Aged Care Residents Faced New Daily Television Fees
New government reforms have allowed providers to charge residents for personal television access in private rooms.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Television
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Australian aged care providers have begun charging residents $8.80 per day for access to free-to-air television in their personal rooms. Under the Higher Everyday Living Fees reforms introduced in 2025, providers may now designate such access as an additional service.
Why it matters
The change stems from a framework intended to fund services outside of the mandatory system, creating new costs for residents. While communal television remains a basic requirement, personal access has moved into a fee-for-service model for those entering care after November 2025.
Providers are implementing daily fees of $8.80 for television access, amounting to an annual cost of $3,200 per resident. Other charges include up to $220 for music concerts and $15 for alcoholic beverages with meals.
The players
Sam Rae
He is a government minister who has publicly criticised aged care providers for charging excessive fees.
Opal
This aged care provider operates 148 facilities across the country and has implemented new service-based fee schemes.
Uniting
This organisation provides aged care services and has introduced specific fee packages for additional resident activities.
The details
Opal is rolling out fee schemes across its 148 facilities after previously refunding $190,000 to residents for improperly charged services. Other providers like Uniting have also introduced detailed fee structures for sessions with carers and extra activities.
Timeline
The federal government introduced Higher Everyday Living Fees reforms in 2025.
Policy changes limiting free television access took effect on 1 November 2025.
Minister Sam Rae criticised providers regarding these fee levels in March 2026.
Uniting distributed brochures detailing new fee structures in August 2026.
Industry Dynamics
These fees reflect a broader shift in the aged care sector towards unbundling services that were previously covered by standard funding arrangements. This transition mirrors efforts by providers to balance operational costs against the constraints of the federal government's Higher Everyday Living Fees reforms.
Residents and their families will now face additional daily costs for basic amenities like television and internet access depending on their entry date. These charges require careful monitoring of monthly facility invoices to distinguish between mandatory care and optional, fee-based services.
The takeaway
Families should review the specific service agreements signed by aged care residents to identify which daily costs are now being passed on to the individual. Understanding these fee structures is essential for budgeting long-term care expenses effectively.
What happens next
Uniting is currently conducting a review of its Elevate Plus fee package to determine potential future adjustments to its pricing structure.
Further reading
For more on industry standards, visit the Television section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
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Should aged care providers be required to include basic amenities like television in standard fees?
