Note: Home Care Packages were replaced by the Support at Home program from November 2025. References to Home Care Packages in this guide now apply to Support at Home.

If you are a pensioner with no assets, you can still access aged care in Australia. The government funds accommodation costs and limits fees for pensioners who have minimal financial resources.

This guide explains the exact steps to access government-funded aged care in 2026, what you will actually pay (usually just the basic daily fee), and how the means test works when you have no assets.

Can You Get Aged Care With No Assets?

Yes. The Australian Government has built the aged care system so that every older Australian can receive care, regardless of their financial situation. If you are a pensioner with no assets, you are classified as a fully supported resident. This means:

  • The government pays your accommodation costs in full
  • You pay only the basic daily fee (a fixed amount everyone pays)
  • You will not pay a means-tested care fee if your income is at or below the full pension rate
  • Financial hardship provisions exist as a safety net if you struggle with even the basic daily fee

There are no changes to these protections in 2026. The basic daily fee remains at 85% of the single basic Age Pension rate, and the fully supported resident classification continues to apply to pensioners with no assessable assets.

Estimate your costs: Use our free Aged Care Fees Calculator to see how fees are calculated based on your income and assets.

How the Means Test Works When You Have No Assets

The means test determines how much you contribute toward your care. It is conducted by Services Australia (Centrelink) and looks at two things: your income and your assets.

Income test

For pensioners with no assets, the means test focuses entirely on your income. This includes:

  • Your Age Pension payments
  • Any other government payments you receive
  • Income from superannuation (if applicable)
  • Any other regular income (such as a small annuity)

If your only income is the full Age Pension, you will pay only the basic daily fee. No additional means-tested care fee will apply.

Asset test

Assets that are assessed include savings, investments, property (other than your principal home in some cases), and personal belongings over a certain threshold. If you have no assessable assets, this part of the test results in a nil contribution.

Important: If you are entering residential care and you own your home, the home may be excluded from the asset test for a period if your spouse or dependent still lives there. If no one lives in the home, it may be counted as an asset after a certain period. Contact Services Australia on 132 300 to clarify your specific situation.

What “fully supported” means

When the means test determines that you cannot afford accommodation costs, you are classified as a fully supported resident. This status means:

  • The government pays your accommodation costs directly to the aged care provider
  • You do not need to pay a Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD) or Daily Accommodation Payment (DAP)
  • Your only required payment is the basic daily fee

This classification applies automatically based on your means test result. You do not need to apply separately for it.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Get Care as a Pensioner With No Assets

The process is managed through My Aged Care and Services Australia. Here is how it works from start to finish.

Step 1: Contact My Aged Care

Call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or visit the My Aged Care website to register and request an assessment. You can also ask a family member, carer, or GP to make the call on your behalf.

During the initial phone call, a staff member will:

  • Confirm your personal details and Medicare number
  • Ask about your current living situation
  • Discuss what daily activities you need help with
  • Determine whether you need a home support assessment or a comprehensive assessment

This phone screening typically takes 10 to 15 minutes.

Step 2: Complete Your Care Assessment

Depending on your needs, you will receive one of two assessment types:

Home Support Assessment - for people who need lower-level support. This is conducted by a Regional Assessment Service (RAS) assessor and may be done by phone or in your home.

Comprehensive Assessment - for people with more complex needs or who may require a Support at Home package (formerly Home Care Package) or residential care. This is conducted by an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) member, usually through a home visit.

The assessor will look at:

  • Your physical health and mobility
  • Your cognitive function and mental health
  • Your daily living activities (cooking, cleaning, personal care)
  • Your social situation and support network
  • Your home environment and safety

The assessment is free and focuses on your care needs, not your finances.

After your care assessment, Services Australia will send you a means test form. For pensioners with no assets, this process is straightforward because:

  • Your pension details are already in the Centrelink system
  • You simply confirm that you have no additional assets or income
  • The assessment typically results in “fully supported” status

You can complete the form online through myGov, by phone on 132 300, or at a Services Australia office. If you do not complete the means test, you may be charged the maximum fee by default, so it is important to submit this form promptly.

Step 4: Understand Your Approval Letter

Once both assessments are complete, you will receive an approval letter from My Aged Care. This letter confirms:

  • The type of care you have been approved for (home care, residential care, or both)
  • Your assigned Support at Home classification level (if applicable)
  • Any priority rating for residential care placement

Keep this letter safe. You will need it when approaching aged care providers.

Step 5: Find a Provider

With your approval in hand, you can start searching for a provider. You have several options:

  • Use the My Aged Care Find a Provider tool
  • Contact providers directly in your area
  • Call MD Home Care on 1800 953 253 to get connected with providers who work with government-funded pensioners

When choosing a provider, ask about:

  • Whether they accept fully supported residents
  • Wait times for placement or package activation
  • The specific services included in your package or residential placement
  • Any additional charges beyond the basic daily fee

Not all providers have vacancies for fully supported residents, so contacting multiple providers gives you the best chance of finding a place that suits your needs.

What You Will Actually Pay: Fee Breakdown for Pensioners

Even with no assets, you will be asked to contribute to your care costs. Here is a clear breakdown of what applies to you.

Basic daily fee

The basic daily fee is the only fee that every aged care recipient pays, regardless of their financial situation. It cannot be waived.

Care typeBasic daily fee (2026)How it is calculated
Residential careApproximately $61.96 per day85% of single basic Age Pension
Support at HomeUp to $12.51 per day17.5% of single basic Age Pension

This fee is deducted from your Support at Home budget (for home care) or paid directly to the residential facility.

Means-tested care fee

If your only income is the full Age Pension and you have no assets, you will not pay a means-tested care fee. This fee only applies to people whose income and assets exceed certain thresholds.

If you do have a small amount of additional income (such as a modest superannuation stream), you may pay a small means-tested care fee. Annual and lifetime caps apply to protect you from excessive costs. For a detailed explanation of how this fee works, read our means-tested care fee guide.

Accommodation costs

As a fully supported resident, the government pays your accommodation costs in full. You will not be asked to pay:

  • A Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD)
  • A Daily Accommodation Payment (DAP)
  • Any combination of both

This is the single biggest financial benefit for pensioners with no assets. Accommodation costs in residential aged care can exceed $300,000 as a lump sum or $80 per day, so having these covered by the government represents significant support.

Extra and additional services

Some residential aged care homes offer extra services (such as premium meals, larger rooms, or Foxtel). These are optional and come with additional charges. As a fully supported resident, you are not required to purchase extra services, and your standard of care must be the same whether or not you pay for them.

Home Care vs Residential Care: Which Is Right for You?

As a pensioner with no assets, you can access either home care or residential care depending on your assessed needs.

Home care

Home care allows you to stay in your own home while receiving support. You may be approved for a Support at Home package (formerly Home Care Package) at one of four levels:

  • Level 1 - Basic care needs (approximately $10,800 per year in funding)
  • Level 2 - Low-level care needs (approximately $19,000 per year)
  • Level 3 - Intermediate care needs (approximately $41,500 per year)
  • Level 4 - High-level care needs (approximately $59,500 per year)

The government pays the package funding directly to your chosen provider. Your contribution is limited to the basic daily fee, which is deducted from your package budget.

Home care services can include personal care, cleaning, meal preparation, transport, nursing, and allied health. Visit our aged care hub to learn more about the types of support available.

Residential care

Residential aged care (nursing homes) provides 24-hour care and accommodation. As a fully supported resident with no assets:

  • The government pays your accommodation and most care costs
  • You pay only the basic daily fee (approximately $61.96 per day)
  • You receive the same quality of care as self-funded residents

You can request a specific facility, but placement depends on availability. Your ACAT approval letter may include a priority rating if your needs are urgent.

Financial Hardship Provisions

If you are struggling to pay even the basic daily fee, financial hardship provisions are available. These provisions exist specifically to ensure that no one is denied care due to inability to pay.

How to apply for financial hardship assistance

  1. Speak with your aged care provider first. Many providers can arrange payment plans or temporarily reduce fees
  2. Contact Services Australia on 132 300 and ask about aged care financial hardship assistance
  3. Complete the financial hardship application form
  4. Provide evidence of your financial situation (pension statements, bank statements)

What hardship assistance covers

Financial hardship provisions can:

  • Reduce or temporarily waive the basic daily fee
  • Cover any means-tested care fee that has been assessed
  • Provide temporary relief while your financial situation is reviewed

Hardship assistance is reviewed periodically, and you may need to reapply. However, you will not be removed from care while an application is being processed.

Your Rights as a Pensioner in Aged Care

Every person in aged care has the same rights, regardless of how their care is funded. The Charter of Aged Care Rights sets out 14 rights that all providers must uphold.

Key rights for pensioners with no assets include:

  • Right to quality care - Your care must meet the same standards as privately funded residents
  • Right to dignity and respect - Your financial situation must not affect how you are treated
  • Right to information - You must be told about all fees, services, and any changes
  • Right to complain - You can raise concerns without fear of losing your care placement

If you believe your rights are not being met, contact the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission on 1800 951 822.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get aged care if I only receive the Age Pension?

Yes. The Age Pension is sufficient to cover the basic daily fee, which is the only fee you will pay as a pensioner with no assets. The fee is set at 85% of the single basic Age Pension rate, meaning it is specifically designed to be affordable for full pensioners.

What happens to my pension when I enter residential care?

Your Age Pension continues when you enter residential care. However, you may lose Rent Assistance if you were receiving it, and your payment rate may be adjusted. Contact Services Australia before entering care to understand how your payments will change.

Can my family be asked to pay for my care?

No. The aged care means test only considers your own income and assets. Your children, siblings, or other family members have no legal obligation to contribute to your care costs. The system assesses each person individually.

How long is the wait for a Support at Home package?

Wait times vary depending on the package level and your location. As of early 2026, wait times range from 1 to 3 months for lower-level packages, and 3 to 6 months for higher-level packages. Priority is given to people with urgent needs. You can receive Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) services while waiting.

What if I own a car or have a small amount of savings?

Small assets such as a car, basic furniture, and modest savings may not significantly affect your means test result. The asset test has threshold amounts below which no additional fees apply. The means test considers the overall picture of your finances, and having a small amount of savings does not automatically mean you will lose fully supported status. Use our aged care fees calculator to estimate your specific situation.

Am I a burden on my family by accessing aged care?

No. The Australian aged care system is funded through general taxation and is designed so that older Australians can access care without relying on family finances. Seeking care is about ensuring your health, safety, and quality of life. More than 1.3 million Australians access aged care services each year, and the system exists specifically to support people in your situation.

Get Connected With the Right Provider

Navigating aged care as a pensioner with no assets does not have to be stressful. The key steps are straightforward: contact My Aged Care, complete your assessments, and find a provider that accepts fully supported residents.

MD Home Care is a connection platform that helps pensioners find compassionate aged care providers who understand government-funded care. Whether you need a Support at Home package to stay at home or a residential placement, we can connect you with providers in your area.

Call MD Home Care on 1800 953 253 to speak with someone who can help you find the right provider for your needs. You can also visit our aged care page to learn more about the types of support available.

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