ACAT Assessment Support:
Making sure you're heard
Helping you to prepare for the Aged Care Assessment Team application
If you have applied for an ACAT assessment, it is important to know what to expect and how to prepare, so that you feel that your, or your family members', needs are heard.
Please note that the Assessment Support service is a face-to-face service and is not presently offered virtually.
What to Expect from an ACAT assessment
An Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) assessment, often referred to as a comprehensive assessment through My Aged Care, is a face-to-face (or virtual in certain circumstances) evaluation to determine your care needs and what type of government-funded support you are eligible to receive.
Here is a short summary of what happens:
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The Visit: A team member (typically a nurse, social worker, or allied health professional) visits you at home, in your residential setting, or in the hospital to chat about your day-to-day life and health.
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The Discussion: They will ask about your physical health, mobility, memory, medication management, how well you manage daily tasks (like cooking, cleaning, and shopping), and what support you currently have (such as help from family).
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The Goal: The assessor evaluates your level of independence to see if you qualify for programs like the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP), a Support at Home package, or approval for residential aged care (respite or permanent care).
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The Outcome: After the assessment, you receive a support plan detailing the services you are approved for, which you can use to start choosing care providers.
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 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.