Aged care eligibility: the new government policy that could deny many Australians a bed in aged care

Money

Super & retirement

Aged care

Opinion

Why this new policy could mean you miss out on aged care

Rachel Lane Money contributor September 17, 2025 — 5.01am Advertisement

For those approaching aged care, there is a common misconception that if you don’t have any money, you won’t get in. However, it’s a myth that may end up becoming a reality for some unless the government increases the accommodation supplement paid for residents of low means.

In January this year, the government lifted the market price cap – the maximum amount aged care homes can charge without seeking approval – from $550,000 to $750,000. Many homes that had set their price at the previous cap simply lifted their price to the new ceiling, with those priced somewhere in between also pulled upwards. When th