Australia: federal government subsidises long term care by up to £22,000 a year

The federal government is largely responsible for funding residential care for old people in Australia, helped by a combination of flat user fees and income tested fees.

The government pays a subsidy to service providers—which include the charitable, religious, and private sectors—for each day a bed is occupied.

Care homes for elderly people (known as “aged care homes”) can receive up to $A66 000 (£25 300; $38 000; €39 000) a year to look after a high care resident, with the government paying a subsidy of up to $A57 500 and the …