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Step 2: Get assessed for Home Care
How to get assessed by the Aged Care Assessment Team.
After you register, the next step is a face-to-face assessment of your care needs. This is done by professional assessors under the new Single Assessment System.
Scheduling the Assessment:
You will be contacted to set up a time for an assessor to visit you at home (or in hospital if you’re there, or occasionally do it over phone/video). They aim to do this within a few weeks of your My Aged Care intake, wait times can vary, but the government is investing to shorten wait times to ~3 months by 2027, and currently many people are seen in a matter of weeks. If your situation is urgent (e.g., you need help sooner), let My Aged Care know, urgent cases can be expedited.
During the Assessment:
An assessor (usually a nurse, social worker or allied health professional) will come and talk with you about your daily life, health, and what supports you need. They are likely ask about how you manage tasks like showering, cooking, cleaning, moving around, and your medical conditions. Don’t be shy in explaining any difficulties, their job is to identify services that could help you. You can have a family member or friend present for support. The assessor will also explain the programs and ask about preferences. This is a good time to mention you’re interested in St Louis Care as a provider (though you’re not required to choose a provider yet, it’s fine to express a preference). They will determine if you are eligible for Support at Home and, if so, assign a classification level (1–8) based on your needs. They’ll also consider if you could benefit from short-term supports like the Restorative Care or End-of-Life pathway.
Outcome:
After the assessment, you’ll receive an official approval letter (Notice of Decision) from My Aged Care/Services Australia. This letter will confirm that you’re approved for Support at Home, your classification level (which corresponds to your quarterly budget), and which service categories or special pathways you’re approved for. For example, it may say you’re approved for “Ongoing Support at Home at classification level 3, plus access to AT-HM scheme” (if equipment is needed). Keep this letter, it contains a referral code and details we’ll use.
St Louis Can Help:
We can help you prepare for the assessment (we can provide you with a handy checklist of points to mention, or even attend the assessment with you if you like). After the assessment, if you’re unsure what the approval means, you can call us, we’ll decipher the jargon on the letter and explain exactly what you’re entitled to.
Reassurance:
Some people worry they may not “get approved” or may get a low level. The assessors are there to help. Australia’s aged care reforms include expanding services so more people get support faster. If you have noticeable needs, you will very likely be approved. And remember, you have choice, an approval is like being given a ticket to access services, but you decide when and with whom to use it. Also, if your needs change later, you can request a new assessment to move to a higher level; the system is flexible.