Aged care assessment explained

Understand the assessment

An aged care assessment helps build a clearer picture of daily support needs, health and safety concerns, how someone is managing at home, and what kind of help may fit best.

It is not about passing or failing. It is about understanding what help may be needed.

When might an assessment help?

Personal care, meals or housework are becoming difficult.
There are mobility, falls or memory concerns.
Needs have changed after illness, injury or a hospital stay.
Family members are providing more help or feeling overwhelmed.

What does it consider?

Daily activities, mobility, cognition, health, home safety, social support and the caregiver situation all contribute to the overall picture.

To request an assessment, use My Aged Care’s assessment information or call 1800 200 422.

Prepare and take part

Before the assessment

Write down what daily life is like, including the harder days. Describe both what the person can do independently and what help they already receive.

Which tasks are getting harder?
What support do family or friends already provide?
Has there been a recent fall, illness or hospital stay?
Are meals, medicines, personal care or mobility becoming harder?
What matters most to the person?
Is the caregiver becoming overwhelmed?

During the assessment

Explain concrete examples rather than simply saying everything is fine. Describe changes over time and any differences between good and difficult days. With the person’s agreement, a family member or trusted supporter can help them explain their situation.

Ask what information the assessor needs and what will happen next. You do not need to perform well or already know which service to request.

Common mistakes

Minimising difficulties, describing only good days and overlooking unpaid family support can leave an incomplete picture. Be honest without taking the person’s voice out of the conversation.

Understand the next step

After the assessment, ask what the outcome means, what support may be appropriate and who to contact with questions. The next step may involve comparing providers, planning support at home or understanding funding.

Does an assessment mean moving into care?

No. Many assessments help identify support that could assist someone at home.

Do we need to know what care is needed first?

No. The assessment helps work this out.

What if the process feels overwhelming?

Focus on one step at a time. Keep a written list of questions and ask for information to be explained in plain language.

Related guides

Source

My Aged Care. (n.d.). How to get assessed.

Country: Australia. Updated September 2026. General educational information; confirm individual arrangements with My Aged Care.