Step 1: Eligibility

Assess whether you're eligible for government support

Aged care assessment- clinical needs and support

The first step you need to take is to find out your eligibility for government support. To do this you need to be assessed by an Aged Care Assessment Team - ACAT (known as Aged Care Assessment Services - ACAS - in Victoria).

An ACAT/ACAS assessment is required before any application for aged care services. Contact ACAT directly at 1800 200 422 or through the My Aged Care website. Alternatively, ask your local doctor or health centre to refer you to the nearest ACAT.

An ACAT representative will visit you at home to evaluate your daily living abilities, like cooking, cleaning, bathing, and shopping. They might consult with your doctor about your medical history to identify the most suitable aged care support for you. You're welcome to have a family member or caregiver join the visit.

Once you've had your assessment, ACAT will inform you if you qualify for government support for residential aged care. They'll either hand you the assessment report or mail it to you. The ACAT assessment is free and usually valid indefinitely unless specified for a certain time frame.

Types of support for which you may be eligible

Permanent care

Permanent care can range from assistance with personal care or day-to-day tasks to 24-hour nursing care for those with complex or high care needs.

Dementia care

Dementia care typically involves a higher level of care delivered in an environment designed specifically to meet the needs of people living with dementia.

Respite care

Temporary care that offers caregivers a break. It can be scheduled or emergency-based, for up to 63 days a year. Day respite options are also available in many Care Communities.

Palliative care

Palliative care is care that helps people live their life as fully and comfortably as possible when living with a life-limiting or terminal illness. This type of care may continue for an extended period of time and aims to support physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs. End-of-life care is the care provided in the last few hours, days, or weeks of life.

FAQs - aged care assessment and eligibility

The Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) is a group of medical and allied health professionals who assess the physical, health, psychological, and social needs of elderly Australians. ACAT members include doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, and social workers.

An ACAT assessment is conducted by ACAT to determine the type and degree of care that a person considering aged care services such as residential aged care, transitional care or respite care needs. This assessment is for those wanting to find out if they are eligible for subsidised aged care services.
Based on this assessment, ACAT will recommend the most necessary care services and government support available to them.

There are no fees or costs to have an ACAT assessment.
To check if you are eligible for an ACAT assessment you can call My Aged Care at 1800 200 422 or apply online at https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/assessment/apply-online.
To prepare for an assessment, you will need:

•   A Medicare card and one additional ID

•   Any referrals from your GP.

•   Contact details of your GP and any other health professionals involved in your care.

•   To consider your own needs, conditions and any aged care services that interest you.

•   To consider if you would like a person to support you or an interpreter.
From your date of application, aged care assessments can take anywhere between 2 days to 6 weeks depending on the urgency of your situation.