Aged care guide
Aged care assessment
Before choosing your new home, you’ll need to undergo an aged care assessment from the government.
The aged care assessment is conducted to assess the care needs of an individual and helps them access the most appropriate types of care, including approval for Australian Government subsidised care services.
To apply for an aged care assessment, you’ll need to:
visit the My Aged Care website to ‘Apply for an Assessment Online’ or
call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 between 8am and 8pm on weekdays and between 10am and 2pm on Saturdays (local time), or
book a face-to-face appointment with an Aged Care Specialist Officer (ACSO) at select Services Australia service centres by calling 1800 227 475 between 8am to 5pm on weekday
You may be able to get someone to help you with the assessment process such your registered supporter, family member or carer.
The assessment team will spend time with you and your family discussing what the process involves and visits you at home or at hospital if an in-person assessment is thought to be necessary.
Why do I need an aged care assessment?
Aged care assessments involve cognitive screening and checks on how you are managing day-to-day chores such as showering, cooking, shopping and cleaning.
You will be asked about your general health and what kind of help or care you feel you need.
The assessment will also consider what government funding options are available to you and:
approve your eligibility for the appropriate level of residential aged care
provide you with information about residential aged care and home care services in your area
help you arrange respite care if this is needed; and
approve your eligibility for a package of community/home care to help you to continue living at home or refer you to other services that will help you to continue living at home.
Having an aged care assessment does not mean you have to enter a residential aged care home, but not having one will delay the process should you need care.
Complete a Services Australia Financial assessment form
This form can be obtained through Services Australia
It’s not compulsory to complete an “Aged Care calculation of your cost of care” form. For those who choose not to complete this assessment, you’ll be charged the maximum means tested care fee and the full accommodation price.
Once you complete the form, return it to Services Australia. They will then send you an income and assets assessment letter. It could take up to six weeks before you receive the letter.
This letter details any costs you may need to contribute to your care and accommodation and should be provided to your preferred care home.
Support for all
Whether you’re an older person or someone caring for an older person, support is available for people from all backgrounds and situations through the Australian Government’s My Aged Care website.
My Aged Care provides information and assistance to help people access the care they need, regardless of their language, culture, identity, or circumstances. This includes LGBTI communities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, veterans, and others.
You can find aged care information in many languages, including printable brochures, posters, and spoken translations, to make it easier to get started.
My Aged Care also offers accessible information and services for people with hearing or vision impairments, and for those who may have difficulty speaking or understanding English.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples can also connect to My Aged Care through Interpreter Connect and access culturally safe information and support.
Quick links to the Government's website:
Learn about the summary of steps to access aged care services.
Learn about the new Single Assessment System, designed to make it easier for older people to access government-funded aged care services as their needs change.
Learn about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander assessment.