Elevate every day.
For every resident.
A specialist guide to designing, pricing and delivering a compliant Higher Everyday Living Fee program.
What is the Higher Everyday Living Fee?
From 1 November 2025, the Higher Everyday Living Fee (HELF) replaced the previous Extra Service Fee (ESF) and Additional Service Fee (ASF) arrangements under the new Aged Care Act 2024.
HELF is an optional fee that allows residents to choose services above and beyond the standard requirements of residential aged care, tailored entirely to their individual preferences and lifestyle.
Residents control which services they want, nothing is forced
Providers generate additional revenue while improving resident wellbeing
A separate, compliant HELF agreement must be in place before charging
All ESF/ASF arrangements will cease from 31 October 2026
"Enhanced wellbeing, increased revenue and a sharper market position, all from one resident-centred program."
Specialists in HELF program design
We're a specialist aged care education and training provider with deep expertise in HELF program design and implementation. We can support you across the full pathway, end-to-end, or wherever you need us most.
We manage each step with you. From discovery, through to a live and compliant program with agreements signed, or step in at whichever stage you need support.
Our Complete Service Offering
We develop bespoke HELF service programs tailored to your resident demographics, facility capabilities and commercial objectives. Every service reflects genuine value with things residents actually want.
Sustainable and transparent pricing structures that are commercially viable from day one, and built for your market.
Role specific training for executive, nursing, administration and floor teams.
We recommend the Resident Select software platform that enables staff to generate personalised HELF quotes and produce fully compliant HELF agreements digitally via DocuSign.
Managing the transition of your existing ESF/ASF residents into compliant HELF agreements with minimal disruption or revenue loss.
Providers that invest in a structured HELF program with well-trained staff, a clear strategic workflow and resident-centred design see significantly higher uptake that supports a stable revenue stream and overall resident satisfaction.
Achieving these outcomes requires detailed planning and program design. Implementation typically takes around 12 weeks, to allow your organisation adequate time to embed the program.
Implementation Process
A phased rollout helps ensure programs are implemented thoughtfully and effectively, supporting both compliance and sustainable outcomes. The recommended approach below provides an indicative timeline based on a mid-sized home.
Discovery and Design
Establish a clear understanding of the home, its residents, market position and staff readiness.
Staff Training
Build staff confidence and capability across all roles through targeted technical, compliance and customer conversation training.
Soft Launch
Introduce HELF gradually with a controlled group of new admissions and interested existing residents.
Full Rollout
Expand HELF availability across the home through a structured, resident-centred transition process.
Stabilisation and Review
Embed HELF into everyday operations through ongoing monitoring, resident satisfaction checks, service delivery tracking and continuous improvement.
Timeframes can be adjusted according to home size, resident acuity and the volume of existing ESF/ASF residents requiring transition.
Kim Hunt
GM Education and Training
Kim is a highly accomplished Senior Aged Care Executive with over 18 years of experience providing strategic leadership, education and training, and operational support across the aged care sector. She is recognised for her ability to align compliance, commercial performance, and customer experience to deliver sustainable business growth in an evolving regulatory environment.
With a unique blend of industry expertise, sales and marketing strategy, and interior design insight, Kim consistently drives improved occupancy, optimised RAD outcomes, and enhanced service appeal. Her leadership is underpinned by a strong commitment to education and capability development, designing and delivering targeted training programs that empower executives, managers, sales teams, and frontline staff to confidently convert enquiries, strengthen relationships, and position their organisations as providers of choice.
Kim has successfully led organisations through periods of significant sector change, including the latest transition to the Aged Care Act 2025. Highly regarded for her relationship-building capability, Kim excels in stakeholder engagement across residents, families, boards, regulators, and external partners.
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Everything you need to understand HELF and how Provider Pulse can support your implementation.
HELF Guide
A specialist guide to designing, pricing and delivering a compliant Higher Everyday Living Fee program.
Download the HELF GuidePrice List
Education and training session options, pricing and program details for aged care providers.
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