What is residential respite care, and how many days can I use per year?
Residential respite is a temporary stay in an aged care home. Eligible people receive up to 63 subsidised days each financial year, with possible 21-day extensions approved by an assessor.
Key points
- The usual subsidised limit is 63 days per financial year.
- Extensions may be approved in 21-day blocks.
- Respite places depend on local availability.
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01Guide sectionWhat is residential respite care, and how many days can I use each year?
Residential respite care is a temporary stay in an aged care home.
It can give a family carer a break, provide short-term support after a change in circumstances, or help an older person experience residential care before considering a permanent move.
During the stay, the person generally receives:
accommodation and meals
laundry and everyday living services
personal care
medication assistance
nursing and other care based on their assessed needs
access to social activities provided by the home.
Residential respite can be planned in advance or arranged in an emergency.
02Guide sectionHow many days are available?
An eligible person can receive up to 63 days of government-subsidised residential respite care in each financial year, from 1 July to 30 June.
The 63-day allowance includes:
planned respite stays
emergency residential respite
days used across different aged care homes.
The days do not need to be taken all at once. For example, a person could use:
two weeks while their carer takes a holiday
several shorter stays during the year
a longer stay following illness or carer exhaustion.
Keep track of the total number of days used across all stays. Services Australia also records respite use, but its records may take time to update.
03Guide sectionCan the 63 days be extended?
Yes. An aged care assessor may approve an extension of up to 21 additional days at a time.
An extension may be considered because of:
carer stress or illness
the absence of the usual carer
changes in the older person’s needs
delays in arranging another suitable care option
other relevant personal circumstances.
If the person is already in respite, ask the aged care home to arrange the extension before the approved stay ends.
If the person has already used 63 days and is not currently in respite, contact the original assessment organisation or My Aged Care on 1800 200 422.
Without an approved extension, days beyond the subsidised allowance may need to be paid at the full private cost.
04Guide sectionHow do I become eligible?
The person normally needs an aged care assessment and approval for residential respite.
Apply through My Aged Care and explain:
why respite is needed
how much assistance the person requires
whether the usual carer is unavailable or struggling
any personal-care, mobility, medication or dementia-related needs
whether the situation is planned or urgent.
The assessment determines eligibility and the respite classification used to help the aged care home provide an appropriate level of care.
An approval does not guarantee that a room will be available. Not every aged care home offers respite, and available beds can be limited, particularly during holiday periods.
05Guide sectionWhat does residential respite cost?
Residential respite fees are different from permanent residential aged care fees.
The person may be asked to pay:
a Basic Daily Fee
a limited booking fee
optional higher everyday living fees they choose after entering care.
The current maximum Basic Daily Fee is $66.80 per day. It is set at 85% of the single basic Age Pension and is indexed in March and September.
A residential respite resident cannot be charged:
a means-tested care contribution
a Refundable Accommodation Deposit
a Daily Accommodation Payment
another residential accommodation cost.
A provider may request a booking fee, but it cannot exceed the lower of:
one week of respite fees
25% of the total fee for the booked stay.
The booking fee is credited towards the daily fees once the person enters care.
06Guide sectionPractical example
A person is approved for residential respite and books:
14 days in September
21 days in January
14 days in May.
They have used 49 of their 63 subsidised days and have 14 days remaining before 30 June.
On 1 July, a new financial-year allowance begins, provided they remain eligible.
07Guide sectionWhat if respite is needed urgently?
If a carer suddenly becomes ill, is hospitalised or can no longer provide care, contact Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737 for emergency respite assistance.
In an emergency, an aged care home may sometimes admit a person before the standard assessment is completed and help arrange an urgent assessment. Availability is not guaranteed.
The practical answer is:
08Guide sectionWhat should I do next?
Seek assessment before respite is urgently needed, identify local homes that accept respite and ask about availability, fees, medication management and what to bring.
09Guide sectionHelpful Local Home Help resources
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