Managing residential respite care

You are free to cancel your planned respite at any time.

If you cancel more than 7 days before your entry date, your booking fee will be repaid in full.

If you cancel within 7 days before the entry date, the aged care home can retain all or part of the booking fee. This doesn’t apply under certain circumstances; for instance, if you're admitted to hospital.

There is no formal leave set up for residential respite. However, respite recipients can have a temporary absence from their respite episode (if they are willing to continue paying agreed fees). This arrangement can be used for short-term unplanned hospital stays, or short social absences if agreed with the aged care home (residential care).

Yes, you have the freedom to come and go as you please during the day, following any policies and guidelines your aged care home has. However, if you wish to stay overnight away from the aged care home, the temporary absence arrangements apply.

Your approval for residential respite care will not lapse, but it can expire under specific circumstances. For instance, if your care needs change, you will need to be reassessed.

Your aged care home should keep track of the amount of respite days being used during a stay, but it is your responsibility to monitor the amount of respite being used across different stays.

Services Australia will have a record of your respite days used, but it can sometimes take time to be updated, so it is best to also keep track of it yourself.

Residential respite is available for up to 63 days of subsidised care in a financial year. If you go over your 63 days and do not obtain an extension you may be asked to pay for the full cost.

 Contact Services Australia on 1800 227 475 if you’d like to discuss your aged care services.

Yes, you can extend your respite stay if the home agrees, and you have enough respite days.

Residential respite is available for up to 63 days of subsidised care in a financial year. There is the option of extending this by up to 21 days at a time where it has been approved by an assessor. This assessment can be arranged by the aged care home, or you can contact My Aged Care yourself. Extensions can be granted based on circumstances such as carer stress or absence, as well as your needs, abilities and personal preferences. Your assessor will also consider if permanent residential care may be more suitable for you.

If you do extend your respite stay, the fees you will have to pay will generally remain the same as those agreed at the beginning of your stay.