What is an Aged Care Assessment?
An ACAT 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 ACAT 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 Aged Care Assessment Teams (ACATs), which are made up of medical, nursing and allied health professionals. Their assessments are usually conducted in your home.
From 1 July 2024, ACATs 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.
You do not need an ACAT 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 ACAT assessment.
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View transcript of video hereUnderstanding 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.
How to get an Assessment?
There are two ways to get an assessment:
- call my aged care contact centre directly
- get a referral from your GP or a health care professional
It is a free assessment, but you will need a My Aged Care client record to set up an assessment.
For more detailed information, you can visit our page on how to get an assessment.
How long does it take to get an assessment Appointment?
It can take up to six weeks to get an assessment appointment depending on how urgent your situation is.
Who does the assessment?
An ACAT assessment is undertaken by an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT). This team usually includes a nurse, plus another healthcare worker such as a physiotherapist, occupational therapist or social worker. Usually, only one member of the ACAT team will visit you for the assessment, which takes place wherever you are.
ACAT teams work based on the state you are in. For more information, you can visit one of the pages below:
- ACAT New South Wales
- ACAS Victoria
- ACAT Queensland
- ACAT Western Australia
- ACAT South Australia
- ACAT Tasmania
- ACAT Nothern Territory
- ACAT Australian Capital Territory
See our Aged Care Assessment guide for more details.
How long does an assessment take?
An assessment usually takes between 45 minutes and 75 minutes.
It’s normal to feel worried about ‘getting assessed’, but you will be able to ask questions and won’t be forced to make any decisions on the day. You can also have a family member or friend with you.
The Assessment team will complete a report after the meeting. It generally takes up to two weeks for you to receive a copy, which you will need to proceed with your search for a nursing home (aged care home).
It will list the services you have been approved for, any conditions they come with, and the reasons for this decision.
You will also be given information about service providers in your area.
If you are not satisfied with the results of your assessment, you can make a complaint through My Aged Care.
What to expect during and after the assessment?
During your assessment, the Assessor will ask you to answer some formal questions about your general situation and your health, for example:
- how your general state of health is
- what specific health conditions you have;
- what medications you are taking
- whether you have any problems with your memory
The Assessor will also have a discussion with you and your carer about some of the options available for you based on your individual situation.
After the assessment is finalised, the team member will let you know the outcome in a letter specifying some information about:
- the services you have been approved for
- the reasons for this decision
- information and contact details in case you want to appeal or discuss the decision made
- information about aged care service providers in your area
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
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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