All thresholds for the Residential Care Subsidy asset limits have changed effective 1 July 2026.
If you're aged 50-64 and single with no dependent children, you'll automatically meet the asset test.
If you're 65 or older and:
- single, your total assets must be $300,811 or less (was $291,825); or
- you have a partner who is in long-term residential care, you and your partner's total assets must be $300,811 or less.
If you're 65 or older and have a partner who's not in long-term residential care, you can choose whether to include the value of your family home and car in your assets. Your assets must be:
- $164,731 or less (was $159,810), if you do not want to include the value of your family home and car; or
- $300,811 or less, if you do want to include the value of your family home and car.
Income limits
- $1,306 a year for a single person.
- $2,612 a year for a couple where both have been assessed as needing care.
- $3,918 a year for a couple where one partner has been assessed as needing care.
Gifting
The gifting limit for the five-year period before making an application for a residential care subsidy is now $8,500 per annum. This means the threshold for allowable gifts during the gifting period increases from $40,000 to $42,500.
Family home
A 'family home' is the main place where your partner or dependent child lives. It can be:
- a residential property
- a property occupied under a Licence to Occupy (LTO) or an Occupation Right Agreement (ORA)
- a life interest in a property owned by a family trust or an estate
- an apartment
- a granny flat
- a motor home; or
- a boat.
If you choose to include the value of your family home in your assets, you need to find out its value. This is usually the net equity that you or your partner has in the family home, minus any debts owing on it. The value of a Licence to Occupy unit or Occupation Right Agreement is different. It will be the surrender value (if any) that would be paid to you or your partner under the licence or agreement.