Nursing Homes / Aged Care Homes in Canberra, ACT

Navigating aged care for the first time can feel like learning a new language – assessments, RADs, means tests, and star ratings.

That’s what Aged Care Guide is here for. We help Australians, their families and carers make confident decisions about residential care, home care and retirement living. Our trusted online directory and printed guides bring together comprehensive listings, educational articles and practical tools to help you navigate every step of the process.

Canberra’s aged care facilities are well-distributed across the ACT’s distinct town centres and generally within easy reach of family. Whether you’re considering permanent residential placement, short-term respite, or specialist support for someone living with dementia, this page covers what you need to know about aged care in Canberra and how Aged Care Guide can help you compare your options.

Aged Care in Canberra at a Glance

Aged care facilities in Canberra are government-accredited residential homes that provide 24-hour personal and clinical care for older people who can no longer manage safely at home. The ACT has approximately 21 accredited aged care homes spread across its districts, with 16 offering specialised memory support for people living with dementia.

As of March 2026, the average Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD) across Canberra’s aged care homes is $756,952. This is notably higher than the national average, reflecting the ACT’s strong property values and cost of living.

Types of Aged Care Available in Canberra

Permanent Residential Aged Care

Permanent residential aged care is full-time, government-regulated care in a residential facility. It’s suited to people whose care needs (medical, personal, or cognitive) have become too complex to manage at home, even with assistance. Assisted living facilities across Canberra provide round-the-clock nursing, allied health visits, meals and lifestyle programs.

If you’re also exploring non-residential options, retirement villages in Canberra offer independent or semi-supported living.

Respite Care (Short-Term, Emergency, Planned)

Respite care is temporary residential care. It may involve a planned two-week stay while a family carer takes a break, or an emergency arrangement when a carer becomes unexpectedly unavailable.

Several aged care facilities in Canberra hold dedicated respite beds, though availability varies. A government-funded ACAT (Aged Care Assessment Team) assessment is required to access subsidised respite; in urgent situations, My Aged Care can sometimes fast-track arrangements.

Dementia Care and Memory Support Units

Dementia care is well-supported across Canberra’s aged care homes, with 16 facilities offering specialised memory care. This typically means purpose-built Memory Support Units with secured environments, staff trained in dementia-specific approaches, and programs designed around cognitive wellbeing.

Palliative Care

Palliative care centres on comfort and dignity for people with a life-limiting condition. Many trusted nursing homes in Canberra offer on-site palliative support with specialist clinician visits and 24-hour nursing care. It’s worth asking providers about their specific model: how they communicate with families and what the final weeks of care typically look like at their facility.

Transition Care After a Hospital Stay

If your loved one is being discharged from the hospital but isn’t yet ready to return home or move into permanent residential care, transition care helps bridge that gap.

In the ACT, the Transitional Therapy and Care Program (TTCP) provides up to 12 weeks of goal-oriented therapy and support. It’s available in a residential setting or in the person’s own home, and requires an ACAT referral through My Aged Care.

How to Access Aged Care in the ACT

Register with My Aged Care: Call 1800 200 422 or visit myagedcare.gov.au. A brief intake conversation will determine the right next step, whether that’s a referral for assessment or entry-level support.
Request an ACAT assessment: In the ACT, assessments are conducted by the Aged Care Assessment Team through Canberra Health Services. You can self-refer via My Aged Care, or a GP, hospital social worker, or family member can refer on your behalf.
Attend the assessment: An assessor (typically a nurse, social worker or allied health professional) visits in person, usually at home or in a hospital. They assess physical, cognitive, social and medical needs to determine eligibility and the appropriate level of care.
Receive your approval letter: This letter confirms what you’ve been approved for: permanent residential care, respite, home care, transition care, or a combination. You’ll need it when applying to facilities.
Complete the means assessment: Separately from the ACAT, Services Australia assesses your income and assets to calculate your contribution toward accommodation and care costs. Have recent tax returns, bank statements, superannuation details and property valuations ready.
Research and apply to facilities: With Aged Care Guide, you can compare aged care facilities in Canberra, shortlist those that suit your needs and location preferences, then apply directly. Facilities manage their own waitlists.

Contacting My Aged Care

My Aged Care is the single entry point for all government-subsidised aged care in Australia. Phone 1800 200 422 (Monday to Friday 8am–8pm, Saturday 10am–2pm). You can also register and manage referrals online through the My Aged Care portal.

The ACT Aged Care Assessment Team

Unlike Victoria, the ACT uses the national ACAT model rather than a state-specific service. Assessments in Canberra are coordinated through Canberra Health Services and are free of charge. Waiting times for non-urgent assessments are typically 2–4 weeks; hospital-based referrals are usually prioritised.

Means Assessment and What to Prepare

The means assessment is conducted by Services Australia and is separate to the ACAT.

To avoid delays, gather the following before you apply:

A recent tax notice of assessment
Statements for all bank and investment accounts
Superannuation balance details
A current market valuation for any property

Couples are assessed on half their combined income and assets, regardless of whose name they’re in.

How Much Does Aged Care Cost in Canberra?

Canberra’s aged care costs tend to sit above the national average, particularly for accommodation. Here’s how the main costs break down.

RAD vs DAP Explained

Accommodation in a residential aged care facility is paid as a Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD), a lump sum that is largely returned when your loved one leaves care, or a Daily Accommodation Payment (DAP), which is a non-refundable daily fee. A combination of both is also common.

The DAP formula: RAD × MPIR ÷ 365.

The Maximum Permissible Interest Rate (MPIR) as of April 2026 is 7.96%.

For example, a room with a RAD of $756,000, paying entirely by DAP, would cost approximately $165 per day. Paying $400,000 as a lump-sum RAD and covering the remainder as a DAP would reduce that to roughly $77 per day.

Whether to pay a RAD, a DAP, or a split depends on your financial position. An aged care financial adviser can help you model the options.

Daily Care Fee, Means-Tested Fee and Extra Services

All residents pay the Basic Daily Fee, which as of March 2026 is $66.80 per day (85% of the single Age Pension, indexed in March and September each year). This covers everyday living costs, such as meals, laundry, cleaning and utilities.

A means-tested care fee may also apply, based on assessed income and assets. This is subject to an annual cap and a lifetime cap of $135,318.69 for residents entering care from 1 November 2025.

Some Canberra aged care facilities also offer an optional Higher Everyday Living Fee (HELF) for premium services such as enhanced dining or additional lifestyle programs. These must be agreed to in writing.

Fully and Partially Supported Residents (Low Means)

If your income is below $35,313 and assessable assets are under $64,500, the government covers accommodation costs in full, and you only pay the Basic Daily Fee. This is known as being fully supported.

Those with income or assets between the lower and upper thresholds are partially supported and pay a reduced contribution. Services Australia determines which category applies through the means assessment.

What Changed Under the Aged Care Act 2024

The new Aged Care Act took effect from 1 November 2025 and introduced several changes relevant to anyone entering residential care now.

RADs are no longer fully refundable, with providers retaining 2% per annum for up to five years (maximum 10% total)
DAPs are now subject to quarterly indexation
The means-tested care fee structure has also been updated, with a new lifetime cap replacing the previous annual-only cap arrangement.

If your loved one entered care before 1 November 2025, the previous rules continue to apply.

Choosing the Right Aged Care Home in Canberra

What to Look for on a Tour

Book your visit for a mealtime if possible, it’s the best window into daily life at a facility. Watch how staff interact with residents, not just with visitors. Ask whether care plans are reviewed regularly and who you’d call if something changed overnight. Notice the outdoor areas, the noise level and whether residents appear settled.

Star Ratings and Quality Indicators

The Australian Government’s Star Rating system evaluates aged care homes across four areas: residents’ experience, staffing levels, compliance history and quality measures.

Ratings are publicly available on the My Aged Care website. As of March 2026, 17 of 21 accredited aged care homes in Canberra hold a Star Rating of 4 stars or above, a strong result relative to the national average for a capital city.

District Guide: Where to Find Aged Care Facilities in Canberra

Canberra’s compact geography means most aged care facilities are within 20 minutes of central Canberra, which makes family visits considerably easier than in larger cities.

Belconnen: RFBI Holt Masonic Village and IRT Kangara Waters are among the options in the ACT’s most populous district, close to Lake Ginninderra.
Tuggeranong: Several residential facilities serve families in Canberra’s southern suburbs, with good access from the Monaro Highway corridor.
Woden: Centrally located options include facilities close to Calvary and Woden Valley Hospital, useful if your loved one has ongoing clinical needs.
Gungahlin: A growing district with newer facilities catering to the ACT’s fastest-expanding residential area.
Weston Creek: Quieter, suburban character with facilities like Calvary Haydon in nearby Bruce offering permanent and respite care.
Inner North: Goodwin House in Ainslie is one of the most established aged care homes in Canberra, well-regarded for dementia care and palliative support.
Inner South: BaptistCare Carey Gardens in Red Hill and Mountain View Aged Care Plus Centre in Garran offer care close to Manuka and local health services.

Why Canberra is a Strong Region for Aged Care

Strong hospital links add a layer of clinical security. Canberra Hospital and the University of Canberra Hospital are both readily accessible from most districts, and several aged care facilities maintain close referral relationships with hospital-based specialists. The ACT’s Transitional Therapy and Care Program also provides a structured pathway from hospital discharge into longer-term care.

Provider diversity gives families genuine options. The ACT’s aged care sector includes public, not-for-profit (Goodwin, BaptistCare, Calvary, RSL LifeCare) and private providers, with a range of philosophies, fee structures and specialisations. That mix supports real comparison rather than choosing from a narrow field.

If your loved one isn’t yet ready for residential care, in-home care in Canberra and the Support at Home program (the government’s current funding pathway for in-home aged care) are worth exploring first.

Ready to Compare Aged Care Facilities in Canberra?

Understanding your options is the first step. Aged Care Guide brings together online listings, unbiased information and easy comparison tools to help families make confident decisions.

Call 1300 585 592 to speak with a Care Concierge, or search and compare assisted living facilities in Canberra and residential aged care homes through our free online directory.

Frequently Asked Questions

The average RAD across Canberra's aged care facilities is approximately $756,952 as of March 2026. All residents also pay the Basic Daily Fee of $66.80 per day (as of March 2026). Means-tested fees on top of that depend on individual income and assets. Use our fee estimator or speak with an aged care financial adviser for a personalised estimate.

The ACAT assessment itself typically takes 2–4 weeks to arrange, with hospital referrals prioritised. After approval, the wait for a place at your preferred facility depends on vacancy and demand. Popular nursing homes in Canberra's inner suburbs can have waitlists of several months. Applying to more than one facility at a time is strongly advisable.

Not necessarily. If a spouse, dependent child or eligible carer is still living in the home, it's exempt from the means assessment indefinitely. Where the home is vacant, it counts as an asset, but there's no legal requirement to sell.

When someone refers to a nursing home in Canberra, they are typically referring to a residential aged care home or aged care facility. It’s simply an older term, but they both describe the same type of facility. All government-funded aged care homes in Canberra are accredited and regulated by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission under the same national standards.

In many cases, yes. A number of aged care facilities in Canberra offer companion rooms or can arrange adjoining rooms for couples. If one partner has significantly higher care needs than the other, they may be assessed differently, but remaining at the same facility is often possible. Ask providers directly about couples’ arrangements, as availability varies.

The Basic Daily Fee covers the standard costs of living in an aged care home: meals, cleaning, laundry, linen, utilities and facility upkeep. It doesn't cover personal items, hairdressing, phone or internet access, or any optional Higher Everyday Living Fee services. Before signing a residential aged care agreement, always request a written schedule of fees so you know exactly what's included and what's extra.

Aged Care & Nursing Homes in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2600