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Step-by-Step Guide

How to apply for residential aged care

The process involves a few key steps. Starting early — even before it feels urgent — always makes it easier.

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5 min readUpdated April 2026Free for families
5 steps
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The short version

Getting into residential aged care involves a few key steps. The process can take time, so starting early — even before it feels urgent — is always the right move.

An assessment must come first — without it, you cannot access government-subsidised care. Everything after that flows from your assessment outcome.

The 5-step process

01
Get assessed
Required first
An aged care assessment is required before accessing government-subsidised residential care. This is carried out by a qualified aged care assessment team and is free of charge. You or a family member can request an assessment through the national aged care contact line.
02
Research facilities
WithSally helps here
Once assessed, start looking at facilities in your preferred area. Consider location, specialist capabilities (dementia, palliative care), staffing levels and ratios, and how the environment feels when you visit. Not all facilities are equal — a site visit matters.
03
Apply to your chosen facilities
Apply widely
Most facilities operate a waitlist. Apply to several at once — you are not committed to any facility until you sign a Resident Agreement. Keeping your options open is the smart move, especially when timelines are uncertain.
04
Receive and review an offer
Take your time
When a place becomes available, the facility will contact you. You will receive a Resident Agreement outlining fees, services, and terms. Read it carefully — you can take time to decide. Do not feel pressured to sign immediately.
05
Sign and move in
Confirm everything first
Once you accept, agree on a move-in date with the facility. Before signing, confirm the full fee structure and exactly what is included in the quoted costs. Your adviser can help you ask the right questions before you commit.

Tips for the waiting period

Waitlists can be long. Here is how to manage the period between applying and being offered a place:

Stay on multiple waitlists simultaneously — there is no obligation until you sign
Keep your assessment current — assessments can expire, so check the validity period
Inform facilities of any change in urgency — facilities sometimes prioritise urgent cases
Consider respite care as a bridge if care is needed urgently while you wait for a permanent place

WithSally is always free for families. We are paid by the facility when you sign a Resident Agreement — you never pay us directly.

How WithSally helps

We help you shortlist the right facilities based on location, specialty, and what matters most to your family. We will walk you through what to look for on a site visit and what questions to ask before signing anything.

We stay with you through the process — from your first enquiry through to move-in day. Our advisers call back within one business day, and there is no cost to you at any point.

How WithSally helps

Ready to start the process?

Tell us what you need and we will help you find the right facility — free, always. An adviser will call back within one business day.

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