Getting an aged care assessment: the steps and what the assessor asks

Before you can get government-funded aged care, whether that is help at home or a place in a residential home, you need an assessment. It is the gateway to everything else. This guide walks you through the steps, tells you what the assessor will ask, and gives you a way to prepare so you get a fair result.

The system changed recently, so if a friend went through this a couple of years ago, their experience may not match yours.

The Single Assessment System replaced ACAT and RAS

Until late 2024, two different teams did aged care assessments: ACAT (the Aged Care Assessment Team) for higher needs, and RAS (the Regional Assessment Service) for lower needs. On 9 December 2024 those were merged into one Single Assessment System. Now a single national process assesses everyone, using a standard tool. You can read the official explanation on the Department of Health website.

One assessment, one process, whether your needs are large or small.

Step by step: how to get assessed

Step 1: Make the call

Phone My Aged Care on 1800 200 422. The lines are open Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm, and Saturday 10am to 2pm. You can also register online.

Anyone can make this call: you, a family member, a carer, your GP, or a hospital social worker, as long as the older person consents. The call takes around 15 to 20 minutes.

Step 2: The phone screening

On that first call, My Aged Care asks some basic questions about how you are managing day to day. This is a screening, not the full assessment. It works out what kind of assessment you need and refers you to a local assessment organisation.

Step 3: A triage call to book your assessment

Within about two weeks, an assessor or triage delegate calls to confirm your needs and book your assessment. They will arrange a time to visit.

Step 4: The home visit

An assessor comes to your home (or to hospital, if you are there) and completes the assessment in person using the Integrated Assessment Tool. This is the main event and usually takes around an hour, sometimes longer. Have someone with you if it helps.

Step 5: Your outcome letter and support plan

After the visit you receive an outcome letter, sometimes called a Notice of Decision, along with a support plan setting out what you have been approved for and your next steps. If you are approved for Support at Home, the letter tells you your funding level.

The Integrated Assessment Tool: what it actually does

The assessor uses a standard tool called the Integrated Assessment Tool (IAT). It covers 12 sections and embeds 11 clinically validated assessment tools that used to be done separately, per the assessment tools page on health.gov.au. The full process overview is published on health.gov.au.

It uses adaptive questioning, which means the questions change based on your earlier answers. If something flags a concern, it digs deeper there; if an area is fine, it moves on. That keeps the assessment focused.

What the assessor asks

The assessment is broader than just your medical history. Expect questions about:

• Daily tasks. Can you shower, dress, cook, clean, manage the laundry and the shopping on your own?
• Mobility and falls. How steady are you? Have you had falls? Do you use a walker or other aids?
• Health and medications. Your conditions, your medicines, who manages them.
• Cognition and memory. How is your thinking and memory? This is asked sensitively, not as a test you can fail.
• Your living situation. Who else is at home, what supports you already have, the layout and safety of your house.
• Your supports. Family, friends, neighbours, any carers and how much they do.
• Your goals and preferences. What matters to you, what you want to keep doing, where you want to live. This part genuinely shapes your plan.

That last point is worth dwelling on. The assessment captures your goals and lifestyle, not just your medical needs. It is meant to give you a say in the kind of support you get.

How to prepare (and get a fair result)

This is where a little preparation makes a real difference. Assessors can only act on what they see and hear, so do not undersell your difficulties.

• Do not put on a brave face. Many people, especially of an older generation, instinctively say "I'm fine, I manage." Describe a normal day honestly, including the bits you struggle with.
• Have a support person there. A family member or friend can prompt you and back up your account. You are allowed and encouraged to have one.
• Write down your worst days. Care needs vary. Mention the hard days, not just the good ones.
• List your medications. Have your medicines, doses and conditions ready. Your pharmacy or GP practice can print a list.
• Note recent changes. Falls, a hospital stay, a new diagnosis, weight loss. These all matter.
• Think about your goals. What do you want help to keep doing? Gardening, getting to your community centre, staying in your own home?

What if you disagree with the outcome?

You can ask for a review of the decision. If your needs were not properly captured, or your circumstances have changed, you can request a reassessment through My Aged Care. Keep notes of dates and names from your assessment in case you need them.

After the assessment

Approval is not the same as services starting. For Support at Home, you may go onto a national priority queue before your funding is released. We cover what to expect, and what to do while you wait, in our guide to the Support at Home waiting list.

In the meantime you can start looking at providers so you are ready to move when your funding comes through. Browse our home care directory or, if residential care is on the table, residential aged care. A short break for a carer can be arranged through respite care.

Frequently asked questions

Does the assessment cost anything? No. The assessment itself is free.

How long does it take to get assessed? A triage call usually comes within about two weeks of your first call, then the home visit is booked from there. Demand varies by area.

Can my family be involved? Yes. With your consent, family can make the first call, be present at the assessment, and help you prepare.

What if I am in hospital? Assessments can be done in hospital, which often helps arrange support before you are discharged. Ask the hospital social worker.

Do I have to accept what I am approved for? No. The assessment opens the door; you choose your provider and shape your plan from there.