Key Takeaways
- My Aged Care remains the starting point for entry-level CHSP and more comprehensive in-home aged-care pathways
- Describe honestly how you manage day to day, including tasks you find difficult, help you rely on and changes in your needs
- Have your Medicare card and another ID, any doctor referrals or health-professional contacts, and details of the support you already receive; bring relevant health information if it helps explain your needs
- Having a family member present can help ensure nothing important is missed
- If you disagree with the outcome, raise it with the assessment organisation and consider a free internal review within 28 days; advocacy support is available
A My Aged Care assessment is the first step towards government-funded aged care services in Australia. It helps identify your needs and the services you may be eligible for, but it does not guarantee approval, funding, provider availability or a start date.
This guide explains what to expect, what to prepare and how to describe your day-to-day needs clearly and honestly.
What is a My Aged Care Assessment?
A My Aged Care assessment is a conversation between you (and your family, if you wish) and a trained assessor. Its purpose is to understand your health, daily living needs, and goals — then recommend appropriate government-funded support.
There are two types of assessment:
Home support assessment
Used to understand entry-level support needs. The assessment organisation will arrange the format and location with you.
Comprehensive assessment
Used when needs are more complex or a more comprehensive aged-care pathway may be appropriate. Current consumer guidance does not set one standard duration for every assessment.
Current update: CHSP entry-level support has been extended to 30 June 2029 while the government consults on its long-term design alongside Support at Home. Your assessment is still the practical starting point for understanding which aged-care pathway suits your needs now.
Key point: The assessor is not there to catch you out. They want to understand your genuine needs so you can receive appropriate support. Be honest about your difficulties — this is not the time to put on a brave face.
Before the Assessment: What to Prepare
Good preparation helps the assessor understand your situation. My Aged Care recommends having the following available:
Documents to Gather
- Medicare card and another form of identification
- Doctor referrals and health-professional contact details — if relevant to your application
- Details of the support you already receive — who helps, with what tasks and how often
- Questions you want to ask — write them down before the appointment
- Relevant health information — a medicines list, hospital summary or clinical report may help explain your needs when it applies to you
- Support-person details — family, friend, carer, registered supporter, interpreter or advocate you want involved
- Power of Attorney or guardianship documents (if applicable)
Describe Your Day-to-Day Needs Honestly
Explain how you manage on typical and difficult days, the help you rely on and any recent changes. Use real examples rather than presenting only your best or worst day.
"Describe what you can do, what is difficult, what help you already receive and what has changed. Real examples from day-to-day life help the assessor understand your situation clearly."
— Chrystelle Amouzou, RN, Independent Nurse Consultant
During the Assessment: What to Expect
The assessor will ask about many areas of your life. Being prepared for these topics helps you provide complete, honest answers:
| Area | What They'll Ask About |
|---|---|
| Daily living | Bathing, dressing, toileting, eating, mobility around the home |
| Household tasks | Cooking, cleaning, laundry, shopping, managing finances |
| Health conditions | Diagnoses, pain, continence, falls history, mental health |
| Medications | What you take, how you manage them, any difficulties |
| Cognition | Memory, decision-making, confusion, wandering |
| Social & emotional | Loneliness, depression, anxiety, social connections |
| Home environment | Safety hazards, stairs, bathroom accessibility, equipment needs |
| Carer situation | Who helps you, their health, carer stress, sustainability |
Having Family Present
You are welcome to have a family member, friend, or advocate present during the assessment. This can be helpful because:
- They can provide additional information about your needs (especially if you tend to minimise difficulties)
- They can describe the impact of caring on their own health and wellbeing
- They can help you remember important details
- They can ask questions you might not think of
Questions to Ask the Assessor
Don't be afraid to ask questions during the assessment. Good questions include:
- What level of support am I likely to be approved for?
- How long will it take to receive a decision?
- What happens if my needs change before the support starts?
- Can I choose my own provider?
- What if I disagree with the assessment outcome?
- Is there any interim support available while I wait?
- Can my carer also be assessed for support?
- What equipment or home modifications might I be eligible for?
Common Preparation Gaps
These common preparation gaps can make it harder for an assessor to understand your full situation:
Saying "I'm fine" or "I manage"
Be specific and accurate about tasks that are difficult, the help you rely on and how often needs change.
Tidying up before the assessor arrives
If you normally struggle to keep the house clean, don't clean up specially. The assessor needs to see your real environment.
Not mentioning falls or near-misses
Falls history is a major factor in determining support needs. Even near-misses and "almost fell" moments are important to mention.
Forgetting to mention carer burnout
If your family carer is exhausted, stressed, or unwell, this is critical information. Carer sustainability directly affects your support level.
Not having supporting documents ready
Bring the core identification and support information My Aged Care requests. Relevant clinical information can help explain needs, but it does not guarantee a decision.
After the Assessment: What Happens Next
After your assessment, the following steps occur:
- Outcome information — You'll receive a Notice of Decision and support plan explaining the assessment outcome and approved services, if any.
- Referral and funding steps — depending on the pathway, you may receive referral information and may need to wait for funding allocation before connecting with a provider.
- Choose a registered provider — compare approved services, published prices, availability and service-agreement terms.
- Care plan — Your chosen provider will work with you to develop a care plan based on your assessed needs and goals.
- Services begin — Support starts according to your care plan. You can adjust services as your needs change.
What If You Disagree with the Outcome?
If you believe the assessment didn't accurately capture your needs, you have options:
- Request an internal review — discuss concerns with the assessment organisation. If you disagree with the Notice of Decision, you or your registered supporter can request a free internal review within 28 days and provide relevant information.
- Contact an advocate — The Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) on 1800 700 600 provides free, independent advocacy.
- Understand the right process — an internal review challenges a decision; a Support Plan Review is a different process used when needs later change.
How CHNSS Can Help
As an independent nurse consultant, CHNSS provides personalised assessment preparation support:
- Pre-assessment consultation — We can help you organise relevant information, questions and day-to-day examples.
- Assessment support — where agreed and appropriate, we can support you to communicate your questions and preferences.
- Post-assessment support — We help you understand the outcome, choose a provider, and set up your care plan.
- Review preparation — if you disagree with a decision, we can help you understand the published review information and organise relevant material.
Remember: The assessment is a conversation about your needs and goals, not a performance. If you would value independent preparation support, you can book a complimentary consultation with CHNSS. My Aged Care and the assessment organisation make all eligibility and service decisions.
Trusted Australian Resources
CHNSS is independent of these organisations. We link to them as trusted Australian resources to support your healthcare journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
There is no single official time published for every assessment. An assessment organisation will contact you to arrange a suitable time. Assessments are usually in person at your home or current residence, but may be at another location or by phone or video depending on your circumstances. Set aside enough time to discuss your goals, health, day-to-day tasks and current support, and ask the assessor what to expect when the appointment is arranged.
Yes. You can have a family member, friend, or advocate present. They can provide additional information and help you remember important details.
My Aged Care remains the place to start. CHSP continues to provide entry-level support through 30 June 2029 while the government consults on longer-term arrangements, so the assessor can guide you toward the pathway that matches your needs.
First, discuss your concerns with the assessment organisation listed in your outcome letter. If you disagree with the Notice of Decision, you or your registered supporter can request a free internal review within 28 days and provide new relevant information. The letter explains how to apply, or you can use the My Aged Care internal-review form. For independent support, contact OPAN on 1800 700 600. If your needs change later, ask about a Support Plan Review.
Yes. CHNSS provides pre-assessment consultations to help you gather documents, articulate your needs, and ensure you're fully prepared.
Healthcare Disclaimer: This article provides general information only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for advice specific to your situation. CHNSS provides independent nursing consultation and healthcare navigation — not medical diagnosis or treatment.
