In this guide:
A key step to receiving aged care funding such as Support at Home, is completing an aged care assessment. These assessments are carried out by the Single Assessment System, a streamlined process for managing aged care assessments across Australia.
It’s helpful to understand what an aged care assessment involves so you can feel confident and prepared to answer questions about your needs.
Understanding the aged care assessment process
What is an aged care assessment?
An aged care assessment (sometimes called a home care assessment) is a comprehensive review that determines whether you’re eligible for government-funded aged care services.
You can be assessed for:
- Support at Home
- Short-term care pathways such as Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) Scheme or the Restorative Care Pathway
- Residential aged care.
Where will the aged care assessment take place?
Assessments take place in person, usually at home or in hospital if needed. You can have a family member or other trusted person with you during the assessment.
Who are the aged care needs assessors?
Assessors are part of the Single Assessment System workforce. Depending on your situation, you may be assessed by a clinical professional (like a nurse or doctor) or a trained assessor with access to clinical advice.
You can read more about the Single Assessment System in the government fact sheet, or in our Topic Library.
Does an aged care assessment cost me anything?
Getting an aged care assessment: Eligibility & application
Who can apply for an aged care assessment?
You may be eligible to be assessed for the Support at Home program if you are:
- Over the age of 65
- An Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person over the age of 50
- Over the age of 50 and homeless or at risk of homelessness.
Am I eligible for an aged care assessment?
How can I check if I'm eligible for an aged care assessment?
You can check your eligibility online by using the Assessment Eligibility Checker, or by calling My Aged Care to talk about your needs on 1800 200 422.
How do I apply for an aged care assessment?
There are 3 ways to do this:
- Online at the My Aged Care website
- Call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422
- Book a face-to-face appointment with an Aged Care Specialist Officer (ACSO) at select Services Australia service centres by calling 1800 277 475.
Can someone help me to apply for an aged care assessment?
A family member or other trusted person can also apply or check your eligibility on your behalf, if you authorise them to do so. It’s also possible for a care provider, such as your family GP, to refer you for an assessment.
Take a closer look at the steps to accessing Support at Home funding.
Preparing for your aged care assessment: Documents & questions
What do I need to have ready before my aged care assessment?
According to My Aged Care, you may need the following at your assessment:
- Your Medicare number
- Copies of any referrals from your GP
- Contact details of your GP or health professional
- Information about any current support you receive.
What questions will I be asked in the aged care assessment?
During the assessment, your assessor will ask you questions to understand your current situation and your needs. This helps to inform them of what type of support you may need to maintain or improve your independence.
Your assessor may ask you about:
- What support you already have
- Your health and lifestyle
- How you manage daily tasks and activities
- What medications (if any) that you take
- Any emotional, mental or physical health concerns you may have
- Your hobbies and interests.
What questions should I ask the assessor?
Before your assessment, consider questions you may want to ask, such as:
- What services might suit me?
- What support is available to my carer or support person?
- Are there culturally or religiously aligned service providers available?
- How can I get in touch with the assessor later?
Can I have someone with me in the assessment?
Yes, you can choose to have a family member, friend, carer or registered supporter with you during your assessment.
If English isn’t your first language, you can request an interpreter at any time during the process by contacting My Aged Care.
Learn more about arranging someone to be with you during the assessment.
How long will the aged care assessment take?
An aged care assessment typically takes 45 minutes to 2 hours to complete. The duration of the assessment is unique to individual circumstances and may vary depending on the complexity of your needs.
What to expect during your aged care assessment
Before the assessment: Consent and paperwork
Your assessor will confirm your consent to proceed and may ask for permission to speak with people supporting you, like a family member or carer.
If you’re being assessed for services like home care or residential care, you may also be asked to complete an Application for Care Form.
During the assessment: The questions asked and information gathered
Your assessor will already have a copy of the information you have already provided My Aged Care. They’ll build on this by asking questions about the following or other similar questions:
- The support you currently have
- Your health and any medical concerns
- Memory or cognitive issues
- Your lifestyle and daily routine
- Your involvement in community or family life.
Together, you’ll create a support plan that outlines where support may be needed, what level of care is appropriate, and your personal goals and preferences. This helps ensure your services are relevant and meaningful to you.
Your rights during the assessment
You have the right to:
- Be treated with respect and dignity
- Understand what’s happening at every stage
- Share your views, concerns and ideas
- Have your information kept private
- Be supported by an interpreter, friend or carer
- Access an independent advocate if you’d like one.
After the assessment: Notification of results and eligibility
Once your assessment is complete, the assessor will make a formal decision about your care needs. You’ll be notified if you’re eligible for services like Support at Home, residential aged care, or other types of support.
What to expect after the aged Care assessment: Next steps
What happens after I've been assessed as eligible for services?
If you become approved for Support at Home, you will be given your funding classification and be placed on a priority list, meaning you won’t immediately receive your funding.
Luckily, in the meantime, you can book independent support workers on Mable and pay privately for home care services. While you’re waiting, you can also search for and choose a Support at Home provider.
What should I do after I've received my approved funding?
When your funding is ready, you will receive a letter from My Aged Care letting you know that you’ve been allocated Support at Home funding.
Once you receive your letter, you have 56 days to select a provider, enter a service agreement and start your support services.
If you have chosen to self-manage your care, you can begin to build your team of support workers on Mable.
Booking and managing support through Mable means:
- You have choice and control over who supports you, when and where they support you, and how much you pay for the support
- You’re safeguarded by Mable’s verification of support workers and the high-level suite of insurances arranged by Mable on behalf of support workers.
Frequently asked questions
Can I track the status of my assessment application?
Yes. Log in to your My Aged Care account to view updates. If successful, an assessor will contact you within two weeks to schedule your assessment.
What if I'm not eligible for an aged care assessment?
Even if you're not eligible, you can still connect with independent support workers through Mable and pay privately for support services.
If significant time has passed since you were last deemed ineligible for an aged care assessment, your needs may have changed. You can ask for a reassessment by calling My Aged Care on 1800 200 422.
What if I don't want to take an aged care assessment?
If you don't want to participate in an aged care assessment, you can choose an aged care provider that isn't government funded. Please note that this means you will have to pay the full cost of your care.
I've had an aged care assessment, but my needs have changed. What should I do?
It's possible that your circumstances have changed since the last time you were assessed. Perhaps the tasks that you could do previously have become more difficult or unmanageable for you. If you're already receiving subsidised aged care services, but need to be reassessed:
- Speak to your current provider to review your care plan
- Your service provider will contact your My Aged Care assessor.
I just want one specific service. Do I need to have an assessment?
Yes, you will need to have an aged care assessment before accessing any government-funded support service.
The goal of the assessment is to determine your eligibility for support services, and what level of support you should receive based on your needs. Without an assessment, providers can't claim the government subsidy on your behalf, meaning that you would need to pay the full cost of the service privately.
This article, and any of our linked documents or articles, provides our summary of Support at Home terms and is intended for general purposes only. Please contact My Aged Care for information specific to your circumstances.