Navigating the Aged Care system in Australia can appear daunting. Don’t let that stop you taking the vital first step. CareAbout can help you begin your journey.

Register and arrange an assessment

Whether you are seeking Home Care or entering an Aged Care Home, the first step toward finding out exactly what you’re eligible for is to register with My Aged Care.

During your initial registration with My Aged Care, you will be asked several questions over the phone. This is to determine whether or not you require a formal, in-person assessment. This phone call usually takes around 20 minutes and you are welcome to have a representative with you, or to speak on your behalf. If English is not your first language, you can request that My Aged Care arrange an interpreter.

You will then be referred for an assessment undertaken by the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT or ACAS in Victoria) or the Regional Assessment Team (RAS).

The assessment by the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT or ACAS in Victoria) gives you access to both entry-level support through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) and ongoing, consumer-directed support through Home Care Packages.

The assessment by the Regional Assessment Team (RAS) only gives you access to entry-level support of approximately 1.5 hours per week through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP).

What can I expect during my formal assessment?

The assessor, usually a nurse, social worker or other health care professional, will visit you in your home for approximately one hour and ask questions to ascertain if you are eligible for:

• A Home Care Package
• Permanent residential care in an Aged Care Home
• Residential respite care
• Short-term restorative care
• Transition care

The assessor will also ask questions to determine:

• what support you already have and if that will continue
• your health and lifestyle and any health concerns
• how you are going with completing daily tasks and activities around the home
• if you have problems with your memory
• whether you have any issues relating to home and personal safety
• your family and community engagement.

The assessor will then develop a support plan that will set out the care and services that will best help you and if the services are ongoing or short term.

CareAbout can help you begin your journey

Navigating the Aged Care system in Australia can appear daunting. Don’t let that stop you taking the vital first step. Get in touch with CareAbout and find out what your options are.

CareAbout can match the right care for your individual circumstances.