DVA pensioners who are already residing in a nursing home or enter a nursing home before 1 October 1997 will, after that date, continue to be assessed according to the pre 1 October 1997 nursing home rules (home exempt for two years) as set out in the table below.
Pensioners who are already residing in hostels or enter hostels before 1 October 1997 will, after that date, still be able to be assessed under the pre 1 October 1997 nursing home rules (home exempt for two years) or hostel (entry contribution) rules - whichever is to their advantage. Such pensioners retain the right to swap between the two sets of rules at any time. These rules are also set out in the table below.
This DI should be read in conjunction with DI C13/98 which covers changes to aged care that have occurred since 1 October 1997.