If your family is starting to look into aged care, one of the first things you will hear is that you need an aged care assessment. And if you are like most families I speak with, your immediate reaction is somewhere between “what does that mean?” and “where do I even start?”
I want to demystify the whole process for you. An aged care assessment is not a test or judgement and does not commit you to anything. It is simply the gateway to start obtaining aged care services.
What Is an Aged Care Assessment?
An aged care assessment is a free, in-home conversation conducted by government-funded health professionals who determine your loved one’s care needs and the appropriate level of government-subsidised aged care services to meet these needs. The assessment covers a person’s health, daily living support needs and their personal goals around independence and living safely.
You may have heard it called an ACAT assessment; that stands for Aged Care Assessment Team, and the term is still widely used. Since December 2024, the government has unified all aged care assessments under a single national system. If you have been googling ACAT, you are in the right place.
Who Needs an Assessment?
Anyone who wants to access government-funded aged care services must first have an assessment. This includes residential aged care, Support at Home packages, respite care, and transition care. Without an approved assessment, you cannot access any of these services.
To be eligible, a person generally needs to be 65 years or older, or 50 years or older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. There are also provisions for people experiencing homelessness and those with early-onset conditions who may qualify at a younger age.
How Do You Start the Process?
You start by contacting My Aged Care, the Australian Government’s central access point for aged care services. You can call them on 1800 200 422 (Monday to Friday, 8 am to 8 pm, and Saturday 10 am to 2 pm) or register online at myagedcare.gov.au. Either you or someone acting on your behalf a family member, GP, or hospital social worker can make the initial contact.
During this first call, My Aged Care will ask some basic questions about your loved one’s health, mobility, living situation, and what kind of support they need. Based on this screening, they will refer you to the appropriate assessment type and level. From there, an assessor will be in touch to arrange a time.
The important thing to know is that you can and should start this process before a crisis hits. Getting registered with My Aged Care costs nothing and commits you to nothing. It simply means the clock has started.
If the situation is urgent, for example, following a hospital admission or when there is a safety concern at home, assessments can be arranged within quicker time frames. When you call My Aged Care, make sure you clearly explain the urgency so this is recorded on the file from the outset.
What Actually Happens During the Assessment?
Once the assessment is complete, you will receive a letter from My Aged Care outlining the outcome, what types of care your loved one has been approved for and a referral code that you use to connect with service providers.
If you disagree with the outcome of the assessment, you have the right to request a review or reassessment through My Aged Care.
How to Make the Most of the Assessment
The most common mistake families make at assessment is understating the level of difficulty their loved one is experiencing.
People naturally want to appear capable and independent, especially in front of a stranger. This is completely understandable, but it can mean the assessment does not fully capture what is actually happening at home.
Before the assessment, it helps to write down the things your loved one finds difficult and provide specific examples to the assessor during the meeting. Think through a typical week: what tasks are they struggling with, what tasks are they avoiding, and what concerns do you have about their safety? A carer’s statement, a written account of what you observe day-to-day, can also be handed to the assessor and often provides very useful context.
You Do Not Have to Work This Out Alone
Navigating the aged care system for the first time is a lot to take on, particularly when you are already managing the emotional weight of watching a parent or partner need more support. Knowing what to expect at each step, and having someone in your corner who can help you prepare and advocate, makes an enormous difference.
At Navigate Aged Care Solutions, I support Perth families through the entire aged care journey from the very first My Aged Care call through to finding the right residential placement or home care arrangement. If you would like to talk through where you are in the process, please get in touch. I am always happy to help you make sense of what comes next.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an aged care assessment free?
Yes. The assessment itself is completely free and is fully funded by the Australian Government. There is no cost to you or your family at any point in the assessment process.
Do I have to be in crisis to apply for an assessment?
No. In fact, the earlier you apply, the better. Completing an assessment before care is urgently needed means more options are available to you, and you are not making decisions under pressure.
Can someone else apply on my behalf?
Yes. A family member, carer, GP, or hospital social worker can contact My Aged Care and initiate the process on your behalf, as long as you give your consent for them to do so.
Does getting assessed mean I have to move into aged care?
No. An assessment only determines what care you are eligible for. It does not commit you to any particular type of care or provider. You are in control of what happens next.
What if my loved one's needs become more urgent after the assessment?
You can contact My Aged Care to request an urgent reassessment at any time if your loved one’s circumstances change significantly. Make sure you clearly communicate the urgency when you call.
How do I contact My Aged Care?
Call 1800 200 422 (Monday to Friday, 8 am to 8 pm, and Saturday 10 am to 2 pm AEST), or visit myagedcare.gov.au to register online.