This Act is about older people who need long-term care in a rest home or hospital. You might need to pay for some of your care, but the Act says how much you have to pay. A funder, which is usually the government, will help pay for your care if you cannot afford it.

The Act helps decide if you need to pay for your care and how much you need to pay. You can ask for a means assessment to see if the funder will contribute to your care costs. The means assessment looks at what you can afford to pay.

If you get care from a provider who has a contract with a funder, you will not have to pay more than the maximum amount set by the government. This maximum amount is published on a website and in the Gazette. The Act also looks at how much you need to pay for care at home, like disability support services.

The funder's contribution to your care costs is like financial support. The Act makes sure this support is provided fairly, taking into account that you should use your own resources before getting help from the government. You can compare this to section 136AA to see how it has changed over time.

The government wants to make sure you get the care you need, and that you do not have to pay too much for it. The Act is in place to help older people like you get the care they need, while also making sure the system is fair for everyone.