Faversham House

BASSCARE Retirement Communities: Communities, Care and Locations

BASSCARE is a not-for-profit retirement living provider with more than 65 years' experience and retirement communities in Boroondara, Melbourne's inner east, Victoria. Find a BASSCARE community near you below, or read on for costs, care details and what sets BASSCARE apart. If you are thinking about downsizing in Melbourne's inner east, this page explains what BASSCARE offers, how care and support work and which questions are worth asking before you visit.

Quick facts

About BASSCARE

BASSCARE has been part of Boroondara, in Melbourne's inner east, since 1957. Its Hester Canterbury village has independent living apartments, and its Morgan Glen Iris village offers assisted living and serviced apartments. Because the two villages offer different kinds of accommodation, it is worth deciding which type suits you before you start comparing details. Visiting both, if you can, gives you a clearer sense of how independent living and assisted living differ in day-to-day life.

BASSCARE takes care of building maintenance, insurance and the upkeep of common areas. That leaves your time free for friends, family and the activities on offer. Amenities and activities vary by community, so look closely at the one you are considering rather than assuming the same features apply everywhere.

Its Hester Canterbury and Morgan Glen Iris villages uphold the Retirement Living Code of Conduct, the retirement living industry's own voluntary code setting standards for how operators treat residents. It was developed with residents and endorsed by the Property Council of Australia and LASA, so the standards reflect what residents themselves expect. BASSCARE is a not-for-profit organisation and owns and operates its communities itself.

Costs & fees

For a current price, call BASSCARE directly on (03) 8809 4000 or enquire through the listing for the community you're interested in. Prices are best confirmed with the team rather than estimated from a general page like this one. When you get in touch, ask what the price includes, what you would pay on an ongoing basis and what happens when you eventually leave or sell. Having those answers in writing makes it much easier to compare BASSCARE with the other options on your list.

Care & lifestyle services

You can stay independent for longer in your own home, with support added as your needs change. Optional home care, shopping, transport and evening meal services are available, along with personalised support and visiting health professionals. A 24/7 emergency call system is in place, and once you are approved for a care package, you have 56 days to choose a provider, with help along the way.

Residential aged care sits next door to Hester Canterbury, so higher care is within easy reach. Assisted living and serviced apartments are available at Morgan Glen Iris, so it is worth asking at each community you consider. It is sensible to raise questions about future care early, so you understand which services are available where, and how you would access them if your needs change. Writing your questions down before you call helps make sure nothing is missed.

Shared spaces include a club lounge with a bar and fireplace, a library overlooking landscaped gardens, a gym and a cinema. Exercise classes and shared refreshments add to the social calendar. The mix of facilities and activities varies by community. If a particular facility matters to you, ask to see it when you visit and confirm that it is offered at the community you are considering.

What makes BASSCARE different

BASSCARE is a not-for-profit organisation rooted in Boroondara for more than 65 years, and it reinvests every dollar into living and care experiences. That means what BASSCARE earns goes back into the place you live and the support you receive. Its boutique scale keeps the focus on Hester Canterbury and the care services close to it.

Hester Canterbury residents rate 4.5 out of 5, with an overall satisfaction rating of 85 out of 100 in 2022. That rating draws on 10 years of research and in-depth resident engagement. Ratings like this are a useful starting point, and a visit lets you test them against your own impressions of the village and the people who live there.

Last updated: October 2026.