Applying for My Aged Care

Applying for aged care support can feel confusing at first, especially when care needs have changed quickly after a fall, hospital stay, illness, or loss of confidence at home. The good news is that My Aged Care is designed to be the main starting point for Australian Government-funded aged care services.

Through My Aged Care, older people can be assessed for support at home, the restorative care pathways, respite, residential aged care, and other services that help with daily life. This guide explains who may be eligible, how to apply, what happens during assessment, and how to prepare for the best result.

What My Aged Care does

My Aged Care is the Australian Government’s entry point for aged care services. It helps people understand available support, register for an assessment, and connect with approved providers.

You can use My Aged Care to:

• Check whether you may be eligible for government-funded aged care

• Apply for an assessment online or by phone

• Arrange an assessment of your care needs

• Receive referrals to services

• Compare aged care providers

• Learn about fees, rights, and care options

  
  

The official website is the safest place to begin, as rules, programs, and service names can change over time. Start here:

Official My Aged Care link	What it helps with
My Aged Care homepage	Main entry point for aged care information
Check eligibility	Find out whether you may qualify for services
Apply for an assessment online	Start an application
Assessment information	Learn what happens during an assessment
Contact My Aged Care	Find phone and contact options

Who may be eligible for My Aged Care

Eligibility is based on age, care needs, and circumstances. My Aged Care is generally for older people who need help with everyday tasks, personal care, health-related support, or safe living at home.

You may be eligible if you are:

• 65 years or older

• 50 years or older and an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person

• 50 years or older and on a low income, homeless, or at risk of homelessness

• 45 years or older and an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person on a low income, homeless, or at risk of homelessness

  
  

Age alone does not guarantee approval. The assessment looks at what support is needed and whether government-funded aged care is the right pathway.

Common reasons people apply include:

• Finding it harder to shower, dress, cook, clean, or shop

• Needing help after a hospital stay

• Having reduced mobility or a higher risk of falls

• Feeling isolated and needing social support

• Caring responsibilities becoming too much for a partner or family member

• Needing changes in the home to remain independent, such as rails or ramps

• Wanting help to stay at home safely for longer

  
  

If someone is younger and living with disability, the National Disability Insurance Scheme or other support systems may be more suitable. My Aged Care can still guide callers to the right place if aged care is not the best fit.

Services available through My Aged Care

My Aged Care does not provide all services directly. Instead, it helps assess needs and refer eligible people to government-funded programs and approved providers.

The exact services available depend on the assessment outcome, local providers, funding, and the person’s goals.

Support at Home

Support at Home is part of Australia’s aged care system for helping older people live safely and independently in their own homes. It may include practical, personal, clinical, and restorative supports.

Examples include:

• Personal care, such as help with showering and dressing

• Domestic assistance, such as cleaning and laundry

• Meal preparation or delivered meals

• Transport to appointments and community activities

• Nursing care

• Allied health, such as physiotherapy or occupational therapy

• Home modifications and assistive equipment

• Social support and community participation

• Respite to give carers a break

  
  

Program names and arrangements can change, so check the types of care listed by My Aged Care for the current details.

Restorative Care

Restorative Care is short-term support (up to 16 weeks) that helps people improve or regain skills after a setback. It may suit someone who has lost strength, balance, or confidence after illness, injury, surgery, or time in hospital.

Restorative support may involve:

• Physiotherapy or Exercise Physiology to improve mobility, strength and confidence

• Occupational therapy to practise daily tasks or assess for home modifications or equipment to support independence

• Goal-based planning, such as walking to the mailbox or preparing simple meals again

  
  

The focus is on improving what a person can do to restore their functional independence, rather than providing ongoing help.

Residential aged care

Residential aged care may be suitable when living at home is no longer safe or practical, even with support. An assessment can determine whether a person is eligible for permanent residential aged care or short-term residential respite.

This care may include:

• Accommodation

• Meals

• Personal care

• Nursing support

• Social activities

• Dementia support, where available

• Palliative care, where needed

  
  

Respite care

Respite care supports both the older person and their carer. It gives carers time to rest, attend appointments, travel, or manage other responsibilities.

Respite may be provided:

• In the home

• In a community setting

• In a residential aged care home for a short stay

  
  

Commonwealth Home Support Programme

The Commonwealth Home Support Programme, often called CHSP, provides entry-level support for people who need a small amount of help to remain at home.

Services may include:

• Cleaning

• Transport

• Meals

• Social support

• Personal care

• Home maintenance

• Minor home modifications

• Allied health services

  
  

An assessor will decide whether CHSP or a higher level of support is more suitable.

How to apply for My Aged Care

The application process is easier when broken into small steps. The same broad pathway applies whether applying for yourself, a parent, partner, neighbour, or someone you care for.

Step 1. Check eligibility

Start with the official My Aged Care eligibility page. This gives a general idea of whether aged care services may be suitable.

Have a think about the kinds of tasks that have become harder. Focus on daily life, not just medical diagnoses.

Helpful questions include:

• Is it harder to shower, dress, cook, or clean?

• Are there concerns about falls or getting around safely?

• Is transport becoming difficult?

• Has memory, mood, or confidence changed?

• Is a carer becoming tired or unable to keep up?

• Would short-term support help recovery after illness or hospital?

  
  

Write down examples before applying. Specific examples make the next steps much easier.

Step 2. Gather basic information

Before starting the application, collect the details My Aged Care may ask for.

Useful information includes:

• Medicare card details

• Contact details

• Cultural or language preferences

• Current health conditions

• Current supports, such as family help or private services

• Recent hospital stays or falls

• Details of a carer or trusted contact or representative, if someone is applying on the person’s behalf - CBR Care Links can act as a representative if required

  
  

If the applicant wants someone else to speak to My Aged Care for them, consent will usually be needed. This may be verbal consent over the phone or a more formal representative arrangement, depending on the situation.

Step 3. Apply online or by phone

There are two main ways to start.

You can apply online through the official My Aged Care online assessment application.

You can also contact My Aged Care by phone through the details on the official contact page. The national contact centre can help with registration, screening, and general questions.

For many people, applying by phone feels easier because a staff member can ask questions and explain what comes next. Online applications can suit people who prefer to work through forms at their own pace.

When applying, be honest about what is happening on a difficult day. Many people understate their needs because they are used to coping. The assessment works best when it reflects the real level of support needed.

Step 4. Complete the screening process

After the application starts, My Aged Care will ask questions about care needs, safety, health, mobility, personal care, home life, and current support.

This screening helps decide what type of assessment is needed.

The person may be referred for:

• A home support assessment for entry-level help

• A comprehensive assessment for more complex or higher care needs

  
  

Step 5. The assessment

The assessment is usually a conversation with a trained assessor. It may happen in person, often at home, or by other methods (such as over the phone or via video call) depending on the person’s needs and local arrangements.

The assessor may ask about your current daily life, factors that influence your independence and the kinds of things you may want from a support or short-term care package, including:

• What daily tasks are difficult

• Personal care needs

• Mobility and falls

• Home safety

• Memory and decision-making

• Meals and nutrition

• Social connection

• Carer stress

• Health conditions

• Goals, such as staying at home, walking more safely, or getting out socially

  
  

A family member, carer, interpreter, advocate, or trusted person can usually be present. This can be very helpful, especially if the applicant feels nervous or forgets details.

The assessment is not about judging someone. It is about matching support to real needs.

Step 6. Receive the assessment outcome

After the assessment, the applicant will receive an outcome. This may include approvals for certain care types, referrals for services, or advice about other options.

Possible outcomes include:

• Approval for entry-level home support

• Approval for Support at Home or a similar home care pathway

• Approval for Short-Term Restorative Care or restorative supports

• Approval for respite care

• Approval for residential aged care

• Referral to non-aged-care supports if another service is more suitable

  
  

The assessor should explain what has been approved and what to do next. Keep copies of letters, referral codes, care plans, and any notes from conversations.

How CBR Links can help

If the process of the application, navigating the services or undertaking an assessment is daunting, we are here to help. With a breadth of experience in Aged Care systems, CBR Care Links can support your application and help you prepare for a successful assessment which meets your needs and directs the care how you want it.