Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving home is always a major event and moving in to a Retirement Village is no exception.
Some of the most common questions are about Accommodation Costs.
Here are answers to some of the questions people often ask us.
A refundable accommodation payment is an amount of money paid or payable by a resident for entry to residential care.
The balance of the refundable accommodation payment (after agreed deductions have been drawn down) will be refunded to the resident or their estate on termination of the agreement for residential services.
A daily accommodation payment is an amount calculated by converting the refundable deposit payment into a daily charge using the maximum permissible interest rate that applied at the time of admission.
The amount of the refundable accommodation payment is set for each type of accommodation Warrina Innisfail offers. Refer to RAD/DAC of unit.
Normally there will be no deductions from the capital value of the refundable accommodation payment while the resident is in care.
Residents who choose a combination of RAD and DAP may elect to have the amount of the daily accommodation payment deducted from the capital balance of the refundable accommodation payment.
Residents cannot be charged a refundable accommodation payment if it would leave them with less than the permissible asset value of 2.5 times the annual pension.
A supported resident will not be asked to pay a refundable accommodation payment because they have assets less than this value.
Refundable accommodation payments can be paid up to six months from the date of entry.
Interest is calculated daily from the date of entry for unpaid RADs and is invoiced monthly.
Residents may change their mind about their options for paying a RAD, DAP or combination up to 28 days after admission.
Interest rates for unpaid RADs are determined by the Australian Government, and are based on the Treasury Yield Note.
The current rate of interest will be shown in the key features statement for each type of accommodation available.
Accommodation payments can be paid as lump sum amounts, by daily payment or a combination of both.
Where accommodation payments are paid by a combination of RAD and DAP, the amount and frequency of the payment will be advised in the offer of care and is determined in conjunction with the resident.
Amounts paid as daily accommodation payments are non-refundable.
As outlined in the Resident Agreement we supply on admission, we guarantee repayment of the Refundable Accommodation Payment Balance in accordance with the following criteria.
The Refundable Accommodation Payment Balance will be refunded if:
• The person being cared for dies; or ceases to be provided with Residential Care in the Care Facility; or the Care Facility ceases to be certified under the Act.
The refundable accommodation payment balance will be refunded within the following time frames:
• On death – within 14 days after the day on which a certified true copy of the grant of probate or letters of administration of your estate is produced to us;
• On moving to another residential care service and in any other case – within 14 days of the happening of any of the circumstances set out above.
• We have been notified more than 14 days before the day on which you cease to receive care at the Warrina Innisfail Facility – on the day on which the care ceases; or
• We are notified within 14 days before the day on which you cease to receive care at the Warrina Innisfail Facility – within 14 days after your notification; or
• We are not notified of your intentions – within 14 days after we cease to provide care to you; or
• In any other case – within 14 days of the happening of any of the circumstances set out above
At the time the refundable accommodation payment balance is refunded, we must also pay to you interest on the outstanding refundable accommodation payment balance calculated at the Base Interest Rate for the period from the day after the occurrence of that event until the date on which the refundable accommodation payment balance is refunded in full.
If any of the events referred to above occur and the refundable accommodation payment balance is refunded to you after 14 days from the occurrence of that event, then, at the time the refundable accommodation payment balance is refunded, Warrina Innisfail must:
• For the first 14 days after the relevant event has occurred, pay to you interest on the outstanding refundable accommodation payment balance calculated at the Base Interest Rate for a period 14 days; and
• Thereafter pay to you interest on the outstanding refundable accommodation payment balance calculated at the applicable Maximum Permissible Interest Rate until the date the refundable accommodation payment balance is refunded in full.
Since 1 October 2011 the Disclosure Standard contained within the User Rights Principles has required that residents paying accommodation payments must receive a statement that the approved provider will provide certain information within seven days of a request (refer section 23.42(1)(c) of the User Rights Principles).
Warrina Innisfail is the approved provider for Warrina Innisfail and Warrina Villanova Centre. Under the Aged Care Act 1997 (the Act), residents and prospective residents or their representatives are entitled to receive particular information from their approved provider on request.
This includes, in relation to the previous financial year:
• A summary of the permitted uses for which Warrina Innisfail has used refundable accommodation payments
• Information about whether Warrina Innisfail complied with the requirements for permitted uses of refundable accommodation payments and with the prudential requirements for refundable accommodation payments.
• Information about the number of refundable accommodation payment balances (if any) that were not refunded in accordance with the time frames set by the Act. For entry contributions (payable before 1997), information about the number (if any) that were not refunded in accordance with the entry contribution agreement
• A copy of the independent audit opinion on Warrina Innisfail compliance with the prudential requirements for accommodation payments
• Most recent statement of audited accounts of Warrina Innisfail.Warrina Innisfail must also provide:
• If you have already paid an refundable accommodation payment, a copy of your entry in the accommodation payments register
• If Warrina Innisfail invests refundable accommodation payments in particular kinds of permitted financial products, the investment objectives and the asset classes we may invest in.Residents, prospective residents or their representatives may request any or all of the available information. Warrina Innisfail must provide the information within seven days of the request, and the information must be correct at the time of the request.
Warrina Innisfail Admissions Manager will be happy to help with any further queries you may have: (07) 4030 2500
The Scheme Operator grants to the resident the exclusive right to reside in the Accommodation Unit by way of a ‘licence to occupy’ with the added advantage of not having to pay stamp duty, as in a freehold title.
Residents pay a weekly fee, which covers the costs associated with the day-to-day running and maintenance of the Village. These costs are apportioned to each Accommodation Unit on an “equal share” basis by way of a charge known as the General Services Charge. Fees are set as at the 1st July annually.
Current Fee rates as at July 2022:
• General Service Fund – $106.12 per week
• Maintenance Reserve Fund – $24.50 per week
All electricity costs are included in the General Service Fund fees. Electrical costs for running a fridge and washing machine are absorbed in this cost. Extra white goods (e.g. second fridge, a deepfreeze and clothes dryer) and air conditioner incur a fee of:
• 1 extra White Good – $3.50 per week
• 2 extra White Goods – $7.00 per week
• 3 extra White Goods – $10.50 per week
Queensland Government Energy Rebate discount is applicable to residents who hold a Pension, Seniors or Commonwealth Health Care Card. For Residents who are not eligible for the energy rebate, a separate charge will be incurred.
Contracts and Ingoing contribution must be finalised before entry into the village.
Warrina Innisfail stays independent from any sales process prior to entry into the Village.
We understand not everyone has the same capacity, needs and desires to join in social events within the village. You are always free to choose how much or how little – if at all – you wish to participate.
There is a local bus service operating with a bus shelter in front of the village. A bus timetable is available on request.
The Lakes Retirement Village is not a residential nursing home. Your unit is your private residence and arrangements for a home visit is between yourself and your doctor.
We strongly encourage the continued involvement of family and carers in all facets of your life, particularly if your family’s assistance with your medical management is important to you.
If there is any change in your condition or medication requirements, we would ask you or your family to inform the Village Manager so we are able to assist should an emergency situation arise.
Minor internal alterations and improvements can be made with the written consent of management. However, when the contract is terminated, the right is reserved to restore the property to its original condition at the expense of the outgoing Resident.
Each duplex is allocated one Dry and one Wet Waste Bin. Waste is collected early Tuesday morning. Wheelie bins are to be taken out to Emily Street on Monday afternoon. If you require assistance, maintenance/grounds person can be notified to collect and return bin for you.
We encourage residents who have a love of gardening to participate under the guidance of the grounds person in caring for the gardens and grounds within the village. Individual vegetable gardens may also be planted. Please discuss your preferences with management.
This is your home – to live in as you always have. We ask you to notify management of any visitors intending to stay overnight or for a period of up to three weeks. Where the intended visitor is under the age of eighteen years of age, the prior approval of the Scheme Operator is required.
In the event that the Resident intends for a visitor to stay for a period in excess of three weeks the Resident shall seek the prior written approval of the Scheme Operator. The Resident shall ensure visitors comply with the rules of the Village and shall not interfere with the rights and enjoyment of other Residents at the Village.
The Scheme Operator will have the right of controlling the sale of the Resident’s right to reside in the Accommodation Unit.
When you leave the Lakes Retirement Village your unit will be placed for resale. Your exit entitlement will be paid within 14 days after the settlement of sale of the right to reside to the next resident or the operator or nine (9) months after your residence contract terminates. (whichever is sooner)
The Exit Entitlement shall be calculated as a percentage of the Ingoing Contribution paid by the Resident depending on the period of time that has elapsed from the Commencement Date to the Termination Date.
The percentage of the Ingoing Contribution that is payable by the Resident as an Exit Fee is as follows:
YEAR TIME ELAPSED EXIT FEE (% of the Ingoing Contribution)
0 – 1 Less than 1 year 10% for the first year calculated daily
1 1 year or more but less than 2 years 10% for the first year plus 10% per annum calculated daily during the 2nd year
2 2 years or more but less than 3 years 20% for the first 2 years plus 10% per annum calculated daily during the 3rd year
3 3 years or more but less than 4 years 30% for the first 3 years plus 5% per annum calculated daily during the 4th year
4 4 years or more 35% (maximum Exit Fee)
Further conditions are outlined in our Prospective Cost Document .
We strongly recommend you always seek independent professional legal and financial advice before deciding to purchase a unit.
Legislation requires management to provide residents with financial statements showing income and expenditure in relation to services and upkeep of the Village.
At present Residents have chosen not to operate within the structure of a Resident’s Committee. Management holds meetings with Residents every third month.
The Lakes Retirement Village operates a 24 hour Emergency Response System utilising the Tunstall Emergency Response, which includes an alarm unit and alarm pendant. If you require assistance, the operator will contact the emergency services and your nominated family / friend to attend depending on your needs.
We welcome pets such as fish and caged birds. Dogs and cats are not permitted to permanently reside within the Accommodation Units but are permitted if accompanied by a visitor or are being cared for on a temporary basis by a resident for a period of no longer than seven days unless prior approval in writing from the Manager is obtained.
The Lakes Retirement Village consists of independent living units. All residents may continue to live within the Village until such time that they cannot live safely or securely or the Scheme Operator and a person who has assessed the Resident’s care needs under the Aged Care Act 1997 reasonably believes the Resident’s type of accommodation is now unsuitable for the Resident.
The current average age is 82 years. Residents may enter a Retirement Village at 65 years of age and over.
Residents may organise assistance to meet changing needs and continue to reside in their unit until such time they cannot live safely or securely.
The Lakes Retirement Village is bound by State Government legislation. Warrina Innisfail Aged Care is governed by Federal Government requirements.
Residents would need to be ACAT (Aged Care Assessment Team) assessed and application made to Warrina Innisfail for respite care.
If you have something specific you would like to ask us, contact us now.
We’d be delighted to assist.
