Understanding the My Aged Care assessment
Not sure where to start? You are not alone.
Government-funded aged care can feel complicated when you are first trying to understand it.
My Aged Care is the Australian Government starting point for assessment and access to funded aged care.
WattleCare Services can help you understand what happens next, what information may be useful and when it is time to choose a provider.
If you have already completed your assessment and received a Support Plan, you may be further along than you think.
Once funding is available, you can choose a registered provider to deliver the services included in your Support Plan.
WattleCare Services can review the relevant information with you and talk through whether we can provide the care you need.
The first step for government-funded aged care
My Aged Care is the Australian Government starting point for aged-care information, assessments and access to funded services. Once a person has been assessed and approved, they can choose a registered aged-care provider that meets their needs and service area. WattleCare Services can help explain the general steps, but we do not replace My Aged Care or the formal assessment process.
My Aged Care arranges access to the Australian Government aged care system.
Through My Aged Care, you can:
- find information about aged care
- request an assessment
- receive information about your approved services
- access your Support Plan
- choose a registered aged care provider.
WattleCare Services does not determine eligibility or complete official My Aged Care assessments.
Formal aged-care assessments are arranged through the Australian Government aged-care system. WattleCare does not complete official My Aged Care assessments or determine government eligibility.
Four simple steps
You do not need to understand the entire aged-care system before asking for help. These are the main steps most people will encounter when exploring Australian Government-funded aged care.
01
Contact My Aged Care
Start by contacting My Aged Care and requesting an assessment if you have not already had one.
02
Have your assessment
The assessment looks at what is happening at home, what is becoming difficult and what support may help you remain safe and independent.
03
Receive your Support Plan
If you are approved for Support at Home, your decision and Support Plan will explain the services you have been approved to receive.
04
Choose your provider
Once funding is available, you can choose a registered provider that can safely deliver the services you need.
If you are considering WattleCare Services, we can talk through your Support Plan and the next steps with you.
A little preparation can help
You do not need to have everything perfectly organised.
It can help to think about:
What daily activities are becoming harder
Your current health needs and medicines
Recent hospital stays or changes in health
Mobility, falls or home safety concerns
Support already provided by family, friends or community services
What you would like to keep doing independently
What would make life at home safer or easier
Questions you would like to ask
The assessment should reflect the support you genuinely need, not only what you can manage on your best day.
That is genuinely useful advice for an older person or their chosen support people preparing for assessment.
You can ask for help before you understand it all.
You do not need to understand the whole aged care system before speaking with us.
Tell us where you are up to and we can help you understand the next step.
If WattleCare Services is not the right service for your needs, we will tell you and help point you in the right direction where we can.
