Aged care assessment process

Older man and a woman having tea and talking

To access government-funded aged care services, you need to meet the eligibility criteria and apply for an in-person assessment.

Types of care

Your assessment determines the type of aged care you need now and into the future, as well as how much funding you're eligible to receive for a Home Care Package (HCP).

Home care services

Residential aged care

Rehabilitation and reablement

Who is eligible?

You need to be 65 or older (50 or older for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people).

If you don't meet this requirement, call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 to discuss your circumstances. For example, if you're:

Living with a disability, dementia, or have other care needs not met through other specialist services
On a low income, homeless, or at risk of homelessness.

Eligibility requirements

How to apply

If you're seeking government assistance for aged care, you'll need to apply for an in-person assessment. Or, contact us to organise private services.

Check your eligibility and apply for an assessment

Check your eligibility
If you meet the requirements, you can complete My Aged Care's online application (allow 15–20 minutes) or call 1800 200 422.
A trained assessor will then call you to arrange a time to visit you at home (or in hospital) to do an assessment.

Prepare for your assessment

For a full list of things you should prepare before your assessment, visit the My Aged Care website.

Have your assessment

Your aged care assessment will take place at home or in hospital if required. Consider having a support person such as a family member or your carer with you.

During your assessment:

There may be a form to fill out.
Your assessor will talk to you about your needs.
Your assessor will work with you to develop your support plan.
Your assessor will give you a copy of your support plan.

At their discretion, your assessor may also assess you for a Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP), so you can access government funding while you wait for your Home Care Package.

When do you find out if you're approved for government funding?

For the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP), you’re usually told at the end of your assessment. Your assessor will give you a referral code and you can start contacting providers to organise services.

Decisions about Home Care Packages, short-term care and aged care homes can take longer. You or your representative will be sent a letter, usually within 2 to 6 weeks after your assessment. Visit My Aged Care to learn more about this step.

Get your assessment outcome

Your letter will show your approved aged care services, support plan and unique referral code/s.

What’s a referral code?
When you give your referral code to a service provider, they can:

View your client record (including your details and services that you’re approved for)
Accept your referral
Start organising services for you.

Home Care Packages (HCP)

Level 1: Basic care needs
Level 2: Low care needs
Level 3: Intermediate care needs
Level 4: High care needs

You’ll only have 56 days to choose a service provider once you’re allocated a package.

We suggest that you get in touch with us about 3 months before you’re allocated a package (another letter should notify you of this). Your letter will state which level of package (1–4) you’re approved for.

You’ll be placed in the government’s national queue until you’re allocated a package.

How long are the wait times for home care?

Home Care Packages (HCP): Wait times vary for Home Care Packages, depending on which level of care you're eligible for. Visit My Aged Care for more information, and to check the current approximate wait times.
Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP): After your assessment, the wait time will depend on the availability of service providers in your area. Visit My Aged Care to learn more about CHSP.

Organise your aged care services

Call 1800 864 846 to organise your services with Uniting. We can discuss:

Your needs and goals
Services or aged care homes in your area
Your culture and language options
Our staff
Costs and fees.

Before your services begin, we’ll provide you with a formal agreement to review.

Continuing to support your needs

Once you've chosen Uniting as your provider, we’ll check in with you regularly to ensure that we continue to meet your needs. If your circumstances change, we’ll talk to you about your options. This might include referring you for another assessment to apply for additional support.