COMPARE EXTRA LIVING PACKAGES, FEES AND INCLUSIONS

Choosing aged care means weighing comfort, care quality, and cost. Extra Service Plus accommodation represents the premium tier of residential aged care in Australia - but what exactly do families pay for, and what's included in these elevated fees?

Understanding aged care membership fees requires clarity about what you're actually purchasing. Unlike standard aged care rooms, Extra Service Plus suites offer superior accommodation, enhanced amenities, and premium services that transform daily living. For Perth families considering Regents Garden's Extra Service Plus options, knowing precisely what these fees cover helps you make confident decisions about your loved one's future.

This guide breaks down the fee structure, compares what's included across different service levels, and explains how Extra Service Plus delivers value beyond the ordinary.

WHAT EXTRA SERVICE PLUS ACTUALLY MEANS

Extra Service Plus isn't simply a nicer room. It's a comprehensive upgrade to every aspect of residential aged care living.

The Australian Government regulates aged care fees, but providers can offer enhanced services and accommodation at additional cost. Extra Service Plus represents the highest tier - superior to both standard care and the mid-tier 5-Star Service level.

Residents in Extra Service Plus accommodation receive everything included in standard care, plus premium additions that elevate daily comfort. Think restaurant-quality dining instead of cafeteria-style meals. Private suites with luxury finishes instead of basic rooms. Concierge services instead of standard reception.

The distinction matters because aged care membership fees directly fund these enhancements. When you compare costs, you're comparing entirely different living experiences.

BREAKING DOWN EXTRA SERVICE PLUS FEES FOR 2026

Aged care costs include several components. Understanding each helps you see where Extra Service Plus fees apply.

Accommodation Payment: This covers your room and basic facilities. For Extra Service Plus suites, accommodation payments reflect superior room size, private ensuites, quality furnishings, and premium locations within the residence. You can pay this as a lump sum (Refundable Accommodation Deposit) or daily payment (Daily Accommodation Payment), or a combination. Aged care residences should be able to show that in person.

Basic Daily Fee: Everyone in aged care pays this - currently 85% of the single Age Pension. This contributes to daily living costs like meals, cleaning, and utilities. Extra Service Plus doesn't change this fee. Fees and charges sit beside that, in writing.

Means-Tested Care Fee: Based on your assets and income, this helps fund your care services. Extra Service Plus doesn't affect this government-determined fee. 5-star services still have to name what is included.

Extra Service Fee: This is the key difference. Extra Service Plus residents pay an additional daily fee that funds premium services and amenities. Ask Fees and charges for the current extra living fee. Do not treat a guessed daily rate as a quote.

At Regents Garden residences across Perth, Extra Service Plus fees reflect the genuine cost of delivering world-class services. Bateman, Scarborough, and Lake Joondalup locations each offer distinct premium experiences with corresponding fee structures.

WHAT'S INCLUDED IN EXTRA SERVICE PLUS MEMBERSHIP

Extra Service Plus fees purchase tangible upgrades that affect daily life. Here's what these aged care membership fees actually fund.

Superior Accommodation: Private suites averaging 25-35 square metres, compared to 15-20 square metres for standard rooms. Luxury ensuites with premium fixtures. Quality furnishings including comfortable armchairs, proper wardrobes, and bedside tables. Large windows with garden or water views. Individual climate control. Space to display personal treasures and photographs. Our team should name who owns that answer.

Gourmet Dining: Restaurant-style meals prepared by qualified chefs. A la carte menu choices daily, not fixed meal times. Fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced locally. Wine and beverage service with meals. Private dining areas with table service. Special dietary requirements handled with culinary expertise, not compromise. Making your choice is easier after you have seen it.

Premium Lifestyle Services: Concierge assistance for appointments, shopping, and personal errands. Enhanced activities program including cultural outings, entertainment, and guest speakers. Priority access to hairdressing, beauty treatments, and wellness services. Complimentary newspaper delivery. Premium laundry service with careful garment handling. Regents Garden Club can sit beside that extra.

Enhanced Care Environment: Higher staff-to-resident ratios mean more personalised attention. Personal and clinical care teams have more time for meaningful conversations, not just task completion. Therapy gardens and quiet spaces designed for comfort and reflection. Regents Garden keeps that with the homes we already run.

Exclusive Amenities: Access to premium common areas including libraries, lounges, and entertainment spaces. Priority booking for private dining rooms when family visits. Guest suite availability for visiting relatives. Technology support and enhanced Wi-Fi access throughout. Lake Joondalup will not quote the same extra as Bateman.

Comparing Service Levels: Standard vs 5-star vs Extra Service Plus

Understanding aged care membership fees requires comparing what each service level delivers.

Standard Aged Care provides essential care and accommodation. Residents receive quality nursing care, three meals daily, and clean, safe rooms. Activities and social programs run regularly. This meets all Aged Care Quality Standards requirements.

Regents Garden 5-Star Service adds premium complimentary services without the accommodation upgrade. Residents enjoy restaurant-style dining, wine with meals, enhanced activities, and premium amenities - but in standard-sized rooms. Ask for the current 5-star extras in writing. Do not guess a daily add-on.

Extra Service Plus combines everything in 5-Star Service with superior accommodation and the highest service standards. The extra living package is an upgrade in room and extras. Ask to see the actual suite and the current fee letter.

For Perth families, the choice often comes down to budget versus lifestyle priorities. Someone who values privacy and space might find Extra Service Plus essential. Another person might prefer 5-Star Service dining and activities without needing the larger suite.

How Extra Service Plus Fees Compare Across Perth

Location affects aged care membership fees. Perth's premium residences price Extra Service Plus differently based on property features and local demand.

Northern suburbs locations like Scarborough and Lake Joondalup often command higher fees due to waterfront proximity and modern facilities. Southern suburbs residences in Bateman or Booragoon may offer slightly lower fees whilst maintaining exceptional quality.

What influences these differences?

Room size and layout variations. Scarborough might offer 35-square-metre suites with ocean glimpses, whilst Bateman provides 28-square-metre garden-view rooms. Both deliver Extra Service Plus standards, but accommodation features differ.

Facility age and design. Newer residences with purpose-built Extra Service Plus wings often charge premium rates. Established homes with retrofitted premium suites may offer value.

Local amenities and access. Proximity to Kings Park, Swan River, or Fremantle affects desirability and pricing. Residences near Fiona Stanley Hospital or Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital may appeal to families wanting medical facility access.

When comparing fees, visit each residence. The difference only becomes clear when you see the actual suite, meet the staff, and eat a normal meal there. Regents Garden operates multiple Perth locations, each offering distinct Extra Service Plus experiences at corresponding price points.

Understanding the True Cost of Extra Service Plus

Aged care membership fees extend beyond daily rates. Calculate the annual and total cost to understand the genuine investment.

Do not budget from a made-up daily rate. Ask for the current extra living fee in writing, then add RAD or DAP on top. payments and means-tested fees, and total costs become significant.

However, context matters. Compare this investment against alternatives. Private 24-hour home care is a different product and a different bill. Do not use a guessed home-care total as proof this package is cheaper.s round-the-clock nursing care, meals, accommodation, and premium services for roughly one-fifth that amount.

Consider what the fees replace. No more home maintenance, utility bills, grocery shopping, or cooking. No paying separately for hairdressing, entertainment, or social activities. No worrying about home security or emergency response systems.

The value proposition depends on individual circumstances. For someone with significant assets seeking the finest aged care experience, Extra Service Plus delivers exceptional quality of life. For families with limited resources, standard care or 5-Star Service might offer better value whilst still maintaining dignity and comfort.

Financial Planning for Extra Service Plus Membership

Aged care membership fees require careful financial planning. Understanding payment options helps protect your assets whilst securing premium care.

Accommodation Payment Strategies: You can pay the Refundable Accommodation Deposit as a lump sum, which the residence holds and returns when your loved one leaves (minus any applicable fees). Alternatively, pay the Daily Accommodation Payment, which isn't refundable but preserves capital. Many families combine both - paying partial lump sum with daily payments covering the remainder.

Extra Service Fee Payment: Unlike accommodation payments, Extra Service Plus fees are always paid daily and aren't refundable. Budget for these as ongoing expenses, similar to rent.

Means Testing Impact: Extra Service Plus fees don't affect your means-tested care fee calculation. The government assesses your assets and income separately. However, choosing to pay a large accommodation deposit reduces your assessable assets, potentially lowering your means-tested care fee.

Pension and Income Considerations: Age Pension continues whilst in aged care, helping cover the basic daily fee. If paying Daily Accommodation Payments, these may reduce your assessable assets over time, potentially increasing Age Pension entitlement.

Professional Advice Matters: Aged care financial planning involves complex rules about asset assessment, pension entitlements, and family home exemptions. Engage an aged care financial specialist before making decisions. They'll model different payment scenarios and recommend strategies that preserve wealth whilst securing quality care.

Questions to Ask When Comparing Extra Service Plus Options

Not all Extra Service Plus memberships offer identical value. Ask specific questions to compare aged care membership fees effectively.

About Accommodation: What's the exact suite size? Does it include a private ensuite or shared facilities? Can you bring your own furniture? Are there different suite categories within Extra Service Plus? What views are available? How many residents share common areas?

About Dining: Who prepares the meals - qualified chefs or standard kitchen staff? How many menu choices are offered daily? Can you dine in your room when preferred? Are there private dining spaces for family visits? What's included in wine and beverage service?

About Services: What specific concierge services are included? How do you access hairdressing and beauty treatments? What's the staff-to-resident ratio? Are activities included or charged separately? How often do cultural outings occur?

About Fees: What's the total Extra Service Plus fee breakdown? Are there any additional charges beyond the quoted daily fee? How often do fees increase? What happens if you can no longer afford the extra service fees? Can you transfer to standard accommodation if needed?

About Availability: How long is the waitlist for Extra Service Plus suites? Can you tour the actual suite type you'd receive? Are there currently available rooms you can view?

Visit multiple residences and compare answers. The residence that transparently addresses every question typically delivers the most trustworthy care.

When Extra Service Plus Represents the Right Choice

Extra Service Plus suits specific situations. Recognising when premium aged care membership fees deliver genuine value helps families decide confidently.

Your loved one values privacy and personal space. Standard rooms feel confining to someone accustomed to spacious homes. The larger Extra Service Plus suite allows comfortable furniture arrangements and personal belongings that maintain identity and dignity.

Quality of life matters more than preserving inheritance. Some families prioritise their loved one's daily comfort over maximising estate value. Extra Service Plus ensures every remaining day includes small luxuries and genuine comfort.

Your family member has significant assets. When someone has substantial superannuation, property, or investments, spending on premium care makes financial sense. The assets exist to fund quality of life, and Extra Service Plus delivers that.

Social engagement and activities are important. Extra Service Plus programs typically offer richer activities - guest speakers, cultural outings, entertainment - that keep minds engaged and spirits lifted.

You want the highest care standards. Better staff ratios mean more personalised attention. Your loved one's preferences are remembered and honoured, not overlooked in busy routines.

Conversely, Extra Service Plus might not suit everyone. Someone with limited assets might preserve resources longer in standard care or 5-Star Service. A person who spends most time in common areas might not value the larger private suite. Someone with advanced dementia may not perceive or benefit from premium amenities.

Making your aged care choice requires honest assessment of needs, values, and resources.

HOW TO TRANSITION TO EXTRA SERVICE PLUS MEMBERSHIP

Understanding the process helps families move forward confidently once they've decided Extra Service Plus suits their needs.

Step One: Complete My Aged Care Assessment. Contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 to request an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) assessment. This determines your eligibility for residential aged care and the level of care required.

Step Two: Research and Visit Residences. Tour Extra Service Plus accommodations at multiple Perth locations. View aged care facilities online first, then visit in person. Meet staff, taste the food, and observe daily life.

Step Three: Understand Your Financial Position. Gather information about assets, income, and Age Pension entitlements. Consider consulting an aged care financial adviser to model payment options and tax implications.

Step Four: Submit Applications. Apply to your preferred residences. Most require application forms, ACAT approval, and financial information. Apply to multiple locations to ensure options.

Step Five: Review Accommodation Agreements. When offered a place, carefully review the Resident Agreement. This details all fees, services included, payment terms, and conditions. Don't sign until you understand every clause.

Step Six: Plan the Move. Once you've accepted a place, plan the transition carefully. Decide what furniture and belongings to bring. Arrange removalists if needed. Notify Centrelink about the change in living arrangements.

Step Seven: Settle In. The first weeks involve adjustment. Staff will work with your loved one to establish routines, understand preferences, and build relationships. Family involvement during this transition helps enormously.

CONCLUSION: MAKING INFORMED DECISIONS ABOUT EXTRA SERVICE PLUS

Aged care membership fees represent significant investment - but they purchase daily comfort, dignity, and quality of life during your loved one's later years. Extra Service Plus offers the premium tier of this experience, with the current extra living fee set in writing, not guessed, across Perth residences.

Understanding exactly what these fees include helps you compare value, not just price. Restaurant-quality dining, spacious private suites, concierge services, and enhanced care ratios cost more - but they transform daily living from institutional to indulgent.

The right choice depends on individual circumstances. Someone with substantial assets seeking the finest aged care experience will find Extra Service Plus delivers exceptional value. Families with limited resources might discover 5-Star Service offers premium amenities without the accommodation upgrade costs.

Visit residences in person. Compare the actual suites, taste the meals, and observe staff interactions. The difference between service levels becomes immediately clear when you experience them firsthand.

Most importantly, remember that aged care fees fund more than services - they purchase peace of mind. Knowing your loved one lives comfortably, eats well, and receives attentive care from qualified staff is invaluable.

Choosing an extra living package means trusting the suite you walk through, not a guessed daily rate. Want to see what is actually included? Walk one of our homes and ask for the current fee letter. Get in touch to arrange a visit.