What is an Aged Care Assessment?
An aged care assessment is required for a person who needs to be approved for Government-funded services including; a nursing home (aged care home), home care, residential aged care, transition care or respite care. An assessment is used to make a recommendation for the type and level of care that will best meet your needs.
Aged care assessments are conducted by assessors, which are made up of medical, nursing and allied health professionals. Their assessments are usually conducted in your home.
From 1 July 2024, assessors will use the Integrated Assessment Tool (IAT) to assess the eligibility of older people for government-subsidised in-home and residential aged care. The IAT will replace the National Aged Care Screening and Assessment Form (NSAF).
The change is part of the move to a Single Assessment System (SAS).
As part of the SAS, later this year the Department of Health and Aged Care will also change the way assessments are done.
A new Single Assessment System workforce will replace:
- ACATs, which are currently used for people who may need care through Home Care Packages, residential aged care, transition care, or short-term restorative care,
- Regional Assessment Services, which are used to assess older people for entry-level support delivered by the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP), and
- Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) assessors, who asses residential aged care funding.
From 1 November 2025, further changes are taking place within Aged Care but the assessment process using the IAT will continue.
You do not need a government assessment for aged care services that are not funded by the Federal Government. However, most nursing homes (aged care homes) are government-subsidised so you will still need an assessment.
Understanding the assessment
An assessment looks at a range of factors including:
- your health and medical history
- your physical requirements, such as how well you can get around and do everyday activities
- your psychological needs, for example, how you are feeling and whether you have experienced depression or mental illness
- your social needs, including family and friends and support networks
- any special needs or concerns, for instance, religious and cultural beliefs, sexual preferences or language issues
Visit our guide on what is involved in the Assessment for more information.
- Call the My Aged Care contact centre directly
- Go to the My Aged Care website
- Get a referral from a health care professional
- Visit Services Australia
For more detailed information, you can visit our page on how to get an assessment.
- a nurse
- a physiotherapist
- an occupational therapist
- a social worker
Often they are based in the local hospital or community health service centre.
After My Aged Care has referred you to an assessor in your area, a member of the assessment team will give you a call to make a time to come and see you. It’s normal to feel a bit anxious about the prospect of ‘getting assessed’, especially if you’ve been feeling below par anyway.
It helps to have a clear understanding of what will happen - and what won't happen - at your assessment.
Remember:
- The assessment is just a way of working out how much help you need and what types of care and services you may be eligible for.
- Your assessor will use a standardised questionaire to work out what care and support you need called the Integrated Assessment Tool (IAT).
- You will be able to express your own views and thoughts and be listened to – this is an important part of the assessment process.
- You won’t be forced to make any decisions at this time.
- You can have a friend or relative with you the whole time.
- You can ask for an interpreter if you need one
What will happen at the assessment?
- An assessor will step through questions using the IAT. This allows assessors to collect all the information they need to ensure service recommendations and referrals are tailored to your current needs.
- While the time it takes can vary, you can generally expect the assessment to take between 45 minutes and 75 minutes
- You will be asked to answer some formal questions at the start to be sure that you understand the process, including:
- whether you want to apply for approval to be able to receive certain aged care services; and
- whether you give your permission for the assessment to take place
Plus:
- The Assessor will explain the different kinds of service options to you and answer any questions you might
How long does an assessment take?
How long you have to wait for your assessment will depend on how urgent your situation and need is. The My Aged Care contact centre staff will determine that from the screening process when you create your client record; or in consultation with the referral from your health professional. See: 2.5 create your client record.
Your need is urgent
If your situation is deemed urgent – because you are at ‘high risk’ of harm or in a crisis situation – an assessor will be in contact within 48 hours.
Your need is moderate
If you are not at immediate risk of harm but have had deterioration in your physical or mental health; or your current level of care is no longer adequate, the assessment appointment could take between 3-14 days.
Your need is manageable
If you are concerned about things getting more difficult for you but you’re still getting by on your own or with the support you currently have, you might have to wait longer than 14 days for your assessment. This might also happen if you’re looking for respite care, for example if your carer needs to take a holiday.
Remember you can also ask questions to the assessor
You may want to be prepared with some questions for the team member who will be doing your assessment, for example:
- What services are available in my area, and what are the waiting times?
- What services are available to help me reach my goal
- Are there service providers that speak languages other than English?
- Are there service providers in my area that represent my religious or cultural beliefs?
- What supports are there for my carer?
- How can I contact the assessor if I have any questions after the assessment?
You can visit My Aged Care page for more tips on how to prepare for your assessment.
Still confused? Check some other FAQs
Annie Donaldson
agedcare101 Registered Nurse, Carer
Can I have someone with me during the assessment?
Yes. You don’t have to be alone during this process. You can choose a family member, friend or carer to accompany you through the assessment.
What happens once I’m assessed as eligible for services?
If you are assessed as eligible for services, your assessor can help you connect to aged care service operators in your area. In some cases, your assessor can refer you directly to local providers to discuss your care needs or give you a referral code so you can find service providers yourself.
Do assessments expire?
Assessments don’t usually expire. However, if your last assessment was done a couple of years back, it may be a good idea to do a new one in order to determine your needs more accurately.
Are there free tools that I can use for my aged care assessment?
Yes, you can use our free aged care fee estimator, and our free home care fee estimator.
My Aged Care also offers tools like an eligibility checker, or you can visit this self-assessment page from the Australian Government.
We have loads more on both home care and aged care assessments.
What is involved in the Assessment?
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