One of the most common frustrations families face when organising aged care is the wait for paperwork.
You have completed the necessary assessments; found a home or Support at Home service you love and are ready to move forward. But you are told you need to wait for a letter from Services Australia to confirm your fees. This documentation can take time to arrive.
The good news is that you don’t have to pause everything while you wait. You and your loved one’s care needs are the priority, and in most cases, we can help you get started before the documentation arrives in your letterbox.
What the letter is (and what it isn't)
The letter from Services Australia is simply a financial confirmation. It determines how much the government will subsidise and what your required contribution will be based on your assets and income.
Under the most recent fee structures, this letter confirms:
- For Residential Care: Your Hotelling Contribution (daily living costs) and your Non-Clinical Care Contribution (personal care).
- For Support at Home: Your Participant Contribution.
It is important to note that , this letter is not a permission slip. Eligibility for care is determined by the Single Assessment System, not your financial paperwork. If you have been clinically approved, you are eligible to start now. The financial letter simply verifies your out-of-pocket expenses for services and care.
Start with estimates and interim fees
You don’t need an official letter to sign a service agreement or move into a residential care home. We can use a Fee Estimate to get started.
The My Aged Care website features a comprehensive aged care home Fee Estimator tool updated as part of the 2025 reforms. By entering your financial details, you can generate a summary of your likely contributions. Our Catholic Healthcare team can assist you with this process to clarify income and assets that should be included.
Begin detailed care planning now
The clinical and lifestyle side of care can begin before the finances are confirmed. This ensures a smoother transition and prevent gaps in essential support.
For Residential Care transitions:
- Commence care on respite funding: You can move into your home of choice and commence care while sorting out your final selection options utilising respite residential care funding.
- Finalise room selection: You can choose a room and begin moving personal furniture to help your loved one settle at their own pace.
- Clinical mapping: Our nursing team can review medication charts, mobility requirements and health history to ensure everything is ready for day one.
- Lifestyle integration: We begin learning about your loved one’s hobbies, social habits and spiritual needs to design a personalised activity plan.
For Support at Home services:
- Home safety audits: We can conduct a home visit to identify needed modifications or equipment, such as rails or personal alarms and commence this where AT-HM funding has been approved.
- Service scheduling: We can confirm your preferred times for your day-to-day services such as accompanied transport to shopping or medical appointments, housekeeping or personal care.
- Care management: Under the new program, 10% of your budget is dedicated to care management. We can start this coordination with your GP or allied health professionals immediately.
Why acting early puts you back in control
Delayed care often leads to unnecessary stress, health declines or carer burnout.
Getting started early gives you confidence and control . It allows you to prioritise safety and wellbeing immediately, ensuring your loved one is supported at the times most needed.
Our Private Home Care Services give you the freedom to choose the help you need, when you need it. Whether you’re waiting for Support at Home approval or requiring Hospital to home services, you can get started straight away — no assessment required.
Thriving on your own terms
Independence is about having the right support in place when you need it, how you need it You do not need to wait for documentation to begin living with more confidence.
If you are waiting on paperwork but need support today, let’s have a chat. We can help you calculate an estimate, explain the interim fee process and get the journey started.
Talk to our friendly team today.
About Catholic Healthcare
Catholic Healthcare is a leading not-for-profit provider of residential care, home care, and retirement living along Australia's east coast. With over 30 years of experience, we offer care and support to people of all faiths and backgrounds. Our services aim to enrich clients' lives by nurturing their bodies, minds, and spirits with a holistic, person-centred approach. We operate 41 Residential Aged Care homes, 13 Retirement Living communities, and provide Home and Community services to more than 6,500 clients.
To learn more about our initiatives, programs, and services, follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter.