setting
- their room requires repairs or improvements and the resident has the right to return to it once work is complete;
- there is an emergency situation, such as an infectious disease outbreak, a natural disaster or the individual is compromising the safety of other residents.
These conditions must be included in the resident’s accommodation agreement.
Charging for the new room
If the room a resident moves to would normally cost more, they may not always have to pay the higher cost.
A resident cannot be asked to pay a higher accommodation cost if:
- the move is not voluntary
- they are on pre 1 July 2014 accommodation arrangements
- they are on 1 July 2014 accommodation arrangements or post 1 November 2025 accommodation arrangements and pay an accommodation contribution.
If the move is voluntary and the resident agrees, the provider may charge a new room price, up to the published maximum for that room on the day the accommodation agreement is varied for the move.
Updating the accommodation agreement
The provider must update the resident’s accommodation agreement with the new room services and fee arrangements.
If the new room costs more, the resident may choose to pay the difference as:
- a lump sum – refundable accommodation deposit (RAD)
- daily rental-style payments – daily accommodation payment (DAP)
- a combination of both.
Find out how to calculate a DAP.
If the new room costs less and the resident has paid a RAD, the provider must refund the excess.
Moving to another aged care home
Residents can choose to move to another aged care home, if they are offered a place there. This could be for a number of reasons, including being closer to family or that home can better meet their care needs.
What providers should do
Once a resident has let you know of their plans to move to a new home, you should work with them to make this transition as smooth as possible. If you have set processes for moves, you should tell the resident these upfront. You should also talk to them and the new provider about a move date.
Once a move date has been agreed, you should help the resident to pack up their belongings and talk to the new aged care home about how these will be transferred. You have a duty of care to make sure the resident’s move to the new home is safe and comfortable.
If you are the provider accepting a resident that is moving from another home, you should ensure they are treated the same as any other new resident.
Managing fees when a resident moves to a new home
A resident’s fees may change if they move permanently to another aged care home. You should advise residents to update their financial details with Services Australia or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs to ensure they pay the right amount at their new home.
When a resident moves permanently to another aged care home, they need to:
- enter into a new service agreement with their new provider
- enter into a new accommodation agreement and agree on an accommodation price before entering the new home
- get a new means assessment, as their income and assets at date of entry will determine their means status (type of accommodation costs) at the new home.
Providers must refund the refundable deposit balance of a resident who moves out of their aged care home.
Temporary relocation to another aged care home
A resident may need to be involuntarily moved from your aged care home for a short period of time if you are unable to care for them. This could be because you need to repair or improve their room, or in the event of a natural disaster or other emergency.
The resident can be temporarily relocated to another registered residential aged care home without being discharged from your home.
However, your responsibilities for the resident do not transfer to the new provider. You continue to be responsible for the care of the resident under aged care legislation.
What providers should do
Keep the resident admitted to your service during the temporary relocation. This makes the process less disruptive for the resident and makes it easier to manage fees and funding.
The temporary service provider should not admit the relocated resident through the aged care payment system. Instead, you should negotiate financial arrangements with the temporary provider to give them the funding needed to deliver the required care and services for the resident. This can be done with a brokerage arrangement or another type of financial reimbursement arrangement.
For more information talk to your Department of Health, Disability and Ageing state or territory office.
Managing fees and funding during temporary relocations
As long as a resident is not discharged from your aged care home:
- you continue to receive subsidies and supplements on behalf of the resident (including any applicable hardship supplement)
- the resident continues to pay their agreed residential care fees to you
- you provide funding to the temporary provider as per your agreed arrangements so they can care for the resident
- the temporary provider cannot charge fees directly to the resident
- the resident does not need a new service or accommodation agreement
- you do not need to vary the service or accommodation agreement
- the resident does not require a new means assessment
- you or the temporary provider cannot charge additional fees to the resident.
Security of tenure
The relocated resident has the right to return to their room once you can care for them again. You cannot give the room to a new resident or charge the resident additional fees to reserve their room.
Assistance for providers
Your Department of Health, Disability and Ageing state or territory office can assist you in the administrative process of relocating residents, including determining service vacancies.