How to Apply for an Aged Care Assessment (My Aged Care Registration)
By FindMyHelp Editorial Team · Reviewed against official sources on
Whether it's a little help with cleaning or a move into an aged care home, government-funded aged care starts in the same place: an aged care assessment through My Aged Care. Applying is also how you register with My Aged Care. This guide walks you through applying, preparing, what happens on the day, and what to do with the result.
Who can apply?
Most government-funded aged care is for people who are (My Aged Care – CHSP):
- 65 years or older, or
- Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and aged 50 or older, or
- homeless, or at risk of homelessness, and aged 50 or older.
You can apply for yourself, or a family member, friend or carer can apply with your permission (My Aged Care).
Under 65 with a disability? You may be able to apply to the NDIS instead. Call the NDIS on 1800 800 110 (My Aged Care).
Three ways to apply
| How | What you need | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Online | Medicare card, contact details, 15–20 minutes | Apply online. You can apply for someone else |
| By phone | Medicare card | Call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422. Staff fill in the application with you, and a family member can join the call |
| In person | An appointment | Book with an Aged Care Specialist Officer at a Services Australia office on 1800 227 475 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm) |
Source: My Aged Care – How to apply for an assessment
Already registered, or already assessed? Or need care urgently? Don't use the online form. Call 1800 200 422 instead (My Aged Care – Apply online).
What the online form asks
The online form has three parts (My Aged Care – Apply online):
- Part A: describe your situation. About 10 minutes.
- Part B: your details. Your personal and contact details, and who the assessment organisation should contact. Have the Medicare card ready. This takes about 5 minutes.
- Part C: register a supporter (optional). About 5 minutes. My Aged Care suggests the older person and the supporter fill it in together.
My Aged Care keeps a record of your answers, so you won't have to repeat them at the assessment.
What happens after you apply
- Screening and priority. Your application is screened and sent to an assessment organisation with a referral priority based on how urgent your needs are.
- A phone call. The assessment organisation calls to confirm your identity and details, check you're eligible, make sure you agree to the assessment, and work out which type of assessment you need.
- A welcome pack arrives in the mail.
- The assessment is booked, usually at your home.
Source: My Aged Care – How to apply
How long will we wait?
My Aged Care says that, depending on how urgent your needs are, the assessment will usually take place within 5 to 40 days. From 1 April to 30 June 2026, the national median wait was 26 days from referral to assessment (My Aged Care, checked 26 October 2026). This is the latest quarter My Aged Care has published, and the figure is updated each quarter. Some people wait less and some wait more. It depends on your priority and on how many assessors there are in your area.
Need help urgently? Call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422. Some services can be provided short-term, before or without an assessment.
You can track your application in your My Aged Care Online Account through myGov.
How to prepare for the assessment
What to have ready
My Aged Care suggests having (My Aged Care – Preparing for your assessment):
- your Medicare card and one other form of ID, such as a driver's licence, healthcare card, passport or DVA card
- copies of any referrals from your doctor
- contact details for your GP and other health professionals
- information about any support you already get
- any information about aged care services you'd like to discuss.
Who can be there
You can have a family member, friend, carer or registered supporter with you. You can ask for an interpreter at any time. Older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can have an Elder Care Support worker with them. If there's no one you're comfortable with, a care finder may be able to come (My Aged Care).
Questions to ask the assessor
- What services could help me reach my goals?
- What's available locally, and what are the waiting times?
- What support is there for my carer?
- Are there providers who speak my language or understand my culture and background?
- How can I contact you after the assessment?
What happens at the assessment
A trained assessor usually comes to your home. They'll first ask whether you agree to the assessment, and whether they can talk to the people who support you (My Aged Care – How the assessment process works).
They use a standard set of questions called the Integrated Assessment Tool. It covers your physical health, medical conditions, thinking and memory, wellbeing, safety at home, support needs and risks. Together you'll build a Support Plan that records your strengths, difficulties, goals and preferences.
The Support Plan says which programs you're eligible for. That could be the Commonwealth Home Support Program, Support at Home (including short-term pathways), an aged care home, residential respite, transition care, or other programs.
Family tip: Be honest about bad days, not just good ones. Many older people play down how much help they need. The assessor needs a true picture.
If Support at Home is recommended
Your assessment also sets your Support at Home classification, which is your funding level (1 to 8), and your priority: urgent, high, medium or standard. Priority considers things such as living alone, cognitive impairment, homelessness risk, urgent need and Motor Neurone Disease (My Aged Care).
Getting your results
After the assessment, you (and your registered supporter, if you have one) will get a Notice of Decision letter and a copy of your Support Plan by post or email. The review can take up to 2 weeks. If you haven't heard after 2 weeks, call your assessment organisation (My Aged Care – Receiving your outcome; What to do while you wait).
Your Support Plan includes referral codes. You give these to the providers you choose.
If you disagree with the decision
- Talk to your assessment organisation first. Their details are in your letter.
- Ask for a free internal review. Write to the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing within 28 days of getting your letter, using the review form or a letter. A family member or registered supporter can write for you.
- The department will tell you within 90 days whether the decision stands or a new decision is made.
Source: My Aged Care – Receiving your assessment outcome
If your needs change later
You can ask for a Support Plan Review. If there's a big change, you may be referred for a full reassessment.
Support for carers while you wait
Caring while you wait for an outcome can be tiring. Carer Gateway offers support for carers, including emergency respite. Call 1800 422 737, Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm (My Aged Care).
Frequently asked questions
How do I register with My Aged Care?
You register by applying for an aged care assessment, online, by phone on 1800 200 422, or in person with an Aged Care Specialist Officer. Once you're registered, you can set up a My Aged Care Online Account through myGov.
Can I apply for an assessment for my mum or dad?
Yes, with their permission. My Aged Care recommends doing it together. You can also ask to become their registered supporter in the same form.
How long does an aged care assessment take to get?
Usually within 5 to 40 days, depending on urgency. The national median wait was 26 days from April to June 2026, the latest quarter published when we checked on 26 October 2026 (My Aged Care).
Does the assessment cost anything?
No. Asking for a review of the decision is also free (My Aged Care).
What should we bring to the assessment?
Your Medicare card and one other ID, any doctor's referrals, your GP's contact details, and information about support you already get.
What if we're told we're not eligible?
You'll get a letter explaining why. You can ask for a review within 28 days, look at non-government-funded (fee-paying) providers, or, if you're under 65, explore the NDIS.
After the assessment: find a provider near you
Find aged care and home support near you
Send one free request and get matched with local providers who have availability. Free for families and carers.
Once you have your referral codes, the next step is choosing a provider. Find aged care and home support providers near you on FindMyHelp. Compare local options and send one free request to get matched. It's free for families and carers.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Always check My Aged Care for your situation.