Navigating My Aged Care
When considering home support services as you get older, My Aged Care is a great place to start.
Who is My Aged Care?
My Aged Care is the point of entry to government-funded aged care services.
If you're eligible for funding through My Aged Care, you may be able to access the following types of care or support:
- Help at home (services that help you stay in your own home longer)
- Short-term care (this refers to temporary support services)
- Aged care homes or a nursing home (an option for older people who can no longer live at home)
Am I eligible for My Aged Care?
Your eligibility for support through My Aged Care will consider:
- Your age: You must be 65 years or older, or 50 years or older for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders
- Your needs: Your health, how well you are currently managing at home and the level of support you currently receive.
- An assessment: An aged care assessment will be required to determine your eligibility and the services you qualify for.
You may also be eligible for support if you are 50 years or older (45 years or older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) and on a low income, experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness.
To find out your eligibility for support, contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or apply for an assessment online.
What happens during a My Aged Care assessment?
After contacting My Aged Care, they'll arrange for an Aged Care Assessor to come to your home for a free, face-to-face assessment.
The assessment considers your age, living situation and ability to perform basic daily living tasks without extra help. You can opt to have someone else - perhaps a friend, family member, independent aged care advocate or your carer - attend your assessment for extra support.
What happens after my assessment?
Following your assessment, the My Aged Care team will inform you if you're eligible for care and provide an individual support plan to share with your provider.
Depending on the level of care you require, you will be allocated funding for services through:
It's important to get assessed as soon as you think you need in-home support, as you may be placed on the national waitlist, which can take up to 12 months to allocate services, depending on the level of care you have been approved for.
If you are not eligible for support through My Aged Care, you may still be able to access home care services through privately funded means. Please get in touch with us if you would like to discuss this option.
What if I am on the waitlist? Can I still receive care?
Please contact your My Aged Care assessor, and they will help you find out which options available to you.
How can I contact My Aged Care?
Call: 1800 200 422
Monday to Friday from 8am to 8pm
Saturday from 10am to 2pm
Online: myagedcare.gov.au
Our AccessCare team are also here to help answer your questions and ensure the process is not overwhelming.
Call us on 1300 819 200