Search plain-English answers to common aged care questions. You do not need to learn the whole system first. Find the issue in front of you and start there.
Describe what is happening and Liz can help work out which information or next step is most useful.
Ask Liz →Try everyday wording such as “Mum is waiting for funding”, “can CHSP pay for gardening?” or “how much does personal care cost?”
My Aged Care is the Australian Government's starting point for accessing government-funded aged care. It helps you understand your options, apply for an assessment, receive an assessment outcome and connect with providers, but you still choose which provider you want to use.
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.
CHSP remains the entry-level home support program for people who generally need a smaller amount of help. Home Care Packages were replaced by Support at Home on 1 November 2025, so in 2026 the more useful comparison is CHSP versus Support at Home. People who previously had a Home Care Package were transitioned into the new system.
Qualifying for government-funded aged care in Australia is based on your age, care needs, and financial situation rather than just an automatic age milestone.
To qualify for government-funded aged care, you or your parent must generally be aged 65 or older (or 50+ for Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander peoples) and need help with daily tasks. Eligibility is strictly determined by a free in-person Aged Care Needs Assessment, which is requested by applying through My Aged Care. Follow these concrete steps to check eligibility and get assessed:1.
RAS and ACAT were the former names for different assessment pathways. Australia now uses a Single Assessment System, although people may still hear the older terms. The assessment you receive depends on the level and type of support you may need.
There is no guaranteed national appointment time. For assessments completed from January to March 2026, the national median wait was 25 days, but your wait may be shorter or longer depending on urgency, location and assessor availability.
Before your ACAT assessment, gather your Medicare card, another form of ID (like a driver's licence or pension card), doctor referrals, and a list of current medications. Note any support you currently receive, and think about your specific needs, daily challenges, and personal goals for maintaining independence. A little preparation goes a long way to ensure the assessor gets a complete picture of your situation.
Yes, a family member or trusted representative can speak to My Aged Care on your behalf.
If your care needs change, you can request a Support Plan Review or a full reassessment at any time through My Aged Care. You do not need to wait for a scheduled 12-month check-in to adjust your funding or services if your health, living, or financial circumstances change significantly. The process for updating your support includes:Initial Contact: Talk to your current service provider first.
You can check the status of your application or assessment by logging into your My Aged Care Online Account using your my Gov credentials.
Being approved means an assessment has found you eligible for particular aged care services. Being allocated or assigned funding means the government funding for those approved Support at Home services is available for you to start arranging care.
There is no single fixed national wait time. Under Support at Home, waiting depends on your priority category, the services approved and available funding. Some urgent funding is expected within one month, while other ongoing services may take considerably longer.
Yes, you can speed up the process in some situations. Contact My Aged Care promptly, describe the specific risks and ask for urgent consideration but use emergency health, hospital or respite services when the person needs help immediately.
The former Charter of Aged Care Rights has been replaced by the enforceable Statement of Rights under the new Aged Care Act, which started on 1 November 2025. It protects your right to dignity, choice, safety, information, privacy, communication and culturally safe care.
