Australian aged care firm accused in class action of charging residents for high teas and classes they couldn’t use

<p>Arcare says it’s unable to comment on the federal court case in which it’s alleged it illegally charged fees</p><ul><li><p>Get our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=cvau_sfl">breaking news email</a>, <a href="https://app.adjust.com/w4u7jx3">free app</a> or <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/series/full-story?CMP=cvau_sfl">daily news podcast</a></p></li></ul><p>Residents at one of Australia’s largest <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/jul/02/australian-aged-care-algorithm-tool-home-support-funding-human-override">aged care</a> providers have launched a class action lawsuit alleging fees for services such as high teas and exercise classes were illegally charged to clients who cannot use them due to immobility and other issues.</p><p>The suit, filed in the federal court, alleges residents of more than 50 Arcare aged care facilities across four states were charged a daily “additional services fee” by Arcare embedded within a “signature package” between July 2020 and July 2026. This includes fees paid by residents who are immobile, unable to swallow, or cognitively impaired.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/jul/06/australian-aged-care-firm-accused-in-class-action-of-charging-residents-for-high-teas-and-classes-they-couldnt-use-ntwnfb">Continue reading...</a>