A kind, supportive conversation with a qualified health professional
The assessment may take place in person in your home, or over the phone, depending on your situation
Time to talk about what’s going well for you and where you might need support
Assessments usually take around 45 to 90 minutes, depending on your needs
You are welcome to have a support person such as a family member, carer or advocate with you
There is no cost for the assessment
The discussion helps guide what supports or services may be right for you

No. This assessment determines your eligibility for home support and residential aged care services.

The decision to enter an aged care home remains with the client or their legally appointed representative at a time of their choosing.

If you are already receiving Support at Home (previously Home Care Package), direct your request to your Support at Home Case Manager
For more information, visit: Information for Existing Support at Home Clients

If you have been approved for:

CHSP provides entry-level support services, subsidised by the government
Services are delivered by a variety of organisations, called CHSP aged care providers
Your assessor may refer you directly to a CHSP provider
Alternatively, you will be issued with referral codes, you can then choose a CHSP provider in your area. To access a service, take the relevant referral code directly to the CHSP provider
To find a CHSP provider, call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or visit Find a Provider
For more information, visit: My Aged Care – Commonwealth Home Support Program
If you need extra support to access CHSP services, you may be eligible for help from a Care Finder

Support at Home (SAH) provides a coordinated approach to delivery of your help at home
You will receive a budget, determined by your classification level to utilise for the support services you require
When your funding is assigned, you will be able to choose a Support at Home provider, who will help coordinate your support services and manage your budget
You will receive a letter from My Aged Care when your funding is assigned, this will include a referral code to take to your chosen provider
To find a SAH provider, call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or visit Find a Provider
For more information, visit: My Aged Care – Support at Home

Support at Home priority and wait times

There are wait times for your funding to be assigned, for current estimated wait times visit My Aged Care – How long should I expect to wait for funding
Your priority category is determined based on information collected by the assessor during your aged care assessment, including your living arrangements, personal circumstances, and other relevant factors
In most cases, your priority level cannot be changed
For more information, visit: Fact Sheet – Support at Home – The new priority system and funding allocation

How can I access support whilst awaiting allocation of SAH funding?

Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP)
- Your assessor may have recommended interim services under CHSP
- Your assessor may refer you directly to a CHSP provider
- Alternatively, you will be issued with referrals codes, you can then choose a CHSP provider in your area. To access a service, take the relevant referral code to the CHSP provider
- To find a CHSP provider, call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or visit Find a Provider
Non-government funded providers
Carer Gateway
- Carer Gateway is an Australian Government program providing free services and support for carers.
VMCH Carer Support
Residential Respite Care

Assistive technology and home modifications are products, equipment, and changes to your house that help you to live safely at home or within your community
Your funding for Assistive Technology (AT) and/or Home Modifications (HM) is separate from other Support at Home services.
There are wait times for AT-HM funding, although this funding may be assigned prior to ongoing Support at Home funding
When your funding is assigned, you will be able to choose a Support at Home AT-HM provider, who will help coordinate your AT-HM and manage your budget
You will receive a letter from My Aged Care when your funding is assigned, this will include a referral code to take to your chosen provider
To find a SAH AT-HM provider, call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or visit Find a Provider
For more information, visit: My Aged Care – Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) scheme

Restorative care helps you stay independent and delay the need for long-term care. It is delivered by a team of health professionals who help you manage or adapt to your needs.
When your funding is assigned, you will be able to choose a Support at Home – RCP provider, who will help coordinate your Restorative Care Pathway and manage your budget
You will receive a letter from My Aged Care when your funding is assigned, this will include a referral code to take to your chosen provider
To find a SAH Restorative Care provider, call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or visit Find a Provider
For more information, visit: My Aged Care – Restorative Care Pathway

The Support at Home program has an End-of-Life Pathway that supports older people during their final stage of life.
Your funding is assigned immediately
You will need to find a Support at Home provider who offer the End-of-Life Pathway
Your assessor will provide you with a referral code, take this code to your chosen provider
If you are already receiving Support at Home services, you should check if your provider is able to continue to provide appropriate support for this pathway.
To find a SAH End-of-Life Pathway provider, call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or visit Find a Provider
For more information, visit: My Aged Care – End-of-Life Pathway

Residential respite care provides short term care in an aged care home
May be used if your carer is unavailable, or you require some additional support on a short-term basis
Residential respite is available for up to 63 days per financial year. It is possible to extend this by 21 days at a time, with approval from an assessment organisation
To access Residential Respite Care, take your referral code directly to an aged care home that provides respite care, to book a respite stay
To find a Residential Respite Care provider, call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or visit Find a Provider
For more information, visit: My Aged Care – Residential Respite Care

This approval allows you to enter an aged care home on a permanent basis, at a time of your choosing
This may be used at any time in the future
For more information, visit: My Aged Care – Aged Care Home

What to expect at your assessment?