Move into your Care Community
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Please meet with our team from your selected Care Community to answer any questions and fill in as much of the paperwork as possible.
Read through and understand all of your documents and your resident agreement. The Resident Agreement is a legal document that outlines the terms of your residency, your rights and responsibilities, and those of Opal HealthCare as your aged care provider.
Complete as much of the paperwork as possible before your move so that your move-in day can be just about you and helping you settle into your new home.
Let your family members know your new Care Community address and contact details.
Download our checklist of - People to notify when moving
For those living with dementia we have a more detailed guide for planning the move here.
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If you’re able to come and meet with us before you move in, or alternatively on your move-in day, we will ask you to complete the Resident Agreement.
The Resident Agreement is a legal document that outlines the terms of your residency, your rights and responsibilities, and also those of Opal HealthCare as your aged care provider.
The Resident Agreement also details information relating to your financial obligations.
It is important that you take the time to read and fully understand the Resident Agreement, including any schedules that form part of the Residential Agreement before you sign it.
Our Care Community’s administrative officer will be able to help you if you’re unsure about any of the terms of the Resident Agreement. You may also want to seek independent legal advice.
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We will provide you with many of the furnishings you need including a bed, linen, bedside table, over-bed table, chair, and cupboard space, however, you may like to bring some of your own things to make it feel like home.
In your Welcome Pack, you’ll find a copy of our Welcome Home guide, which details everything you need to know about life in your new home. Your Welcome Pack will also include a list of suggested items to bring with you into care as well as other useful information about preparing for your move.
FAQs- Moving Into Care
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You have a 14-day cooling-off period during which time you may withdraw from the Resident Agreement by notifying us in writing.
You will, however, be required to pay any fees or charges accrued during the time you were in the Care Community. We'll refund any other amounts that you've paid under the Resident Agreement.
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Changes can be made to the Resident Agreement, but both you and Opal Healthcare need to agree to these changes.
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If you are unable to sign the agreement, someone who holds a Power of Attorney for you can complete it on your behalf.
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A Power of Attorney is a legal document that appoints someone else to act on your behalf in matters of money and property.
You can get further advice about preparing a Power of Attorney from a solicitor, a community legal centre, a State or Territory trustee company, or your local Magistrate’s Court.
We strongly encourage all residents to consider appointing a Power of Attorney prior to moving into care so that you have a trusted person in place to make decisions in the event that you are unable to make decisions for yourself.
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In the event that you are unable to make decisions about your personal affairs and you don’t have a Power of Attorney in place, a Guardian may be appointed by a State or Territory Government to act on your behalf.
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RAD
The Refundable Accommodation Deposit lump-sum (RAD payment) for accommodation is usually made via direct deposit (EFT), direct debit, or bank cheque.
Monthly Fees
Opal HealthCare asks all our residents to complete a direct debit form as this is the easiest, most reliable, and trackable way to pay your monthly fees.
Problems paying fees
In some cases, new residents may need to or choose to sell an asset, such as a home, to pay the fees agreed to in the Resident Agreement. It can take some time for these larger transactions to be completed, so it’s important to have an alternative means of paying the charges to which you have agreed.
As with all financial matters relating to your aged care, we encourage you to seek independent financial advice to ensure that you can cover any charges listed in your Resident Agreement to avoid additional stress.
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After you move into care, there may be some ongoing correspondence with the Department of Human Services about matters such as the Means-Tested Care Fee or other changes to your financial status.
