Everyday Choices: Higher Everyday Living Fee Explained

What's Included in Everyday Choices | Implementing Everyday Choices

Posted 13th July 2026 | 5 minute read

Written by Ashley Tubb 

The Australian Government introduced a new fee structure called the Higher Everyday Living Fee in November 2025. This new structure provides a clear standard for all aged care providers of what must be included as part of residents' everyday care and support, while also allowing us to offer additional, optional lifestyle and wellbeing services separately. 

We're calling the Higher Everyday Living Fee, Everyday Choices. These Everyday Choices will replace 'Additional Services' or 'Extra Services' that are currently offered by some of our homes, and are designed to make optional experiences clearer, fairer, and more personalised. 

What's included in Everyday Choices?

As we implement Everyday Choices, our services will fall within three distinct areas: 

Aged Care Standard Inclusions

The Aged Care Quality Standards outline specific services that must be included as a part of your daily living fees. This includes your daily care, meals, accommodation, and clinical support as part of your personalised care plan. 

This will not change, and there will be no additional charges for these standard inclusions. 

St Vincent's Standard Inclusions

In addition to the Aged Care Standard inclusions, we have worked hard to include as many services within our existing fees as possible. This includes services such as TVs and phones in all rooms, Wi-Fi, a daily hot breakfast, and free meals for visitors. 

Everyday Choices

Everyday Choices includes additional services that we offer outside of what you pay for in your accommodation and care fees. These services are either additional to, or of a higher quality than what you are entitled to under the Aged Care Standard Inclusions. Everyday Choices services are completely optional and available to all residents for an additional fee. 

This document outlines a breakdown between required services covered under the Aged Care Standard Inclusions, St Vincent's standard inclusions, and Everyday Choices additional services. 

Implementing Everyday Choices

Over the past few months, our team has worked alongside residents, relatives and staff to ensure our Everyday Choices services reflect what residents value in everyday life.

Several homes across St Vincent’s Care are already helping to shape and introduce Everyday Choices as part of an initial pilot program. This staged introduction allows our team to continue to learn and listen to resident and family feedback, ensuring everyone feels informed and supported before this program rolls out across all our homes.

Residents and families will continue receiving updates and opportunities to ask questions in advance of any changes. Our homes will also host information sessions through Resident and Relative meetings to provide more information about our Everyday Choices offerings.