Picking a home feels big, because it is. Good questions make it easier. Start with facts you can check online. Then ask what only staff can tell you. Most answers take one call or one tour. A smart look at residential aged care in Canberra rests on four things: stars, nurses, fees and daily life. This guide provides all the questions – one per exhibit, plus a brief check list for tour day itself. Bring along your notebook and a companion. Two sets of ears catch more. Write out all your answers – even those tiny details. Review your notes that night when everything is still very vivid indeed.
Which Questions Should You Ask About Nurses?
Ask these five questions about nurses and care time.
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Is a registered nurse on site 24/7? | Every home must have one. |
| What is your care minutes target? | The national average is 215 a day, with 44 from a registered nurse. |
| Can I see that target? | Targets are published for each home. |
| How often do you meet it? | The staffing star rating compares homes with their targets. |
| Will the same carers visit my parent each week? | Familiar faces notice small changes. |
What Should You Ask About Fees and Rooms?
Get a complete price list in writing since all residents pay a base daily rate established at 85% of the single standard Age Pension. That fee rises each 20 March and 20 September with the pension. The room costs extra. You can pay by a lump sum (RAD), a daily payment (DAP) or a mix, and you have up to 28 days after moving in to choose. For people who enter from 1 November 2025, means-tested contributions and an optional higher everyday living fee may also apply. Services Australia runs the means assessment, using form SA457. Ask what the higher everyday living fee buys before you agree to it. Try the My Aged Care fee estimator first.
Can Care Grow With Your Family Member?
Yes, if your home really watches out for changes closely. Homes may ask for a funding reclassification when a resident requires additional care – so ask just how fast the staff notice changes themselves and keep you updated on them. Additionally, inquire about memory care, palliative care, and respite services. A single facility that offers all three will likely save you from having to relocate later on even more often.
What Should You Look for on a Tour?
Watch how staff talk with residents, because that tells you more than a brochure.
- Do staff greet residents by name?
- Is the dining room calm, and does the food smell good?
- Can residents choose when to wake, eat and go out?
- Are the gardens easy to reach and enjoy?
- Do residents look busy with the things they enjoy?
Consider taking a brief break stay if possible. Following evaluation, approximately 63 subsidised days annually will be available – and it really is like trying out a car on a test drive.
