ACAT Application Support:
Know What to Expect and What to Do Next
Helping you to prepare for the Aged Care Assessment Team application
If you, or someone in your family, has been referred for an ACAT assessment, it's normal to feel uncertain. You might not know what the assessment involves, what's being decided, or what happens afterwards. This page explains what you can expect — and how CBR Care Link can support you through it.
What is an ACAT assessment?
An Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) assessment is an in-person (or virtual in certain circumstances) evaluation carried out by a team of healthcare professionals. It determines whether a person is eligible for government-subsidized aged care services, and if so, what level of care is appropriate.
An ACAT assessment is required before a person can access:
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Support at Home packages (SaH)
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Residential aged care
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Transition care following a hospital stay
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Some respite care services
The assessment looks at a person's medical, physical, psychological, and social needs. It's not a pass or fail — it's an information-gathering process to work out what support would help.
Who can request an ACAT assessment?
A referral can be made by a GP, Registered Nurse, hospital discharge team, specialist, or by the person themselves or their family. You can also call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 to request an assessment directly.
What does an ACAT assessment involve?
The assessor — usually a nurse, social worker, or allied health professional — will visit the person at home, in hospital, or in a residential facility. They'll ask questions about daily life, health, and care needs. Family members and carers are welcome and often encouraged to be present.
The process can feel clinical and move quickly. Many families find they weren't fully prepared to advocate for their loved one's needs in the moment, or didn't understand what the assessor was looking for.
What happens after the assessment?
You'll receive a written outcome letter explaining what the person has been approved for. The language can be technical, and the next steps aren't always clear. For many people, this is when the confusion really begins — what do the approval categories mean, how do you actually access services, and how long will it take?
How CBR Care Link helps:
We support families at every stage of the ACAT process:
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Before the assessment: Understanding what to expect, what questions to raise, and how to make sure the assessor gets a full picture of your needs
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During the process: Helping you feel prepared and confident in the room
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After the assessment: Explaining the outcome in plain language and identifying the right next steps — whether that's applying for a Support at Home Package, exploring residential care, or understanding your options further.
You will be supported by a Registered Nurse with extensive experience in aged and community care. We know the ACAT process from the clinical side and from the family side. Our job is to make sure you're not navigating it alone.
Support in Canberra and across Australia:
CBR Care Link provides face-to-face ACAT support across Canberra and the ACT region, and virtual support via video call for families anywhere in Australia.
If you are thinking of applying for Aged Care, an ACAT assessment is coming up and you want to feel more prepared, or if you've received an outcome you don't fully understand, contact us to see how we can help.