How do I start the process of getting aged care support?
You do not need to work out the aged care system before you start. The usual first step is to apply for an aged care assessment through My Aged Care. You can apply online or call 1800 200 422, then an assessor will work out what government-funded support may suit your needs.
Key points
- You do not need to know which aged care program you need before applying.
- Applying for an assessment is the usual first step to government-funded aged care.
- Describe what is difficult in daily life, not just a diagnosis.
- After approval, you still need to choose a provider and confirm availability, services and costs.
You do not need to know whether you need CHSP, Support at Home or another aged care program before you begin. The aged care assessment process is designed to work that out with you.
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01Guide sectionStep 1: Apply for an aged care assessment
Applying for an assessment is the first formal step to accessing government-funded aged care. You can apply online through My Aged Care or call 1800 200 422.
The online application generally takes around 15 to 20 minutes. Have your Medicare card nearby. If you want support, a family member, friend or other trusted person can help you apply or be involved in the conversation with your permission.
02Guide sectionWhat should I tell My Aged Care?
Focus on what is becoming difficult, unsafe or exhausting in everyday life. Examples might include:
- showering, dressing or getting in and out of bed
- cleaning, laundry, shopping or preparing meals
- getting to appointments or staying socially connected
- managing medications or health conditions
- walking safely, using stairs or avoiding falls
- a family carer struggling to continue providing the same level of support.
You do not need to minimise the problem because you are coping today. The assessor needs to understand what support would help you remain safe and independent over time.
03Guide sectionStep 2: Have your aged care assessment
An aged care assessor will talk with you about your health, day-to-day activities, current supports, home environment and goals. The point is not simply to list what you cannot do. It is to understand what support could help you keep doing as much as possible for yourself.
You can have someone with you during the assessment. It can be useful to write down the things that have become difficult and any questions you want answered beforehand.
04Guide sectionStep 3: Receive your assessment outcome
Your assessment outcome explains what aged care services or programs you have been approved to access. For help at home, this may include:
- Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) for entry-level assistance, often one or two basic services
- Support at Home if you need more coordinated, ongoing or complex support
- short-term pathways or other aged care programs where these better fit your assessed needs.
If you are approved for CHSP, your support plan will include referral information for the services you can access. If you are approved for Support at Home, your outcome tells you which services you are approved for and, where relevant, your funding classification and priority.
05Guide sectionStep 4: Find and compare providers
Approval is not the same as starting care. You still need to connect with a provider that services your area and has the right services and capacity.
Before agreeing to services, ask about:
- whether they currently accept new clients
- whether they deliver the exact services in your approval
- fees, hourly prices and any contributions you may need to pay
- how quickly care can start
- who coordinates your care and how changes are handled
- what happens if your regular worker is unavailable.
06Guide sectionWill I have to pay?
Government-funded aged care is subsidised, but it is not always completely free. What you contribute depends on the program, the service and your circumstances.
CHSP providers may ask for a contribution towards each service, but there is no formal income and assets assessment for CHSP contributions. Under Support at Home, contributions can depend on the type of service and your financial circumstances. Some clinical supports are fully government funded.
07Guide sectionWhat if I am approved but care does not start immediately?
Provider availability and funding availability are separate issues. CHSP services can be limited by local provider capacity. For Support at Home, the time until funding is available can depend on the service you were approved for and your priority category.
That means it is useful to start comparing providers before the day you urgently need care.
08Guide sectionWhat should I do next?
If you have not applied yet, begin with My Aged Care. If you already have an assessment letter or support plan, the next useful step is to understand exactly what you were approved for and then identify providers that cover your area and deliver those services.
09Guide sectionHelpful Local Home Help resources
Apply for an assessment through My Aged Care, or if you already have an outcome, use Liz to work through what you were approved for before comparing providers.
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