The transfers may or may not involve funds, depending on the organisations that apply, and the move is also designed to sell surplus land.

Opposition health spokeswoman Jillian Skinner called on the Government to rule out any residential development on the site.

A spokeswoman for the Health Minister said over the years the NSW Government had transferred 13 state-owned nursing homes to the private and non-profit sector.

She said all existing residents could be guaranteed of holding their place, although it may not remain in the same facility.

``Care of the existing aged-care residents will not be compromised,'' she said. ``A condition of the transfer is to maintain residential aged-care services to existing residents and the top priority will be to ensure minimum disruption to these residents.''

Ms Skinner said: ``The mini-budget has finally revealed Labor's plans privatise the facility and flog off the land to developers.''

``The Government's got to give a guarantee that aged-care services are returned and enhanced and there's no sale of land to mass residential development of commercial enterprise.''

The Government will seek expressions of interest from non-government organisations to acquire and run the residential aged-care places and, depending on who applies, will decide on a value for the places.

``While the timing of this process hasn't been determined, decisions will be made on a facility-by-facility basis and in consultation with the views of the community,'' the minister's spokeswoman said.

``The NSW Department of Health and area health services will work closely with the management of each of the remaining State Government facilities to prepare detailed plans to ensure each resident's accommodation needs will be met under any changed arrangements.

``The transfer process will also involve consultations with other key stakeholders including the families of the residents and the extended local community.''

The Government said existing staff will be offered employment options including a transfer to employment with the potential new operators of the aged care facilities or redeployment within NSW Health.