What happens at your aged care assessment
What to expect before, during and after your My Aged Care assessment, in plain English.
Before the assessment
After you apply, an assessment organisation will call you (or someone you choose). On the call they:
- check the information you gave when you applied
- ask if you need language help or an advocate
- set a date and time for your assessment.
How soon your assessment happens depends on your referral priority. This is based on what you said when you applied. More about wait times.
Source: My Aged Care; My Aged Care (checked 30 Oct 2026)
Who can be with you
You don’t have to do it alone. You can have any of these people with you:
- a family member, friend or carer
- your registered supporter (the assessor can set this up for you at the assessment)
- an interpreter (ask at any time)
- an Elder Care Support worker, for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- a care finder, if you have no one to help.
Free advocates from OPAN can also help. Call 1800 700 600.
Source: My Aged Care (checked 30 Oct 2026)
What to have ready
- Your Medicare card and one other ID, such as a driver’s licence, healthcare card, passport or DVA card
- Any referrals from your doctor
- Contact details for your doctor or other health professionals
- Information about any support you already get
- Your questions
Use our free checklist, and tick the services you might need.
Source: My Aged Care (checked 30 Oct 2026)
Questions you could ask the assessor
My Aged Care suggests these:
- What services could help me reach my goals?
- What services are available near me, and what are the waiting times?
- What support is there for my carer?
- Are there providers and staff who speak my language or understand my culture, beliefs or life experience?
- How can I contact you if I have questions after the assessment?
Source: My Aged Care (checked 30 Oct 2026)
On the day
The assessor asks if you agree
Before they start, the assessor asks if you agree to have the assessment. They may also ask if they can talk to people who support you, like family or your carer.
Source: My Aged Care (checked 30 Oct 2026)
They ask you questions
Everyone is asked the same set of questions. This is called the Integrated Assessment Tool. Many questions are yes or no, or multiple choice. They ask about:
- your health and any medical conditions
- how you manage daily tasks around the home
- your memory and thinking
- your safety at home
- support you already have, and whether it will continue
- family, community and cultural activities.
If an answer is wrong, the assessor can change or correct it.
Source: My Aged Care (checked 30 Oct 2026)
Together you make a Support Plan
Your Support Plan records your strengths, your difficulties, your goals and what you would like from your services. It says which types of care you are eligible for, such as Support at Home or the Commonwealth Home Support Program.
Source: My Aged Care (checked 30 Oct 2026)
You choose about My Health Record
The assessor may ask if you want your Support Plan on your My Health Record, so your doctors can see it. You can say no. You can change your mind at any time by calling 1800 200 422.
Source: My Aged Care (checked 30 Oct 2026)
After the assessment
- A clinically trained delegate from the assessment organisation checks your assessment is complete and correct.
- For Support at Home, this sets your classification (how much funding you get, from level 1 to 8) and your priority (how soon you get it: urgent, high, medium or standard). See the funding levels.
- This review can take up to 2 weeks, depending on your needs.
- You get a Notice of Decision letter and a copy of your Support Plan, by post or email. You can also see them in your My Aged Care Online Account.
- If you are eligible, your letter can include a referral code. You give this to the provider you choose. How to choose a provider.
Waiting? You can check progress in your My Aged Care Online Account, or call 1800 200 422.
Source: My Aged Care; My Aged Care; My Aged Care (checked 30 Oct 2026)
If you don’t agree with the result
- Talk to your assessment organisation. Their details are in your letter. Someone you trust can help.
- Ask for a free internal review. You must write to the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing within 28 days of getting your letter. You can use the department’s review form, or write a letter. Your letter explains how.
- A family member, friend or registered supporter can write for you.
- The department will tell you within 90 days if the decision stays the same or changes.
Free advocates from OPAN can help: 1800 700 600.
Source: My Aged Care; Department of Health, Disability and Ageing; My Aged Care (checked 30 Oct 2026)
If your needs change later
You can ask for a Support Plan Review. An assessor talks to you about your needs. They may change your Support Plan, or refer you for a full new assessment.
If things have changed a lot, a new assessment may find you need a higher level or a different type of care.
Source: My Aged Care (checked 30 Oct 2026)
Want the official version in simple words? Read the government’s Easy Read guide to an aged care assessment (PDF).
Common questions
Where does the aged care assessment happen?
Usually in your own home, so you don’t need to go anywhere. It can also be at another place, by video (telehealth) or over the phone.
Source: My Aged Care; My Aged Care (checked 30 Oct 2026)
Can a family member be with me at the assessment?
Yes. You can have a family member, friend, carer or registered supporter with you. You can ask for an interpreter at any time.
Source: My Aged Care (checked 30 Oct 2026)
What should I have ready?
Your Medicare card and one other form of ID, any referrals from your doctor, contact details for your doctor or other health professionals, and information about any support you already get.
Source: My Aged Care (checked 30 Oct 2026)
How long until I get the result?
After your assessment, the assessment organisation reviews your information. This can take up to 2 weeks, depending on your needs. You can check progress in your My Aged Care Online Account or by calling 1800 200 422.
Source: My Aged Care (checked 30 Oct 2026)
What if I don’t agree with the result?
First, you can talk to your assessment organisation. Their details are in your letter. You can also ask for a free internal review. You must write to the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing within 28 days of getting your letter. They will tell you the answer within 90 days.
Source: My Aged Care; Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (checked 30 Oct 2026)
What if my needs change later?
You can ask for a Support Plan Review. An assessor talks to you about your needs. They may change your Support Plan, or refer you for a full new assessment.
Source: My Aged Care (checked 30 Oct 2026)
Need help with your own situation?
My Aged Care (Australian Government)
Mon to Fri 8am to 8pm. Sat 10am to 2pm.
OPAN free, independent advocates
Mon to Fri 8am to 8pm. Sat 10am to 4pm.
In an emergency, call 000. Worried about abuse? See urgent help.
Where this information comes from
- My Aged Care: How to get assessed
https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/how-get-assessed
Last checked 30 Oct 2026. - My Aged Care: Preparing for your assessment
https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/preparing-your-assessment
Last checked 30 Oct 2026. - My Aged Care: How the assessment process works
https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/how-get-assessed/how-assessment-process-works
Last checked 30 Oct 2026. - My Aged Care: Receiving your assessment outcome
https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/receiving-your-assessment-outcome
Last checked 30 Oct 2026. - My Aged Care: What happens after an assessment
https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/what-happens-after-assessment
Last checked 30 Oct 2026. - My Aged Care: Assessment outcome: Support at Home
https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/assessment-outcome-support-at-home
Last checked 30 Oct 2026. - Department of Health, Disability and Ageing: Guide to an aged care assessment (Easy Read, PDF)
https://cms.myagedcare.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/easy-read-guide-to-aged-care-assessment.pdf
Last checked 30 Oct 2026.