Australian aged care firm accused in class action of charging residents for high teas and classes they couldn’t use
Residents of Arcare aged‑care facilities claim they were illegally charged for services they could not use, prompting a class action lawsuit.Summary
Residents at more than 50 Arcare aged‑care facilities across four Australian states have filed a federal class action alleging that the for‑profit provider illegally charged them a daily “additional services fee” for items such as high teas, exercise classes, Foxtel, newspapers and in‑room Wi‑Fi that they could not use due to immobility, cognitive impairment or dietary restrictions. The claim contends that Arcare bundled these fees into a “signature package” presented as non‑negotiable, thereby exploiting residents’ vulnerable position and charging them based on perceived affordability rather than actual service value. Arcare has not yet responded to the lawsuit; a spokesperson said it would not comment on the proceedings but reaffirmed its commitment to quality care. The suit, represented by Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, seeks to recover fees from an estimated 7,500 affected residents and hold the company accountable for what the plaintiffs describe as systemic financial harm.
(Source：The Guardian)