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How to get an aged care assessment

The ACAT assessment is the gateway to government-funded home care. Here's exactly how it works.

Start at My Aged CareRead the guide ↓
4 min readUpdated November 2025Free assessment
Free
ACAT assessment cost
1800 200 422
My Aged Care
65+
Eligible age (50+ ATSI)
At home
Where assessment happens
What you'll find out

The ACAT (Aged Care Assessment Team) assessment is a free home visit that determines whether you're eligible for government-funded aged care and at what level.

It's the first formal step in accessing Support at Home — and it's free. This guide walks you through the 5 steps from first contact to package assigned.

The 5 steps to getting assessed

The process is straightforward once you know what to expect at each stage.

1
Register with My Aged Care
Call 1800 200 422 or visit myagedcare.gov.au. Have your Medicare card handy. A family member or carer can call on your behalf and help with registration.
2
Phone screening
My Aged Care will ask questions about your health, daily living, and care needs over the phone. Based on your responses, they will refer you to the right assessment team.
3
ACAT home visit
An assessor visits you at home (in Victoria, this team is called ACAS — Aged Care Assessment Service, but the process and outcome are the same). They assess your daily living, health, safety, and care needs. You can have a family member or support person present.
4
Receive your outcome letter
You will receive written confirmation of your eligibility and recommended support level. If approved for Support at Home, you are placed in a national queue for a package to be assigned.
5
Package assigned
Wait times vary by level and location. You will receive notification when a package becomes available. Once assigned, you can choose your provider and begin your care plan.

In Victoria: the team is called ACAS

In Victoria, the assessment team is called ACAS (Aged Care Assessment Service) — the process and outcome are the same as ACAT assessments in other states.

Tips for your ACAT assessment

These tips generally help families get the most accurate outcome:

Be honest about your worst days, not just your good days — the assessment should reflect your real care needs
Have a family member or carer present if possible, to help explain daily challenges
Write down your concerns and questions beforehand so nothing important is missed
Mention all health conditions, medications, and mobility issues — even those that seem minor
Ask the assessor to explain the outcome clearly and outline your review rights before they leave

What if I disagree with the outcome?

You have the right to request a review of your ACAT assessment outcome. If you feel your needs were not fully captured or that the assessment was inaccurate:

Contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 to request a formal review
You may ask a family member, carer, or advocate to support you through this process
The review is free — there is no cost to challenge an outcome

Source: Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. Review rights are subject to change — contact My Aged Care (1800 200 422) to confirm current processes.

After your assessment

Once approved, WithSally helps you choose the right provider — free.

After your ACAT assessment confirms eligibility, the hardest part is choosing from hundreds of approved Support at Home providers. We connect you with the right one for your situation and call you back within one business day. Always free.

Find my provider — it's free →