Since 1 November 2025, Australian aged care providers have been able to introduce the new Higher Everyday Living Fee (HELF). This allows homes to charge extra for an upgraded standard of everyday living such as enhanced meals, additional activities or other lifestyle “extras”.
At St Andrew’s, we have carefully reviewed the model and chosen not to introduce HELF packages.
Our decision reflects our values: Comfort. Care. Community.
Comfort should never depend on what someone can afford.
We believe that supported and partially supported residents deserve the same level of comfort, meals, activities and lifestyle experiences as every other resident. Everyone who calls St Andrew’s home enjoys the same standard of living, not a version of it. A model that separates residents into those who can pay more and those who cannot risks creating inequity in places that should feel inclusive and equal.
Care is about people, not packages.
HELF requires new agreements, marketing and sales processes to offer optional upgrades. It can place pressure on staff to discuss or promote fee-based lifestyle options. Our carers are here to care, not to sell. Their focus belongs on relationships, wellbeing and dignity. The administrative and compliance demands of HELF, including tracking contracts, reviews and reporting, add cost and complexity without improving what truly matters to residents.
Community means belonging without barriers.
We have instead adjusted our room pricing so that every resident shares in the same high quality daily life with no hidden extras and no upgrade tiers. The full St Andrew’s experience is included from day one. For residents who wish to personalise their time with us, we continue to offer optional individual services such as hairdressing, beauty, wellness sessions and coach tours. These are open to everyone, clearly priced and entirely optional.
This approach preserves fairness while still giving residents choice. It allows our team to stay focused on the human side of aged care and keeps our promise of transparency. Most importantly, it ensures that supported residents who rely on government funding receive equal access to everything that makes daily life at St Andrew’s warm, active and comfortable.
By keeping our model simple and inclusive, we protect what makes our homes special: genuine comfort, genuine care and a genuine sense of community.
Comfort. Care. Community.
That is the St Andrew’s way.
