Assessing your needs and eligibility
To work out exactly what kind of help you need at home, you need to be assessed. If you would like Government assistance for home support, this starts with an initial screening when you get in touch with the My Aged Care contact centre.
When you first call the contact centre on 1800 200 422, an operator will register you and ask you a number of questions about your personal circumstances and care needs such as:
- Are you currently receiving aged care services?
- Are you getting support from a carer or family member?
- Can you prepare your own meals and do housework?
- Do you need assistance taking a shower or bath and do you need help getting dressed?
- Are there any health concerns or did you have a recent fall?
- Do you feel lonely or isolated?
- Are there any safety risk in the home?
Depending on the outcome of this initial screening the contact centre operator will refer you for either a RAS or ACAT/S home support assessment:
- To determine if you are eligible for basic home support through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) you will be assessed by a Regional Assessment Service (RAS).
- A member of an Aged Care Assessment Team/Service (ACAT/S) will visit you at home to determine if higher intensity support through a Home Care Package will meet your needs.
The My Aged Care contact centre operator will assign you an aged care client number and will open a central client record. This includes information about your assessed needs and Government funded care services you have been found eligible for will be added to this record.
The next step will be a face-to-face meeting with a RAS or ACAT worker to work out the best care option for your situation.
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