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How do I apply for an aged care assessment?

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In short...

You can apply for an aged care assessment online, by phone or in person through My Aged Care. An assessment is usually the first step to accessing government-funded aged care services such as CHSP, Support at Home, respite care or residential aged care. The application generally takes around 15 to 20 minutes.

The details...

How do I apply for an aged care assessment?

An aged care assessment helps determine whether you are eligible for government-funded aged care services and what type of support may best meet your needs.

Most people need an assessment before they can access services such as:

  • Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP)

  • Support at Home

  • respite care

  • assistive technology and home modifications

  • residential aged care.

Step 1: Contact My Aged Care

There are three main ways to apply:

Online

You can complete an application online through My Aged Care.

You will generally need:

  • your Medicare card

  • your contact details

  • around 15 to 20 minutes to complete the application.

A family member or friend can also help you complete the application.

By phone

Call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422.

A staff member can help complete the application with you over the phone. Interpreter services are available if required.

In person

You can make an appointment with an Aged Care Specialist Officer (ACSO) at a Services Australia office by calling 1800 227 475.

Step 2: Answer questions about your situation

You will usually be asked about:

  • your health conditions

  • mobility and falls

  • personal care needs

  • memory or cognitive concerns

  • living arrangements

  • support provided by family or carers

  • tasks you are finding difficult.

The purpose is to understand what assistance may help you remain living safely and independently.

Step 3: Arrange the assessment

Once your application has been submitted, an assessment organisation will contact you to discuss your circumstances and arrange an assessment.

Many assessments take place in your home so the assessor can better understand your living environment and support needs. You will usually be contacted within approximately 2 to 6 weeks, although urgent situations may be prioritised.

Step 4: Receive your outcome

Following the assessment, you may receive approval for one or more services.

You may also receive:

  • a support plan

  • information about next steps

  • referrals to providers

  • details about any further assessments or reviews required.

Approval for services does not necessarily mean support will begin immediately, as provider availability and waiting times vary.

Can someone apply on my behalf?

Yes.

A family member, friend or representative can assist you with the application process.

You can also register a supporter relationship through My Aged Care if you would like someone to help you access information and communicate decisions.

What if my needs are urgent?

If your health or safety is at immediate risk, tell My Aged Care when applying.

Some urgent services may be available on a short-term basis before or without an assessment, depending on your circumstances.

What should I do next?

Before applying:

  • write down the tasks that have become difficult

  • think about what support would help you remain independent

  • gather your Medicare details and health information

  • ask a family member or representative to assist if needed.

If you believe your circumstances are urgent, explain clearly:

  • what has changed

  • why remaining at home has become difficult

  • any immediate safety concerns.

Helpful Local Home Help resources

Check the official guidance

Official guidance:

Takeaways

  • An aged care assessment is usually the first step to government-funded aged care.

  • You can apply online, by phone or in person.

  • Applications generally take around 15 to 20 minutes.

  • Most assessments take place in your home.

  • A family member or representative can help you apply.

  • Urgent situations may be prioritised.

About Local Home Help

How Providers Are Listed

How providers appear on Local Home Help Local Home Help helps families discover home support services available in their area. Providers may appear on the site in a few different ways. Some providers create and manage their own listing on the platform. Others may appear based on publicly available information about services operating in a particular region. This helps families see a broader view of support options available locally. Where possible, we encourage providers to claim and manage their listing so information such as services offered, contact details and service areas remain accurate and up to date. There are no paid or enhanced listings on Local Home Help, and there never will be. Claiming or managing a listing has no effect on a provider's visibility, ranking, or how often it appears in a consumer's personalised shortlist, it simply keeps the information families see accurate and current. Local Home Help does not charge consumers to access the platform. We may generate revenue in other ways in the future, but none of these will ever influence which providers a consumer sees, how they're ranked, or what appears in their shortlist. Provider visibility is, and will remain, based solely on relevance to each family's stated needs. What does not influence Liz There are no paid or enhanced listings on Local Home Help, not now, and not in the future. No provider can pay for a higher position in Liz results, a better ranking, or inclusion in a consumer's shortlist. This is a permanent commitment, not a current-state description. Claiming or updating a profile does not improve a provider's ranking. It gives Liz more accurate information about the provider's services, coverage and care model, which can make the explanation of why a provider matched clearer, but it has no effect on whether or how highly that provider appears. Local Home Help intends to generate revenue in other ways in the future - for example through tools built for providers, or products separate from the consumer matching experience. None of these will influence which providers appear in Liz's results, how they're ranked, or what a consumer sees in their personalised shortlist. Visibility and ranking are based solely on the fit factors described above, and nothing else. This reflects the platform's core ethos: Local Home Help is built consumer-first. Every design and revenue decision is made so that what a family sees from Liz is the most relevant outcome for them. Never the most profitable outcome for Local Home Help or a provider.

Independence Statement

Our independence Local Home Help is designed to help families navigate the often confusing world of home support and aged care services. The platform aims to present information in a clear and balanced way so families can better understand the types of help available and where to find it. While providers may appear on the platform, Local Home Help does not recommend one provider over another. The decision about which service may be suitable will always depend on individual circumstances. Families are encouraged to contact providers directly, ask questions and make their own enquiries before making a decision. Our focus is to make the process of understanding and finding support at home easier. Local Home Help does not accept payment of any kind in exchange for provider visibility, ranking, or shortlist placement, and never will. Any future revenue Local Home Help generates will come from sources entirely separate from how providers are matched to consumers.

Quality Signals

What to look for when choosing a provider ​ Finding the right support service can take time. When considering a provider, families may wish to look for signs of quality such as: Clear information about services offered Transparent pricing or funding options Experience supporting older people at home Relevant professional qualifications where appropriate Positive feedback or reputation in the community Willingness to answer questions about care and services It is often helpful to speak with more than one provider before making a decision. Local Home Help aims to provide a starting point for exploring services, but the best choice will depend on the needs and preferences of the individual receiving support.

About the Author

Local Home Help Editorial Team

This article was created by Local Home Help to help Australian families better understand aged care and home support options in plain English.

Our content is based on publicly available information from:

  • My Aged Care

  • Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

  • Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission

  • Provider pricing schedules and operational experience within the aged care sector.

Local Home Help is an independent consumer information platform and does not provide medical, legal or financial advice.

Important information

Aged care rules, fees, eligibility requirements and program arrangements can change. The information on this page is general guidance only and may not apply to every person or situation.

Before making a financial, legal or care decision, check the latest information with My Aged Care, Services Australia, the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, or another appropriate official source.

Local Home Help does not provide legal, financial, medical or clinical advice.

Source data

Last reviewed

20/7/26, 9:08 pm

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