Residential Care
We Care
Harbourside Residential Care delivers quality aged care services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Residential aged care offers accommodation and dedicated personal care support with daily activities, mobility equipment, medication assistance, all meals, personal care and assistance with access to other health services. Here at Harbourside we offer a perfect blend of independence and community living. Located in beautiful Shoal Bay, just across from the beach and near shopping and transport, our residence is surrounded by lush parks and landscaped gardens. We take pride in our skilled, friendly staff, including clinical care coordinators, registered nurses, lifestyle coordinators, personal care assistants, chefs, and allied health professionals.


We aim to create a welcoming and secure environment for residents and their families while providing a comprehensive range of aged care services. We aspire to be the preferred local provider for the Port Stephens community. Harbourside Residential Care comprises three distinct buildings, Carter House, Richardson House and Les Johnson House. Each ‘house’ has its communal areas consisting of lounge rooms, dining rooms, courtyards, smaller sitting rooms and areas for resident lifestyle and wellbeing activities. Outdoors there is plenty to enjoy with walking paths, BBQ areas, water features and al fresco dining areas.
Our Key Offerings
Care Services
- - Quality 24/7 care by Registered Nurses, supported by Personal Care Assistants
- - Personal Care Assistants
- - Dementia-friendly principles
- - Access to Clinical Care Coordinators
- - Palliative care
Health and Wellness
- - On-site physio, balance classes, and exercises
- - Monthly podiatry clinics
- - Pet therapy
Social and Lifestyle Activities
- - Scheduled Lifestyle & Activities Program
- - Men’s Group
- - Monthly resident meetings
- - Volunteers and community visitors
- - Fortnightly social bus outings
- - Weekly Happy Hour
- - Annual catered celebration luncheon and birthday party
- -Theme days (cultural, travel, or calendar events)
- - Live entertainment
- - Foxtel in lounge areas
Dining Options
- - Meals prepared fresh on-site by our chefs
- - Hot breakfast served three days per week
- - Additional hot menu choice at lunch
- - Glass of wine, beer, or soft drink with the main meal
Facilities and Amenities
- - On-site laundry Service
- - On-site hairdresser
Room Features
- - Rooms available to accommodate married couples
- - Fully furnished
- - Nurse Call System
- - Ensuite bathroom
- - In-room TV
- - Electric adjustable King single bed
- - Individually controlled air conditioning

Please note: Harbourside Residential Care charges an Additional Services fee of $17 per day for all residents. This fee supports the provision of enhanced lifestyle and comfort options designed to enrich your experience with us (please refer to the items with the additional Services icon). For residents eligible for full government assistance with accommodation costs, a discounted rate of 60% is available, ensuring accessibility for everyone.
Respite Care
Residential respite care, often referred to as short-term care, allows the primary carer to take a much-needed break, or to assist when extra care is needed for a person following a hospital stay or illness.
Palliative Care
Palliative care requires special attention. We have experienced, dedicated staff who are focussed on looking after residents and their families at this emotional time. Our team is trained to provide the highest level of comfort, support & care for residents nearing the end of life.
Room Pricing
Our rooms are of exceptional quality, offering both single and double rooms including rooms to accommodate married couples. Residents and their families are encouraged to personalise their spaces with their own pictures and photos.
Room | Dimensions | Price |
---|---|---|
Single Room with Shared Ensuite | 18m² -20m² | RAD $450,000 DAP $100.72 |
Standard Room with Shared Ensuite | 20m² - 22m² | RAD $475,000 DAP $106.32 | Deluxe Suite with Shared Ensuite | 27m² - 28m² | RAD $600,000 DAP $134.30 |
Standard Single Room with Ensuite | 20m² - 21m² | RAD $500,000 DAP $111.92 |
Deluxe Single Room with Ensuite | 21m² | RAD $525,000 DAP $117.51 |
Premium Single Room with Ensuite | 23m² | RAD $550,000 DAP $123.11 |
Suite | 25m² - 30m² | RAD $600,000 DAP $134.30 |
Deluxe Suite | 34m² - 35m² | RAD $650,000 DAP $145.49 |
Premium Suite | 35m² | RAD $700,000 DAP $156.68 |
Understanding the cost of living in an aged care facility
When arranging aged care, understanding the different fees are crucial for informed decision-making, ensuring financial transparency and planning effectively for the future.
Accomodation Fee
Depending on your financial situation, you may need to contribute towards your accommodation in an aged care facility. This can be in the form of a refundable lump sum, non-refundable daily payments, or a combination of both (hybrid).
If you decide to make a combined RAD and DAP payment, the DAP amount will be adjusted based on the lump sum amount paid. Below is an example of a combined RAD and DAP payment based on a RAD of $500,000.
In this example the resident has $250,000 available for part payment of the RAD. This means the DAP is worked out on the remaining $250,000 using an MPIR of 8.17%. DAP = 250,000 x 8.17% ÷ 365 DAP = $55.96 So instead of paying the full RAD of $500,000 the resident would pay a part RAD of $250,000 as well as a DAP of $55.96.
Lump Sum
If you decide to pay the full lump sum upon leaving Residential Aged Care, your lump sum (after any agreed deductions with the aged care home) will be refunded. The Australian Government ensures this refund.
Daily Payment
If you opt not to pay a lump sum for the refundable Accommodation Fee, you can choose to pay a non-refundable Daily Accommodation Fee instead. This fee is non-refundable because it is calculated based on the interest earnings associated with the room’s price, which is currently set at 8.42%.
For instance, if a room is priced at $400,000, the daily fee would be calculated at 8.42% of that amount, resulting in a charge of $92.27 per day
Hybrid Fee
You can also choose to pay a portion of the lump sum upfront and then make a reduced daily payment. This daily fee will be based on 8.42% of the remaining lump sum amount.
Government Assistance
Government assistance and when this might be available to you.
- If your annual income is less than $33,849.40 and your assets are below $61,500.00, you won’t be required to pay the Accommodation Fee.
- Conversely, if your income exceeds $84,656.52 per year and your assets are over $206,663.20, you will be responsible for the full accommodation fee.
- For those with income or assets between these two thresholds, you may qualify for certain government subsidies. For more details, visit My Aged Care.
To receive government assistance, it’s essential to complete a Combined Asset and Income Assessment. This assessment enables the Department of Human Services or the Department of Veterans Affairs to determine your eligibility for government support.
Important to note: Even if your income or assets exceed the current threshold for accommodation support, it’s still crucial to complete the assessment. This helps you avoid being charged the default means-tested fee for those who do not disclose their assets, which is approximately $250 per day.
For an estimate of the fees you might incur when entering an aged care facility, consider using the My Aged Care Residential Fee Estimator.
What do I need to do to access Residential Aged Care?
To get started, you will need to follow the steps below. Our friendly, knowledgeable staff are always available to give you or your family advice as you go through the steps. To book a personal tour call our team on 02 4984 1811 or email admissions@harboursideps.com.au
Get An Assessment
Your local Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) representative will need to come to your home and complete an assessment of your lifestyle, health and medical history before advising you of your eligibility for a residential aged care home. You are welcome to have a family member or friend with you for support. To organise your assessment call MyAgedCare. Visit their website myagedcare.gov.au.
Find The Right Home
Once you have approval from ACAT, it’s time to find out how we can meet your care needs & check what vacancies we have. Discover the features of Harbourside Residential by contacting a member of our team. We will require your ACAT referral codes & confirmation of your eligibility to receive the services you are seeking. When the time is right, we can organise a tour of one of our homes.
Understand The Costs
To give you peace of mind, make sure you understand the costs involved in entering a residential home and how you can pay for them. MyAgedCare provides comprehensive information on costs and fees. You are also able to speak with a member of our team if you would like more information or have further questions.
Apply For Care
Now that you are ready to enter Harbourside Residential, there is a process to follow to comply with Government regulations. This will assist you in feeling informed & confident in the services that we will provide. A member of our team will guide you through this.