SA485 Property Details Form

What Is the SA485 Form?

The SA485 Residential Aged Care Property Details form is a government form issued by Services Australia (Centrelink) for people who are entering Commonwealth-regulated residential aged care in Australia and who currently receive an Australian pension or income support payment.

The SA485 helps Services Australia collect specific details about any real estate assets you own — most commonly your former family home, farm, or other real property — so that they can accurately calculate your means tested care fees and eligibility for certain subsidies.

The value of your home or property can have a significant impact on how much you will pay for residential aged care. Completing the SA485 correctly ensures you get the right fee assessments and avoids underpaying or overpaying for your care.

Centrelink SA485 Form Download

The SA485 Form (Property Details) can be downloaded from:

    SA485 Form (Property Details) Download.

Why Do I Need to Complete the SA485?

When you move into permanent residential aged care, the Australian Government looks at both your income and your assets to decide:

• How much you can pay towards your daily care costs.
• How much the government will subsidise for you.
• Whether you need to pay an Accommodation Payment (Refundable Accommodation Deposit or Daily Accommodation Payment) and how much.

The means test includes any real estate you own — not just your main home. The SA485 form provides Centrelink with all the details they need to calculate the assessable value of your property.

This includes:

• Whether your former home will be exempt from the assets test (e.g., if your spouse or a protected person still lives there).
• Whether the property is a farm that might qualify for special treatment under the “extended land use test”.

Without this information, you risk delays in your means testing, which could lead to unexpected fees or reduced subsidies.

Who Needs to Fill Out the SA485?

Generally, you’ll be asked to complete the SA485 if:

• You currently receive a Centrelink or DVA pension or income support payment.
• You’re about to move permanently into a Commonwealth-regulated residential aged care facility.
• You own (or partly own) real estate property, including your principal home, a holiday house, rental property, or a farm.

If you don’t own any real estate, you may not need to complete the SA485. But it’s always wise to check with Centrelink or your aged care provider to be sure.

When Should You Complete the SA485?

It’s best to complete and submit the SA485 form as soon as possible when you are planning to enter permanent residential aged care. This will help Services Australia finalise your means test and calculate your care fees promptly.

Delays in providing this information can mean you pay higher default fees until the correct assessment is made. It can also affect your pension payments if your asset details are outdated.

What Information Does the SA485 Collect?

The SA485 form asks for detailed information about:

• Address and description: The location of your property, its title details, and a description of what it’s used for (e.g., family home, farm, rental).
• Ownership: Who legally owns the property? Do you own it solely, jointly with a partner, or with other family members?
• Residents: Who currently lives there? This is crucial because if a “protected person” lives in your home (such as a spouse, dependent child, or carer who meets certain criteria), your home might be exempt from the assets test or have its value capped.
• Property value: An estimate of the property’s market value. You may need to supply recent valuations, council rates, or other supporting documents.
• Debts secured against the property: Any mortgages, loans, or other financial interests that reduce its net value.

These details help Centrelink assess how your property should be treated under the assets test rules.

Key Points About Your Family Home

For many people, the family home is their largest asset. Here’s how it usually works:

• If your spouse or dependent child will continue to live in your home, its value is exempt from the means test.
• If certain “protected people” (like a long-term carer or close relative) live there and meet eligibility rules, the home may also be exempt.
• If the home is not exempt, only a capped amount of its value is counted in your assets test for aged care fees. For the 2024–25 financial year, this cap is $201,231.20 (this figure changes each year).

The SA485 asks for all these details to ensure your home is treated correctly in your fee calculations.

Special Rules for Farms and the “Extended Land Use Test”

If you own a working farm, the rules can be a bit different. Under the “extended land use test”, farmland that is used on a continuing basis to support your principal home may receive special treatment, meaning part of the land may be exempt from the assets test.

The SA485 collects information about:

• How the farm is used and by whom.
• Whether the farm generates income.
• Who works the farm — for example, family members who live there and operate the business.

Centrelink uses this information to determine whether you qualify for the extended land use exemption. This can significantly reduce your assessable assets if you own a large rural property.

Supporting Documents You May Need

When you submit the SA485, you may be asked to provide documents such as:

• Recent council rate notices or valuations.
• Mortgage statements showing any debts secured against the property.
• Evidence that a protected person lives in the property (e.g., lease or utility bills).
• Proof of farm operations if you’re applying the extended land use test.

Providing clear, up-to-date documents will help speed up your means testing and ensure you’re charged the correct fees.

How to Complete and Submit the SA485

You can download the SA485 form from the Services Australia website or ask Centrelink to post you a paper copy. If you work with a Centrelink Financial Information Service (FIS) officer, they can help you understand what’s required.

Follow these tips:

• Read each section carefully — make sure your details are complete and accurate.
• Attach all supporting documents to avoid delays.
• Keep a copy for your records and for your family or representative.
• Submit the form to Centrelink via your preferred channel: online upload (via myGov), mail, or in person at a Services Australia service centre.

What Happens After You Submit the SA485?

Once Centrelink receives your completed SA485, they will:

• Review the details about your property ownership and value.
• Apply any relevant exemptions or caps for the means test.
• Issue you with an updated fee advice letter that sets out your Basic Daily Fee, Means Tested Care Fee, and any Accommodation Payment obligations.
• Update your pension entitlements if your total assessable assets change significantly.

If there are any issues with your form or missing information, Centrelink may contact you (or your nominated representative) for clarification. It’s important to respond quickly to avoid delays.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

People often make small errors that can hold up their means testing:

• Forgetting to disclose a co-owner or joint ownership arrangement.
• Using an outdated property valuation.
• Not declaring a current resident who may be a “protected person”.
• Missing paperwork for mortgages or debts against the property.
• Confusing the SA485 with the separate SA457 Residential Aged Care Calculation of Your Cost of Care form (which covers all income and assets).

If you’re unsure, speak to a Financial Information Service (FIS) officer or a trusted aged care financial adviser.

How Does This Affect Your Costs?

The information on your SA485 helps determine:

• If you pay the full cost of your accommodation or if you receive government help.
• How much you pay in Means Tested Care Fees each day.
• Whether your pension payments stay the same, decrease, or increase.

It’s not uncommon for people to underestimate the impact that their property has on their ongoing aged care costs. An accurate, complete SA485 helps you plan for these expenses and avoid surprises.

Getting Help with the SA485

If you need help completing your form, you have options:

• Speak with your aged care facility’s admission team — they often assist residents and families with paperwork.
• Contact the Centrelink Financial Information Service (FIS) on 132 300 for free help understanding the form.
• Talk to an accredited aged care financial adviser for more detailed planning — especially if you have complex property interests.
• Visit the Services Australia ( SA 485 ) for the up-to-date form and guide.

Final Thoughts on the SA485 Form

Moving into residential aged care can be an emotional and complex time. Understanding how your property affects your means test is crucial for protecting your financial future and making sure you only pay what you should.

The SA485 form helps you do exactly that — by ensuring Services Australia has all the right details about your property and living arrangements. Take your time to complete it carefully, ask questions if you need help, and keep copies of everything you submit.