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Accessing care
Your eligibility
The Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT or ACAS in Victoria) (more information) in your area can talk to you and provide you with information, advice and help. The ACAT can assess whether you are eligible for Australian Government subsidised care:- an aged care home such as a low-level care home (formerly a hostel (more information)) or a high-level care home (formerly a nursing home (more information))
- programs to help you keep living at home, such as Community Aged Care Packages (more information), Extended Aged Care at Home (more information) and Extended Aged Care at Home Dementia (more information)
- short breaks (respite care (more information)) in an aged care home for you or your carer, or
- Transition Care Program (more information).
Getting an assessment
Australia’s aged care system is one of the best in the world, because it takes into account people’s widely differing circumstances. A phone call to your local ACAT will put you in touch with people in your area who understand what you’re going through and can assess your needs.These people are members of an Aged Care Assessment Team. One or more members will talk to you and give you an official assessment of your aged care needs. This assessment is the key to receiving Australian Government subsidised aged care.
Read more: About getting an assessment
Next step: Aged Care Assessment Team Finder
Finding a home
Once you have been assessed by an ACAT as eligible and approved for residential care, you will want to find out about homes in your area, or perhaps look for one that is close to family and friends. This website has a checklist to use when making the decision about which home(s) to apply for. It will help you work out which ones best suit your own needs and wishes.Read more: How to find a home
Applying to a home
Before you enter an aged care home, you usually complete an application form. There is a standard form that asks the essential information that an aged care home needs. Your ACAT can provide you with a form, or contact 1800 200 422. Alternatively, you can download a form from the Internet or get one from the aged care home.Read more: Applying to a home
Does the home have to accept me if I apply for a place?
The management of each aged care home can decide what care needs they can best cater for.Read more: About whether a home has to accept you
Moving in
If you decide to accept the offer of a place, there are a few things that you need to do such as filling out forms and contacting people to let them know where you are going.Read more: Moving in to a home
Common questions on this topic:
- Can I just move into an aged care home when I feel I'm ready?
- I need high-level care but I don't know how to track down Nursing Homes in my area. Is there a list of them anywhere?
- Can I choose what aged care home I go into or does the ACAT decide this for me?
See more common questions on this topic | See all common questions