Aged care — getting started
When to start, how to register, and what happens at an aged care assessment.
When should we start looking at aged care?
Earlier than you think. Aged care is designed for orderly entry, not crises. If you're starting to wonder, that's a fine time to register and get assessed. An assessment doesn't commit you to anything and stays valid for about 12 months.
The single biggest pitfall in aged care is waiting for a hospital discharge or a fall before starting. By then you're under time pressure and making expensive decisions in a hurry.
How do we start?
Go to myagedcare.gov.au or call 1800 200 422. They'll register you and arrange an assessment under the Single Assessment System.
What's the Single Assessment System?
It's the unified assessment process that replaced two separate teams (RAS for lower-level needs, ACAT for higher-level). The Single Assessment System started rolling out from late 2024 and has been the standard since the new Aged Care Act commenced on 1 November 2025. Now there's one assessor and one assessment that determines what you're eligible for across all the aged care programs.
What happens at the assessment?
A trained aged care assessor visits you (usually at home) for about an hour or two. They have a conversation with you about your health, what you can manage, what's getting harder, and what matters to you. You don't need to prepare evidence the way you do for the NDIS — the assessor is there to listen.
You can have family or a support person present. Many people find that helpful.
How long does it take to get assessed?
Most people are assessed within two to three weeks of registration in lower-demand areas. In high-demand regions it can take longer.
What happens after the assessment?
You'll get a letter that says what you've been approved for — Support at Home (with a classification level), CHSP, residential aged care, or specific pathways like Restorative Care, AT-HM (Assistive Technology and Home Modifications) or End-of-Life. You then choose providers and start setting up services.
More questions
General
What Greenbees does, who runs it, what it costs (free).
NDIS — eligibility and access
Who can apply, what evidence works, how long it takes, what to do if you're refused.
NDIS — planning and supports
How planning meetings work, what 'reasonable and necessary' means, the differences between Core, Capacity Building, and Capital.
NDIS — recent changes
What changed in 2024 — Support Lists, plan budgets, Foundational Supports.
Aged care — Support at Home
The new program from 1 November 2025 — what it covers, what you pay, the short-term pathways.
Aged care — residential care
When residential is the right answer, RAD vs DAP, your rights, switching providers.
Aged care — costs
How the means test works, the family home, indicative costs by means bracket, where to get free advice.
Between NDIS and aged care
Turning 65, being on both, the under-65-in-aged-care trap.
Carers
Three doors of carer support, recognising burnout, getting help today.
Still not sure?
Run the Funding Finder — answer a dozen quick questions and we'll show you which schemes apply and what to do next.