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How to get government help at home, step by step.

• Watch the 4 steps as a short animation
• Print: Your first call to My Aged Care (PDF, 1 page)

1. Apply for an assessment

   You need an assessment before you can get government-funded aged care. Choose one way:

   • Online at myagedcare.gov.au/apply-online. You need your Medicare card. It takes about 15 to 20 minutes.
   • By phone: call 1800 200 422. Staff fill in the application with you over the phone. A family member or friend can join the call. (This call is to apply. The assessment comes later.)
   • In person: book a free meeting at Services Australia. Call 1800 227 475 (Mon to Fri, 8am to 5pm).

   Source: My Aged Care (checked 25 Oct 2026)

2. Choose a helper (optional)

   You can name a registered supporter. This is someone you trust. They can help you make decisions and talk to My Aged Care.

   It is easiest to set this up together, at the same time.

   Source: My Aged Care (checked 25 Oct 2026)

3. Wait for a phone call

   An assessment team will call you to set a date.

   From April to June 2026, half of people waited 26 days or less. Some wait longer.

   Source: My Aged Care (checked 25 Oct 2026)

4. Get ready

   Have these ready:

   • Medicare card and one other ID
   • Any letters from your doctor
   • Your doctor’s contact details
   • Details of help you already get
   • Your questions

   Use our free checklist

   Source: My Aged Care (checked 25 Oct 2026)

5. Have your assessment

   A trained assessor asks about your health, daily life and safety. It is usually in your home. It can also be by video or phone.

   Together you make a Support Plan.

   Source: My Aged Care (checked 25 Oct 2026)

6. Read your letter

   If you are approved, you get a Notice of Decision letter. It tells you:

   • what help you can have
   • how much funding (your level)
   • how soon (your priority)
   • how to ask for a review if you disagree

   Source: My Aged Care (checked 25 Oct 2026)

7. Wait for funding

   How long you wait depends on your priority. You can start one service while you wait for others.

   If waits are long, you may get 60% of your funding first.

   Source: My Aged Care (checked 25 Oct 2026)

8. Choose a provider

   A provider is the organisation that will help you. When your funding is ready:

   • You have 56 days to choose one and sign an agreement.
   • You can ask for 28 more days.
   • Use one provider for all your services.
   • Compare prices. Providers must show them.

   Read our guide to choosing a provider · Find a provider (My Aged Care)

   Source: My Aged Care; My Aged Care (checked 25 Oct 2026)

9. Sign up and start

   Give your provider the referral code from your letter. Then sign a service agreement. Your services can then start.

   Each month you get a statement showing how your budget is used.

   Source: My Aged Care; My Aged Care (checked 25 Oct 2026)

If something goes wrong

• Your letter explains how to ask for a review.
• Free advocates at OPAN can help: 1800 700 600.
• Problem with a provider? Call the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission: 1800 951 822.

Source: Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN); Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (checked 25 Oct 2026)

Watch out for scams

My Aged Care will never contact you on social media or apps like WhatsApp. It will never ask for your bank details.

Source: My Aged Care (checked 25 Oct 2026)

Need help with your own situation?

My Aged Care (Australian Government)
Mon to Fri 8am to 8pm. Sat 10am to 2pm.

Call 1800 200 422

OPAN free, independent advocates
Mon to Fri 8am to 8pm. Sat 10am to 4pm.

Call 1800 700 600

In an emergency, call 000. Worried about abuse? See urgent help.

Where this information comes from

1. My Aged Care: How to apply for an assessment
   https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/how-apply-assessment
   Last checked 25 Oct 2026.
2. My Aged Care: Apply for an assessment online
   https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/apply-online
   Last checked 25 Oct 2026.
3. My Aged Care: Preparing for your assessment
   https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/preparing-your-assessment
   Last checked 25 Oct 2026.
4. My Aged Care: How the assessment process works
   https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/how-get-assessed/how-assessment-process-works
   Last checked 25 Oct 2026.
5. My Aged Care: Assessment outcome: Support at Home
   https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/assessment-outcome-support-at-home
   Last checked 25 Oct 2026.
6. My Aged Care: Connecting with Support at Home providers
   https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/connecting-support-at-home-providers
   Last checked 25 Oct 2026.
7. My Aged Care: Support at Home costs and contributions
   https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/support-at-home-costs-and-contributions
   Last checked 25 Oct 2026.
8. Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN): Contact us
   https://opan.org.au/contact-us/
   Last checked 25 Oct 2026.
9. Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission: Contact us
   https://www.agedcarequality.gov.au/contact-us
   Last checked 25 Oct 2026.
10. My Aged Care: How to contact My Aged Care
    https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/how-to-contact-my-aged-care
    Last checked 25 Oct 2026.