How to apply for an aged care assessment, step by step

Every kind of government-funded aged care starts in the same place: an assessment. It doesn’t matter whether you’re after a bit of help with cleaning, a full Support at Home budget, or a place in an aged care home. The form is the same.

Before you start

Have these handy:

• The Medicare card of the person who needs care
• Their address and phone number
• If you’re applying for someone else, their permission, and your own details too
• A rough list of what they’re finding hard: showering, cleaning, shopping, getting to appointments, meals, the garden

Applying online

The My Aged Care online application takes about 15 to 20 minutes and comes in three parts.

1. Their needs. A few questions about how they’re managing day to day. This helps decide whether an assessment is the right next step. About 5 minutes.
2. Their details. Name, Medicare card and contact details, and yours if you’re applying for someone or want to be their representative. About 10 minutes.
3. Arranging the assessment. Who the assessor should contact to set up the visit. About 5 minutes.

Start at myagedcare.gov.au.

Applying by phone or in person

If forms aren’t your thing, call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422. Or go to a Services Australia service centre: in many areas, Aged Care Specialist Officers can help you face to face. In Mallacoota, the council has run information sessions with one at the local service centre.

Getting ready for the assessor

An assessor will contact you to arrange a time, usually at home. The visit is a conversation about what life is like now, and it decides what help is approved and at what level, so it’s worth preparing.

• Be honest about the hard days, not just the good ones. Many older people play things down in front of a stranger.
• Have someone there. A family member or friend can fill in gaps and take notes.
• Write a list beforehand of what’s difficult, any falls or near misses, medications, and what help is already coming from family.
• Mention the house and the town. Steps, a steep drive or no public transport all matter, especially in the country.

What happens next

You’ll get a letter setting out the services you’re approved for and, for Support at Home, your classification. Keep it safe: providers will ask for it. There can then be a wait before the funding starts. Our guide to Support at Home in plain English explains what the classification means and what you might pay.

If you’d like someone to help with the application or sit in on the assessment by phone, Colin can help. Ask whether your provider can fund this help.