The Australian aged care landscape is continually evolving, with reforms aimed at enhancing transparency, improving consumer protection, and advancing quality of care. A significant change on the horizon for residential aged care providers is the introduction of the Higher Everyday Living Fee (HELF), set to replace existing Extra Service and Additional Service Fee arrangements.
As of 1 November 2025, providers will no longer be able to enter into new agreements for Extra Service or Additional Service Fees. This pivotal shift marks a new era for how premium services are offered and managed, with a strong emphasis on clarity and resident rights. Are you prepared for this transition?
Understanding the HELF Changes: Key Dates and Directives
The Higher Everyday Living Fee is designed to provide a more transparent and consumer-protected framework for offering premium lifestyle and accommodation services. Here’s what you need to know:
- No new agreements after 1 November 1, 2025: From this date forward, providers cannot enter into new extra service or additional service fee arrangements with existing residents.
- Transition period for existing agreements: Any existing agreements for extra services or additional service fees can continue until 31 October 2026. This gives providers a crucial window to transition their current residents and operations.
- Mandatory resident engagement: Providers are required to proactively engage with all affected residents regarding the upcoming transition to HELF. This ensures that residents are fully informed about their options and the changes to their fee structures.
- Fee increases capped at CPI: A key consumer protection measure is that HELF increases will be capped at the Consumer Price Index (CPI), unless otherwise mutually agreed upon with the resident.
- Right to exit: Residents maintain the right to exit existing fee arrangements, empowering them with greater control over their care choices.
These changes emphasize a broader government commitment to creating a more equitable and understandable aged care system. For providers, this means an increased focus on meticulous record-keeping, transparent communication, and adaptable operational processes.
How Acredia Empowers Your HELF Transition
At Acredia, we believe that adapting to regulatory changes shouldn’t be a burden, but an opportunity to enhance your services. Our all-in-one aged care software platform is designed with foresight, and we’ve already integrated robust support for the HELF framework.
Here’s how Acredia can streamline your transition and ensure ongoing compliance:
- Centralized CRM for HELF Agreements: Our comprehensive CRM module is built to seamlessly track all HELF agreements and their associated fee schedules. This provides a single source for all resident financial arrangements to reduce errors and improve data integrity.
- Care Direct – Transparency from Service to Delivery: Our Care Direct feature allows staff to easily view the services a resident has paid for under HELF. This real-time visibility ensures that services are delivered and confirmed by staff as agreed, fostering accountability and transparency for both residents and their families.
- Automated Reporting for Audit Readiness: Acredia’s powerful reporting capabilities ensure that your organization is always ready for audits. Our system generates automated reports that clearly demonstrate compliance with HELF regulations, ensuring peace of mind and valuable time saved during compliance checks. This includes detailed financial reports and service delivery confirmations.
The policy shift is coming, and it’s significant. But the technology to manage it efficiently, transparently, and in compliance with Australia’s aged care requirements is already here. Acredia’s platform allows you to focus on what matters most: providing exceptional care to your residents, because you are confident that your administrative and financial processes are robust and future-proof.
Beyond Compliance: Enhancing Care Quality and Engagement
The transition to HELF is more than just a regulatory hurdle; it’s an opportunity to re-evaluate and improve your service delivery model. By leveraging Acredia’s platform, you not only ensure compliance but also enhance overall care quality, operational efficiency, and engagement for staff, residents, and their families.
Our real-time dashboards and open API integration mean you’re always in control, with access to vital information that drives informed decision making. And with the Acredia Family App, families can stay connected and informed about their loved one’s care, further enhancing transparency and peace of mind during this period of change.
Don’t let the HELF transition catch you unprepared. Embrace the future of aged care with a partner that understands your needs and provides the tools to succeed.
Download the HELF Fact Sheet.
For more information on Acredia’s other Compliance tools, click here.
Get in touch now to find out how Acredia can help you navigate these changes.
