TLC Healthcare says “NO” to HELF, with premium lifestyle services included as standard
8 October 2026Read time 6 min
TLC Healthcare has confirmed it will not charge the Higher Everyday Living Fee (HELF) at 10 of its 12 aged care homes. Almost 2,000 residents at those homes will receive a suite of more than 30 lifestyle and wellbeing services as standard, at no additional cost.
The announcement comes ahead of the 31 October deadline for providers to move residents onto HELF arrangements under the new Aged Care Act, and as parts of the sector question whether the fee is working for residents or providers.
TLC Healthcare Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Lou Pascuzzi said the decision was about making life in a TLC aged care home simpler and fairer for residents and families.
“Choosing aged care is already one of the hardest decisions a family makes, and the costs can be confusing, with many Australians experiencing exorbitant cost increases resultant of the recent Federal Government Means Testing rule changes. We didn’t want to add another fee on top. We also didn’t want a home where some residents enjoy a glass of wine with dinner or a session in the gym and others miss out because of what they can afford. At our HELF-free homes, these attributes are simply part of living with TLC.”
Services as standard at TLC’s HELF-free homes include, but are not limited to:
- a hot breakfast option every day
- round-the-clock access to the complimentary resident café, featuring automatic coffee machines that grind TLC’s very own Tramonto beans, one-touch hot chocolate, a range of snacks, and delicious treats for residents and visitors alike
- meal choices at every sitting
- a sports bar, with a glass of wine or beer on tap offered with lunch and dinner
- complimentary Pommery Champagne at all major in-house events
- complimentary, unlimited high-speed Wi-Fi, backed by gigabit connectivity at our homes, that supports streaming, allowing residents to watch Netflix, YouTube, catch-up TV and video call families on their own devices
- fully catered outings to TLC’s corporate boxes at Marvel and GMHBA stadiums to watch a game or concert
- access to onsite Bulk Billed General Practitioners (Doctors) every day
- an on-site Technogym gymnasium and group exercise classes led by TLC’s in-house allied health teams
- enhanced onsite physiotherapy, dietitians, podiatrists, specialist psychology and dementia support for residents
- a Smart TV, free local and national calls, and newspapers available daily
- weekly live entertainers, a movie theatre and regular bus outings
- art and virtual-reality “travel” programs
- Premium field trips, as part of our Wellbeing Program including yacht cruises, helicopter rides, and complimentary high-end restaurant visits
- a dedicated Resident Liaison Officer
Selected homes also offer in-room refrigerators, concierge service parking for visitors, hydrotherapy pools with allied health-led programs, on-site bowling & golf putting greens, as well as high-end concert programs including regular acts like The Black Sorrows, Jack Jones, Wendy Matthews, The Chantoozies, Mahalia Barnes, Ross Wilson et al – all included at no cost.
“The industry is having an honest conversation about whether HELF delivers value,” Mr Pascuzzi said. “We’ve made our decision, and we think families will appreciate the TLC difference.”
