ACAT assessment: How to prepare and what to expect
An ACAT assessment is the familiar name many Australians use for an aged care needs assessment. It helps determine what support you need and which government-funded aged care services you may be eligible for. To prepare, gather your identification and health information, note where daily life has become harder, and think about what you would like help with.
If you are arranging an assessment for yourself or someone you love, you may feel unsure about what to say or what happens afterwards. You don’t have to face it alone. Understanding the process can help you approach the conversation with more confidence.
Quick Summary
- An assessment helps identify your care needs and suitable support.
- The current process operates through the Single Assessment System.
- You can apply through My Aged Care.
- Preparing documents and everyday examples can help.
- You can involve someone you trust in the process.
- Your assessment outcome explains the next steps.
What is an ACAT assessment?
ACAT stands for Aged Care Assessment Team. Although families and health professionals may still use this term, Australia’s assessment arrangements have changed.
From 9 December 2024, the Single Assessment System brought together the previous aged care assessment workforces. Its purpose is to provide a more consistent pathway as people’s needs change. You can read about the changes in the Australian Government’s Single Assessment System guide.
The assessment looks at the help you need and the types of government-funded care you may qualify for. It is a step towards understanding your options, rather than a commitment to moving into an aged care home.
If the language feels unfamiliar, our guide to common aged care terms explains some of the words you may encounter.
How to prepare for your ACAT assessment
You do not need polished answers. The most useful preparation is to think about your everyday experience, including what you manage comfortably and where you need help.
Gather your information
My Aged Care recommends having your Medicare card and another form of identification ready, along with any existing doctor referrals, health professional contact details and information about support you receive.
Our preparation checklist brings these requirements together with a few practical suggestions:
- Have your Medicare card and another form of identification ready.
- Gather existing referrals and health professional contact details.
- Record the help you currently receive.
- Note everyday difficulties you want to discuss.
- Write down your questions and personal priorities.
- Arrange a trusted supporter or interpreter if you would like one.
You can check the official requirements in My Aged Care’s assessment preparation guide.
Describe the help behind the task
Saying “I manage my meals” may leave out the fact that your daughter shops, prepares food and checks that you have eaten.
Try to explain both what you do independently and what makes it possible. For example: “I can heat a prepared meal, but I no longer feel confident using the stove.”
Specific examples help make your circumstances clearer. There is no need to exaggerate difficulties or minimise the things you can still do.
Think about changes over time
It may help to make a few notes over several days. Perhaps mornings are manageable, but getting ready for bed is becoming difficult. You may feel comfortable at home while finding outings exhausting.
If you are supporting a parent, discuss these observations with them respectfully. Their experience and wishes should remain central to the conversation.
Be realistic about family support
Consider whether the help currently provided by relatives can continue. A family member may be balancing work, caring for children or managing their own health.
It is reasonable to explain those limits. A plan that depends on help someone cannot reliably provide may leave gaps later.
What questions might the assessor ask?
Assessors gather information through questions, observations and relevant records, with consent where required. They consider areas such as health, social support and the home environment when identifying care needs. How aged care needs assessments work
The examples below illustrate the kind of conversation you might prepare for. They are not an official questionnaire.
| Illustrative question | A useful way to prepare |
| How are you managing everyday activities? | Think through an ordinary day and where help is needed. |
| Who currently helps you? | Note what each person does and how often they assist. |
| Is anything at home becoming difficult or unsafe? | Describe a specific incident or recurring concern. |
| What would you like support to help you do? | Think about routines, activities or connections you want to maintain. |
You might say, “I would like to keep attending my weekly group, but I cannot get there without someone driving me.”
That gives the conversation a personal goal. It explains what matters to you as well as the practical difficulty.
If you cannot remember something during the appointment, say so. You can ask how to provide additional information afterwards.
How do you arrange an aged care assessment?
You can start through My Aged Care in three ways.
Online: Complete the assessment application through the My Aged Care website.
By phone: Call 1800 200 422 to discuss your circumstances and apply.
In person: Book an appointment with an Aged Care Specialist Officer at a Services Australia office by calling 1800 227 475.
With your permission, you can nominate another person to be your Registered Supporter and they can help you to apply. An assessment organisation will then contact you to discuss your needs and arrange the next steps. See how to apply for an assessment.
Who can apply?
Eligibility depends on care needs and circumstances as well as age. The usual age requirement is 65 or older, or 50 or older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
Meeting an age requirement does not automatically mean you qualify for services. My Aged Care’s eligibility guidance can help you understand whether to apply.
For families looking for an ACAT assessment in Perth or elsewhere in WA, My Aged Care is the starting point.
What happens during the assessment?
Assessments usually take place at your home or current residence. Other arrangements, including phone or telehealth assessments, may be available depending on the situation. My Aged Care assessment guidance
You can choose to have a family member, friend or carer present and request an interpreter. Preparing for your assessment
The assessor brings together information about your circumstances and works with you on a support plan. This records the findings and recommendations from the assessment. Government guidance on needs assessments
Take your time when answering. If a question is unclear, ask the assessor to explain it another way.
If you are attending with a parent, give them space to respond. You can help clarify details without taking over the discussion.
What happens after your assessment?
You will receive an assessment outcome letter, sometimes called a Notice of Decision. If you are eligible for services, you will also receive a support plan explaining the support available to you.
Your next steps depend on the outcome and the care program involved. My Aged Care provides guidance on receiving your assessment outcome.
Read the outcome before choosing a provider
Set aside time to read the documents carefully, ideally with someone you trust if that would help.
Check that you understand what has been approved, who you need to contact and what still needs to be arranged. Ask for clarification if the wording is unfamiliar.
Before agreeing to services, ask providers about availability, start dates and costs. This helps you plan around what can actually be arranged.
Compare care that suits your circumstances
When considering help at home, think about the times support is needed and whether a provider can reliably cover them. We offer help comparing home care options so you can explore services suited to your situation.
If you are considering an aged care home, location is only one part of the decision. Ask how the home would support your daily routine, preferences, financial situation and changing needs. Our residential aged care placement support can help you compare suitable options.
Raise concerns about the outcome
If you disagree with the decision, contact the assessment organisation to discuss your concerns. You can request an internal review, and time limits apply, so read the instructions in your outcome letter promptly.
The official assessment outcome guide explains how to request a review.
What if you need support urgently in WA?
A sudden change can make waiting difficult. Your usual carer may become unwell, or you may need more help following a hospital admission.
For urgent ongoing aged care needs, call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 and explain what has changed. For emergency respite, contact Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737. For a medical emergency, call 000. Official urgent support guidance
If a hospital discharge is approaching, speak with the treating team or hospital social worker about what support will be available afterwards. Be clear about any tasks you or your family cannot safely manage.
For help exploring temporary placements, we provide respite care support in Perth. Suitable arrangements depend on the person’s needs and provider availability.
Frequently asked questions
Is an ACAT assessment free?
Yes. An aged care assessment arranged through My Aged Care is free. You do not need to engage a private consultant to apply.
Any privately arranged consultancy service is separate from the government assessment. My Aged Care assessment information
Do I need a GP referral to apply?
You can apply directly through My Aged Care without first obtaining a GP referral. Your doctor can still be helpful when discussing health concerns or providing relevant information.
See the available routes in the official application guide.
Can I help my parent apply for an assessment?
Yes, with their permission. You can help them complete the application or join the phone call.
Where possible, work through the questions together so their wishes are reflected. My Aged Care also explains options for getting support with an application.
There is also an option to have a Registered Supporter, this is a nominated person who can:
- communicate your wishes with My Aged Care, assessors, aged care providers, and other organisations
- support you to make decisions, including about aged care assessments, referrals for aged care services, and everyday decisions about your aged care
- request, access and receive information about you. This may include updating personal information held by My Aged Care.
How long will I wait for an assessment?
Waiting times vary according to urgency, assessment type and local workforce capacity. Initial contact, the assessment appointment and the start of services are separate stages.
If your needs change while waiting, contact My Aged Care. Check its current assessment waiting-time information rather than relying on another person’s experience.
Is an aged care assessment a financial assessment?
An aged care needs assessment identifies the support you require. Income and assets assessments serve a different purpose: helping determine contributions towards care and accommodation.
Our guide to how government aged care funding works explains the broader funding picture.
Get help with your next steps
Understanding an assessment is one part of finding care that feels right for you or your loved one. Comparing providers and making practical arrangements can still take time and careful thought.
At Care Match Solutions, we offer clear and honest information you can trust. Grace Conboy is a Registered Nurse with more than 15 years of aged care experience, supporting families to understand their options and find suitable care.
We take time to understand your circumstances, preferences and concerns, then help you work through the next steps.
Contact Care Match Solutions or call 0427 092 750 for tailored and compassionate support.
Information checked: 7 September 2026. Assessment arrangements can change; confirm current requirements with My Aged Care.
