How to Prepare for Your ACAT Assessment: What to Expect (and Why It’s Okay to Be Nervous)

There’s something so uniquely vulnerable about sitting down with a stranger and explaining your situation, everything from what’s become hard to what you just can’t do anymore.

An ACAT assessment can feel like a test – one where there are no right answers, only honest ones. If you’re booked in for one soon, it’s completely okay to feel nervous – most people do. You’re not alone in feeling this way, and you’re definitely not alone in what comes next.

Here’s what actually happens during an ACAT assessment, what you’ll be asked, and how to walk in feeling as ready as you can be. Whether you’re going through the ACAT assessment process yourself or helping a loved one to prepare – this guide is for you.

What Is An ACAT Assessment (And Why Does It Matter)?

ACAT stands for Aged Care Assessment Team. It’s a free, government-funded service that determines whether you’re eligible for Support at Home funding – the program that helps older Australians stay safe and independent at home for as long as possible.

An ACAT assessment isn’t a medical exam. It’s a conversation. A trained assessor, usually a nurse, occupational therapist, physiotherapist, or social worker, sits with you and talks about your daily life; what you can manage, what’s getting harder, and where you could use a helping hand.

They’re assessing your functional ability, not your diagnosis. It’s not about what’s written on your medical record – it’s about how you’re actually living, right now, today, which is why it’s crucial to be as honest, forthcoming, and open as possible.

Yes, they’ll ask personal questions about bathing, toileting, and whether you’ve had any falls lately. It can feel invasive, but they ask because they need to understand exactly what kind of support keeps you safe, which is ultimately, the main objective of this assessment.

Your ACAT assessment feeds into the My Aged Care system, which uses the Integrated Assessment Tool (IAT) to determine your Support at Home classification and annual funding level. There are 8 classifications, ranging from around $10,700 to $78,100 per year – depending on your needs, and it costs you nothing. This assessment is completely free.

However, there has been major criticism of the MAC’s IAT tool recently, so if you feel you’ve been wrongly assessed – you have every right to apply for a reassessment, simply see our guide When My Aged Care Gets It Wrong for how to fight back for a fair assessment.

Who Conducts Your ACAT Assessment, And What Does This Timeline Look Like?

Once you’ve registered with My Aged Care (by calling 1800 200 422 or applying online), you’ll be referred for an ACAT assessment. From referral to appointment, it typically takes between 2 to 6 weeks – though of course, this varies by region and demand.

The wait can feel like limbo. You might catch yourself thinking, What if they don’t think I need help? That’s a normal fear. Try to use the waiting time to prepare for your ACAT assessment (more on that below) – it genuinely makes a difference.

The assessment itself usually takes between 1 and 3 hours. It’s most commonly done at your home, which is actually ideal, because the assessor can see your living environment firsthand. And if getting to an appointment is difficult, you can specifically request a home visit.

Can someone come with you? Absolutely, and we’d only encourage it. A family member, carer, friend, or even a free advocate from the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) can sit with you. They’ll hear the recommendations, they can fill in details you might forget under pressure, and honestly, it’s just nice to have someone in your corner (it surely helps to alleviate any nervousness you might be feeling).

What They’re Actually Looking At During an ACAT Assessment

This is the part that worries people most, so let’s demystify it.

Your ACAT assessment focuses on functional ability, not potential and not what you used to be able to do. So, if you’re having a particularly good day (or a particularly rough one), mention it. ‘I’m more able in the mornings’ or ‘today is actually worse than usual’ – that context matters.

Daily Living Activities

Can you get in and out of the shower safely? Dress yourself? Manage continence? Move from your bed to a chair without help? These are the basics they’ll ask about – gently, but directly.

Instrumental Activities

Cooking, cleaning, shopping, laundry, managing medications, handling finances, using the phone or transport. The question isn’t whether you can do these things if you push yourself – it’s whether you can do them safely and consistently.

Safety

Falls risk. Medication errors. Home hazards – loose rugs, poor lighting, no grab rails. This isn’t about judging you or your home. It’s about identifying where a bit of support could prevent a potential crisis.

Mental Health and Cognition

Memory, mood, decision-making. They might ask: ‘Do you know why you’re being assessed?’ or ‘Can you tell me about your medications?’ These aren’t trick questions — they’re gentle checks on how you’re tracking day to day.

Social and Family Support

Who helps you now? Family, friends, neighbours, paid carers? The assessor asks because informal support matters alongside funded care – and because understanding your network helps them recommend the right level of help.

And yes, they will ask about toileting habits (it’s their job), though just know, you absolutely do not have to answer anything that makes you feel deeply uncomfortable. Having said that, it’s important to know that while confronting, being honest helps the assessor to help you.

How to Prepare for Your ACAT Assessment

Preparation makes a genuine difference. Not because you’re trying to ‘perform,’ but because being organised helps you communicate clearly when you’re nervous.

Gather Your Documents

• A list of all medications and doses (or just bring the bottles);
• Recent blood test results, discharge summaries, or GP letters;
• Information about your home – stairs, bathroom setup, living situation;
• A list of any falls, near-misses, or safety incidents in recent months.

Prepare Your Story

Walk through a typical day in your head, and think about your routine in the morning, midday, and evening. Here, where do things start to get hard? What do you avoid because it doesn’t feel safe anymore? What activities matter most to you – gardening, seeing grandchildren, cooking a proper meal?

Think about what you’re worried about. Falls? Managing medications? Being alone at night? Write it down if that helps. Having a list prepared for during your assessment, is a lot easier than trying to remember under stress in the moment.

Think About Your Support

Who helps you now, and is this support sustainable? If your daughter drives 40 minutes three times a week to do your shopping for example, is that something she can keep doing? Be honest about what’s realistic (not just what’s happening today).

It’s also integral to truly think about what you would like for the rest of your life. Would you like to stay in your current home? Or is there another option you’d like to explore. For whichever preference you have in mind, this will significantly shape the outcome.

The Most Important Thing

Be honest about what you find hard. The single biggest mistake people make in an ACAT assessment is downplaying their struggles. We understand, it’s only human, and most of us have spent a lifetime being capable and independent, so now having to admit you need help could very well feel like you’re losing something.

But please keep in mind, the goal of this assessment is to obtain funding that fits your reality. If you say you’re managing just fine, they’ll assess you at a lower level – and you’ll get less support than you actually need.

If you get emotional, that’s okay – take your time, especially if you’ve been managing alone for a while. Now’s the time to let someone else support you through this conversation.

On the Day of Your ACAT Assessment

• Wear comfortable clothes: The assessor may ask you to stand, walk, or demonstrate how you move around your home.
• Have your documents and medication list prepared: Keep this documentation accessible and somewhere easy to reach.
• Prepare your support person: If someone is coming to support you, brief them beforehand on what you’d like them to help explain (or whether it’s just moral support you’re needing).
• Take your time: It’s more than okay to ask the assessor to repeat or rephrase a question – this is your assessment, so don’t feel rushed.

What Happens After Your ACAT Assessment

After the assessment, your report is written up (usually within a couple of weeks) and sent through the My Aged Care system. From there, the Integrated Assessment Tool, an algorithm, determines your Support at Home classification (1 through 8), which sets your annual funding amount.

Once your ACAT assessment results come through, you’ll receive a Notice of Decision letter confirming your approval, along with a Support Plan letter outlining your care needs.

Then comes the waiting game – please keep in mind, Home Care Packages/Support at Home are in high demand, so there can be a significant wait before funding becomes available to you. At present, it can take up to 11 months for your package to be allocated.

When allocated, you’ll receive an Allocation letter, which stipulates a strict 56-day deadline to find a provider. Here, you can choose how your package is managed: either through a self-managed (SM) provider, where you have more control over your care, or a fully-managed (FM) provider who handles everything on your behalf – you can learn more about fully managed vs self-managed funding here.

Your funding can cover personal care, domestic help, nursing, allied health (physio, OT, podiatry, psychology, speech pathology), community access, and more.

What If Your Classification Doesn’t Feel Right?

This is important – and something not enough people know.

The IAT algorithm determines your classification, and assessors have limited ability to override it. Since the tool was introduced, concerns have been raised about whether it accurately captures everyone’s needs. Between November 2025 and January 2026 alone, over 400 people requested reviews of their results.

And as mentioned earlier, if your classification doesn’t reflect your actual situation – you have the right to request a review. You can also request a reassessment if your circumstances change (after a fall, a new diagnosis, a hospital stay, or if things have simply gotten harder), which you can learn more about here.

You’re not being difficult by asking. You’re advocating for yourself. And that matters.`

You’re Not Failing by Asking for Help

An ACAT assessment isn’t about proving you need help. It’s about naming what you need – clearly and honestly, so the right support finds its way to you.

You’re not failing by sitting in that chair and answering those questions honestly. An entire system exists because people like you deserve to stay safe, independent, and living the life you choose in the comfort of your own home – for as long as possible.

Should you have any further questions about what comes after your assessment, or when you’re assessed and need help finding the right provider – that’s exactly where we come in. We’re just a freecall away at 13 13 00. Our service is completely free, independent, and we’re only here to CareAbout you.