Learn about the eligibility and the steps involved in submitting your application.
A My Aged Care Assessment is a formal eligibility and needs assessment conducted to determine what government-subsidised aged care services you qualify for.
It evaluates:
All government aged care assessments are arranged through My Aged Care. You can:
Preparation helps ensure the assessment accurately reflects your needs.
Before your appointment:
It is important to be honest about your challenges. Many older Australians understate their needs, which can result in approval for a lower level of funding.
The Community Home Support Package (CHSP) is a government-funded program that provides basic support services to older individuals who need assistance with daily tasks to remain living independently at home. Local Guardians is not a CHSP provider and can only provide support to those with a Support at Home Funding.
If you or a family member are aged 65 or older (50+ if Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander) and beginning to need more help at home, you may be eligible for the Australian Government’s Support at Home program.
Support at Home is the government-funded aged care program designed to help older Australians remain living independently at home for longer. It provides access to:
Even if you only need minimal help, entering the My Aged Care system early is strongly recommended. Waiting times for funding can be significant, and early application protects your future access to support if your needs increase.
Importantly, applying does not lock you into regular spending. You are only required to access your funding once per year and you remain in control of which services you use.
The first step to accessing government aged care services at home is completing a My Aged Care Assessment.
You cannot receive government-funded Support at Home or residential aged care without first undergoing this assessment.
The assessment allows the government to:
The first step to accessing government aged care services at home is completing a My Aged Care Assessment.
You cannot receive government-funded Support at Home or residential aged care without first undergoing this assessment.
The assessment allows the government to:
A My Aged Care Assessment is a formal eligibility and needs assessment conducted to determine what government-subsidised aged care services you qualify for.
It evaluates:
All government aged care assessments are arranged through My Aged Care. You can:
Preparation helps ensure the assessment accurately reflects your needs.
Before your appointment:
It is important to be honest about your challenges. Many older Australians understate their needs, which can result in approval for a lower level of funding.
The assessment usually takes 45 to 75 minutes and is most often conducted in your home. In some cases, it may occur by phone or video.
During the assessment, you will be asked about:
Following the assessment, you will receive a written outcome outlining your approved services and funding level.
Assessment outcomes are generally issued within two to six weeks.
If approved for Support at Home, you will enter the national prioritisation system and wait for funding allocation. Waiting periods can extend for several months, depending on demand, so applying early is strongly recommended.
In some cases, you may be able to receive interim services while waiting for your Support at Home funding to become available, either through a lower level of funding or the Community Home Support Package (CHSP).
Once funding becomes available, you will receive a referral code that allows you to choose your preferred government-approved provider.
Being approved for Support at Home Funding means that you have been assessed by an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) or the Aged Care Assessment Service (ACAS) as eligible to receive government-subsidised home care services.
Being assigned Support at Home Funding means that you have been allocated a specific level of funding from the government to pay for those services. The level of funding you receive is determined by the ACAT or ACAS based on your care needs and the availability of funding.
Consider applying when you first notice:
After approval, you can choose an aged care provider to manage and coordinate your Support at Home services.
Providers may differ in:
When Support at Home Funding is assigned, you have 56 days to accept the offer. If the offer is not accepted within this timeframe, the funding may be withdrawn and offered to another client on the waiting list.
If you require more time, you can request a once-off extension of an additional 28 days by calling My Aged Care on 1800 200 422.
If you no longer need your Support at Home Funding, you can choose to end it at any time. You will need to provide written notice to your service provider, and any unspent funds will be returned to the government.
One of the most common mistakes is waiting too long to begin the process.
Starting early protects your independence, increases your options, and ensures smoother access to government-funded aged care services at home when you need them.
If you have any questions, contact our friendly team.
To be eligible for Support at Home Funding, you must be over 65 years of age (or over 50 years if you identify as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander) and have been assessed by the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) as needing support to continue living at home.
To apply for Support at Home Funding, you need to contact My Aged Care and request an assessment by an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT). The ACAT will determine your eligibility and the level of support you require. Once you have been approved, you can choose a service provider and begin receiving your Support at Home funding.
VIC & TAS: (03) 7067 0555
NSW & ACT: (02) 7227 7661
QLD & NT: (07) 2139 7090
WA & SA: (08) 6383 8819