How to prepare for an aged care assessment

In order to receive funding for aged care services, your loved one needs to be assessed by an aged care assessor to determine their eligibility for a government funding.

Here we explain what an assessment is and how to prepare for the best possible outcome.

Step 1: Find out if you’re eligible for an assessment

Before you or your loved one can be assessed, you need to make sure you’re eligible. You need to be 65 years or older (50 years or older for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people) to be eligible. You also have to be needing help with some everyday tasks. Check if you or your loved one are eligible at My Aged Care.

Many people misunderstand the purpose of an assessment and think it’s just for people wanting to go into an aged care nursing home. This isn’t true.

While the assessor can approve an individual for an aged care nursing home and respite, the government wants as many people as possible living in the homes and communities they love for as long as possible.

The assessment is designed to support this goal and help you or your loved one access government funding for home care if needed.

Step 2: Apply for an assessment

If you’re eligible, you can book in for an assessment online or by calling 1800 200 422.

You will need to provide information about you or your loved one’s current situation and who the assessor can contact. Once you’ve added your details, the assessor will contact you to arrange an assessment.

Step 3: Get ready for your assessment

If eligible, you’ll have an in-home or telehealth assessment, where an assessor talks with you about your health, daily needs, and goals. The goal of the aged care assessment is to determine the support and care a person needs to remain living in their home safely and happily.

You’ll be asked about:

• What you can do for yourself, and what you are seeking assistance with. Write down the tasks you find difficult (e.g. cooking, showering, cleaning).
• Any health concerns. Have medical records or hospital notes on hand.
• How you are managing activities around the home.
• Your safety in the home.

To prepare for the assessment, make sure your loved one has:

• Their Medicare card
• Another form of ID, like a DVA card, driver's licence, healthcare card, or passport
• Referrals from their doctor
• A support person if they choose
• Any information about aged care services they want to discuss
• The GP or other health professional’s contact details

The assessment will take about 60 – 90 minutes. Be honest about your struggles — this helps match you to the right services.

Step 4: What happens after the assessment

Once approved, you’ll receive a Notice of Decision letter and a support plan that includes:

• Summary of your care needs and goals
• Your funding classification and quarterly budget
• The services you’re approved to access
• If relevant, short-term supports such as assistive technology, home modifications, the restorative care pathway, or the end-of-life pathway

This support plan is then shared with your chosen provider, who will work with you to put the right services in place.

They will also be placed on a national priority ‘queue’ for Support at Home and will be contacted when a suitable funding becomes available. You can visit My Aged Care to see what the expected wait time is, however it’s generally 1-3 months for people with a medium priority.