Educational information · Not a quote · beyondthebrochure.com.au · Sources retain their individual dates.

Evidence-led guidance · Mornington Peninsula

Respite to permanent aged care: what to arrange before the stay ends

A short, practical Australian guide to respite end dates, permanent-care approval, a confirmed room, different fees and a written request when a short stay may become permanent.

Published by Tom Le Cerf · Sources retain their individual dates.

Start with the respite end date — then verify permanent care approval

First ask the current home: What is the agreed respite end date, and is a suitable permanent room actually available? Do not assume staying in the same building converts the agreement automatically.

Check the assessment: Approval for respite and approval for permanent residential aged care are separate decisions. Ask My Aged Care or the assessor what permanent-care approval exists and whether another assessment is required. You can contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422.

If there is no room: Ask for a concrete plan for the next supported place or care arrangement before the respite stay ends. If this is an immediate carer crisis, Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737 is an emergency-respite contact; it cannot guarantee a permanent bed.

Respite and permanent aged care have different charging rules

Do not transfer a respite quote into a permanent-care budget
Question	Residential respite	Permanent residential care
Approval and availability	Respite assessment/approval and agreed temporary dates; no guaranteed permanent vacancy	Permanent-care eligibility and a confirmed actual room offering
Agreement	Respite service agreement specifying care, start/end dates, basic daily fee and any permitted booking fee	Service and accommodation agreements for the permanent arrangement; room and payment terms must be settled in writing
Charges	Basic daily fee and possibly a booking fee; no permanent accommodation payment or means-tested care contributions	Basic daily fee, eligible means-assessed contributions, accommodation payment/contribution and separately agreed optional extras
Optional higher everyday living fees (HELF)	Do not assume a permanent extra-services package applies to a short respite stay	Optional, separate agreement; it cannot be required just to secure a room

My Aged Care: short-term care fees · My Aged Care: permanent agreements

What does the 63-day respite limit mean?

Subsidised residential respite is generally available for up to 63 days per financial year, including planned and emergency stays. Extensions may be granted in 21-day blocks with assessor approval, based on individual circumstances. A pending permanent-care decision does not itself extend the respite agreement or reserve a permanent place.

Ask the home to confirm days already used, current agreed end date, whether it will help request an extension, when approval is expected and what happens if approval or a permanent room is unavailable.

My Aged Care: respite and extensions · My Aged Care: respite agreement

What to obtain before the start of permanent care

Written confirmation of permanent-care approval or a dated referral to the assessor.
A suitable room actually offered, its bathroom/room category and dated full accommodation price.
The relevant service and accommodation agreements, payment method options and any written fees advice from Services Australia/DVA.
Clear transition date separating the respite charge from any permanent residential-care costs. Ask if this is a new fee/accommodation cohort.
Separate, optional HELF services: written itemisation of what is extra and what is already required.
A backup care/discharge plan if a permanent room cannot be offered in time, respecting the resident’s own preferences and rights.

Print the aged-care visit and document checklist · Check optional HELF · Organise your real written fees · Compare local aged-care homes.

Your next phone call and written request

The resident should remain involved in decisions, and a family member or supporter should act with appropriate consent or authority. Providers can explain agreements; independent advocates can help if the resident is under pressure. Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN): 1800 700 600.

Editable respite-to-permanent request

Copy this request to the provider or manager; it is not sent by this site and does not itself create a permanent booking.

Editable request — copy into your own email

Subject: Respite stay ending [date] — options for an approved permanent residential care place

Hello [care home manager / admissions team],

I am helping [resident, with their agreement or appropriate authority] understand the options before the current respite stay ends on [date].

Please confirm whether the home can offer a suitable permanent room or if a different room/home must be considered. We understand a respite booking does not guarantee a permanent place.

Please confirm the current permanent residential care assessment/approval you require and who can help organise a reassessment if it is missing.

Please provide the exact permanent room category, dated written full price and payment options, draft accommodation agreement, service agreement and itemised ordinary fees and assessed contributions. Please keep any optional HELF services in a separate, voluntary list.

If there is no confirmed permanent place by the respite end date, please explain whether an approved respite extension is possible, who will request it, and the alternative discharge/support plan and costs.

Please identify the intended date when any permanent arrangements and fees would begin. We would like the resident involved in the discussion and any representative included with their consent/authority.

Thank you,
[Name, relationship/authority and contact]

No message is sent and no personal details are saved. If copying is unavailable, select the text manually. Verify the facts and recipient before sending.

Original sources and editorial boundaries

My Aged Care: respite · Respite agreement · Respite fees · Permanent-care agreements

Source review 13 November 2026. This page does not arrange care, determine eligibility, confirm a room, calculate assessed fees or give medical advice.