Aged Care Assessment in Australia: The Complete 2026 Guide (ACAT + IAT Explained)
An aged care assessment is the required first step before any older Australian can access government-funded aged care services. Whether your family is looking at home care support, a residential aged care home, respite care, or specialist services, the assessment comes first. It determines eligibility, identifies what level of support is appropriate, and sets the foundation for everything that follows.
For families going through this for the first time, it can feel like an unfamiliar process with unclear expectations. This guide cuts through that uncertainty — explaining exactly what an aged care assessment involves in 2026, what the new Integrated Assessment Tool (IAT) means for you, how to prepare thoroughly, how long the process takes, and what your options are if you disagree with the outcome.
📋 Aged Care Assessment — Key Facts at a Glance
- What it is: A free, structured evaluation of an older person’s care needs — the mandatory first step to access any government-subsidised aged care
- Who conducts it: Trained assessors from the Single Assessment System using the Integrated Assessment Tool (IAT)
- How to start: Call My Aged Care 1800 200 422 or visit myagedcare.gov.au
- Cost: Always free — for everyone
- How long: Assessment appointment is 45–75 minutes; referral to outcome typically 2–4 weeks
- What it unlocks: Support at Home, residential aged care, respite care, CHSP services
- Big change in 2024: The old ACAT process has been replaced by the Single Assessment System using the new IAT — a standardised national tool used for all assessments from 1 July 2024
What Is an Aged Care Assessment?
An aged care assessment is a structured, holistic evaluation of an older person’s support needs, conducted by government-accredited assessors. It looks beyond medical diagnoses to understand the full picture of how a person is managing — physically, cognitively, emotionally, and socially — and what kinds of support would genuinely improve their safety, independence, and quality of life.
The assessment is not a test. It is a conversation, designed to listen to the older person and their family, understand their goals and preferences, and recommend appropriate government-subsidised services. The outcome is an eligibility approval for specific services — and a support plan that outlines the assessor’s recommendations.
One important distinction families often miss: the aged care assessment determines eligibility for services — it does not determine how much you will pay. Cost contributions are assessed separately by Services Australia through a means assessment based on income and assets. These are two entirely separate processes. For information on costs, read our guide to the means tested care fee for aged care or visit our financial information page.
What Changed in 2024–2025: The New Assessment System Explained
If you have been through an aged care assessment before, or if you have been reading older guides online, be aware: the process has changed significantly. Two major reforms have reshaped how aged care assessments work in Australia — and most families do not know about either of them.
1. The Integrated Assessment Tool (IAT) — Replaced the Old ACAT Form From July 2024
The Integrated Assessment Tool replaced the old National Screening and Assessment Form (NSAF) on 1 July 2024. All My Aged Care contact centre staff and assessors across Australia now use the IAT as the standardised national tool for every aged care needs assessment — for home support, comprehensive assessments, and residential care eligibility.
The IAT covers 12 sections and directly integrates 11 clinically validated tools into the assessment process — tools that were previously only supplementary. It uses adaptive, nested questioning: the questions adjust based on earlier answers, diving deeper only where the person’s responses indicate a need for closer examination. This is designed to make assessments more proportionate and less repetitive than before.
📋 What the IAT Covers — 12 Assessment Sections
2. The Single Assessment System — Unified Workforce From December 2024
From 9 December 2024, the Single Assessment System brought together three previously separate assessment workforces into one unified national workforce. Before this change, there were distinct assessment teams for different care types — the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT), the Regional Assessment Service (RAS), and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care Program assessors. These now operate as one integrated workforce.
What this means in practice: you no longer need to work out which assessment team applies to your situation. My Aged Care directs your referral to the appropriate assessor based on your needs. A Triage Delegate will contact you within two weeks of your referral being received to determine what type of assessment you need before assigning an assessor. States and territory governments continue to handle hospital-based assessments.
⚠️ Important — The IAT Controversy (February 2026): The IAT has faced significant criticism. In February 2026, The Guardian Australia reported that advocacy services received 50% more calls after the IAT was introduced — approximately 7,500 requests in one quarter versus 5,000 previously. Aged care workers and clinicians described the algorithm as limiting their ability to exercise professional judgment. Senator Anne Ruston and other advocates have raised concerns about accuracy. The government has acknowledged the concerns and stated it is “actively monitoring” and will refine the system. If you believe your assessment does not reflect your actual needs, you have the legal right to request a review. See the “How to Appeal” section below.
Who Needs an Aged Care Assessment?
Anyone seeking access to government-funded aged care services in Australia needs an aged care assessment first. There is no way around this requirement — it applies regardless of how obvious the care needs might seem to family members, how urgently care is needed, or how willing the older person is to accept support.
✅ General Eligibility
Aged 65 or over, Australian citizen or permanent resident, with needs for help with daily living or health care
✅ First Nations Australians
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians eligible from age 50. Culturally safe assessment organisations rolling out from August 2025
✅ Younger People
Those under 65 with certain age-related conditions or dementia may be eligible if their needs cannot be better met through the NDIS
You need an aged care assessment to access: Support at Home (all 8 classification levels), residential aged care (permanent or respite), the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) in most cases, and transition care. Financial hardship, urgency, or carer breakdown can all be flagged to prioritise the assessment process. Visit our aged care eligibility page for more details on who qualifies.
Types of Aged Care Assessment in Australia
Under the Single Assessment System, there are two main types of assessment conducted using the IAT, plus a triage step that happens before either assessment is conducted.
🔍 Triage
A short process conducted by a Triage Delegate within 2 weeks of referral. Determines whether a home support or comprehensive assessment is needed. Not a full assessment — it is a gateway step.
Completed: within 2 weeks of referral
🏠 Home Support Assessment
For people with lower-level needs seeking entry-level CHSP services — domestic assistance, transport, social support, meals. Can be conducted by phone or in person.
Suitable for: CHSP entry-level services
🏥 Comprehensive Assessment
A full, in-depth evaluation for people with higher care needs. Required for Support at Home (all 8 levels), residential aged care, respite care, palliative care, and specialist services. Always conducted in person.
Suitable for: Support at Home, residential care, respite
There is also a reassessment — conducted when a person’s circumstances change significantly. If a loved one has had a fall, a new diagnosis, a hospitalisation, or is experiencing carer burnout, a reassessment can be requested at any time. Read more about carer fatigue in Australia and when to seek additional support.
The Aged Care Assessment Process: Step by Step
Here is exactly what happens from the moment you contact My Aged Care through to receiving your outcome and beginning care — every step explained clearly.
Contact My Aged Care to Register
Call 1800 200 422 (Monday–Friday 8am–8pm AEST, Saturday 10am–2pm) or register online at myagedcare.gov.au. The initial call takes 15–20 minutes. You will be asked about the older person’s current situation — what they can and cannot manage at home, any health conditions, current support in place, and what type of help is being considered. Have a Medicare card ready. Anyone can make this call: the older person themselves, a family member, their GP, or a hospital social worker (with consent).
Triage — Referral Accepted and Categorised
Within two weeks of your referral being accepted, a Triage Delegate contacts you to determine whether a home support assessment or comprehensive assessment is most appropriate. For urgent situations — such as imminent hospital discharge, safety risk at home, or significant carer breakdown — you can request priority processing. Hospital-based referrals are managed directly by state and territory government teams and are often fast-tracked.
Prepare for the Assessment
You will be contacted to schedule the assessment. For comprehensive assessments, this is always conducted in person — usually at home, or in hospital if the person is currently admitted. Use the time between booking and the appointment to gather documents, write down day-to-day challenges, and think about care goals. See our full preparation checklist below.
The Assessment Appointment (45–75 Minutes)
The assessor visits in person and works through the IAT with the older person. You are encouraged to have a family member, trusted friend, or advocate present — they can provide additional context and ensure nothing important is missed. The assessor will observe physical abilities, ask structured questions across the 12 IAT sections, and note the person’s own goals and preferences. You will not be asked to make any decisions during the appointment itself. The assessor is there to understand the situation — not to judge it.
Assessment Review and Outcome
After the assessment, the assessor reviews findings and makes a recommendation. For Support at Home, the IAT generates a classification level (1–8) based on assessed need. For residential care, it confirms eligibility for permanent care or respite. The median time from referral to approval in 2023–24 was 22 days — though urgent cases can be significantly faster, and complex situations may take longer.
Receive Your Approval Letter and Support Plan
You receive a written outcome letter from My Aged Care confirming eligibility and approved care type or Support at Home classification level. A support plan accompanies this, outlining the assessor’s recommendations. Take this letter to every provider or facility you approach — they will need it before they can admit or enrol you. The letter is also accessible through your My Aged Care online account.
Choose a Provider and Begin Care
Once approved, you have 56 days to select an aged care provider. Use the Find a Provider tool on myagedcare.gov.au to search by location, services, and Star Ratings. For residential aged care, read our guide to choosing aged care facilities in Brisbane. A separate financial assessment from Services Australia (1800 227 475) determines your contribution toward costs — do this in parallel, not after.
How Long Does an Aged Care Assessment Take?
This is one of the most frequently asked questions families have — and the answer has two parts: how long the assessment appointment itself takes, and how long the overall process takes from first contact to receiving care.
| Stage | Typical Timeframe | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Initial My Aged Care call | 15–20 minutes | Can be made by anyone with consent |
| Triage contact after referral | Within 2 weeks | Sooner for urgent cases |
| Assessment appointment scheduled | 1–3 weeks after triage | Varies by region and urgency |
| Assessment appointment itself | 45–75 minutes | In person, longer for complex needs |
| Outcome letter received | Within 2 weeks of assessment | Accessible via My Aged Care online account |
| Referral to approval (total median) | 22 days (AIHW 2025) | Increased from 12 days in 2019–20 due to demand |
| Hospital-based urgent assessments | 24–72 hours in many cases | Managed by state government teams |
💡 Do not wait for a crisis. The 22-day median wait time is for the assessment itself — you then need to find a provider, complete a financial assessment with Services Australia, and potentially wait for a Support at Home place. For Support at Home Level 4 equivalents, wait times after approval can exceed 12 months. Starting the assessment process early — before things reach breaking point — is one of the most important practical steps a family can take. Read about carer fatigue and when to act.
How to Prepare for an Aged Care Assessment: A Practical Checklist
Thorough preparation makes a real difference to the outcome of an aged care assessment. Assessors see many people and work through a structured tool — the more clearly and specifically you can describe day-to-day challenges, the more accurately the assessment will reflect actual needs. Here is a complete preparation checklist.
✅ Aged Care Assessment Preparation Checklist
Documents to Gather
- GP letter or referral summarising current health conditions and medical history
- Hospital discharge summaries (recent or current)
- Current medication list — including dosages and prescribing doctor
- Any existing care plans, allied health reports, or specialist letters
- Medicare card and any DVA Gold/White Card (if applicable)
- Any advance care directive or power of attorney documents — see our guide to advance care directives
What to Write Down Before the Assessment
- A list of specific daily tasks the person struggles with or cannot do safely — bathing, dressing, cooking, cleaning, managing medications, getting in and out of bed
- Any recent falls, near-misses, or safety incidents at home
- Details of current informal support — who helps, how often, and what they help with
- Any concerns about the home environment — steps, bathroom access, lighting, heating
- How the person is managing socially — are they isolated? Withdrawn? Missing activities?
- The carer’s own situation — hours of care provided per week, any health issues, fatigue levels
Think Through These Questions Before the Day
- What does the older person most want from care? Staying home? Maintaining independence? Social connection?
- Are there cultural, language, or religious preferences the assessor should know about?
- Is there a specific type of care you are considering — home support, residential care, respite?
- What would need to change for the current situation to be sustainable?
On the Day
- Have a trusted person present — family member, close friend, or advocate
- Do not minimise difficulties to seem more capable than you are — honest, specific description of challenges leads to more accurate assessment
- Describe the worst days and the hardest tasks, not just the average ones
- Ask the assessor to explain any part of the process you are unclear about
- You are not obligated to make any decisions during the assessment — take time to consider the support plan after
💡 The most common mistake families make: Presenting the older person at their best. If your parent manages to dress themselves on good days but struggles most mornings, say so. If they say they are fine but you know they are not eating properly or are falling regularly — the family member present at the assessment should share this clearly. The IAT is designed to capture real need, but only what is communicated can be assessed. Also review our aged care admission documents checklist for what you’ll need when you move forward after the assessment.
What Does an Aged Care Assessor Actually Look At?
Understanding what the assessor is evaluating helps families describe their situation more effectively. The IAT is holistic — it is not limited to medical conditions or physical disabilities. Here is a breakdown of the key areas covered.
Physical Health and Mobility
Diagnosed conditions, medication management, chronic illness, mobility limitations, falls risk, continence, pain levels, nutrition and swallowing
Cognitive Function
Memory, decision-making, orientation, communication, ability to manage finances or daily tasks independently
Emotional and Psychological Wellbeing
Mood, depression or anxiety, grief, adjustment to health changes, sense of purpose, emotional support networks
Activities of Daily Living
Ability to shower, dress, cook, clean, do laundry, manage transport, shop, attend appointments — what is possible, what is difficult, what is unsafe
Social Circumstances
Living situation, family and community connections, social isolation, access to support, cultural and language background
Carer Circumstances
Who is providing informal care, hours of care per week, the carer’s own health and capacity, sustainability of current arrangements, risk of carer breakdown
Home Environment
Safety of the living environment, stairs, bathroom access, trip hazards, suitability of the home for ageing in place
Goals and Preferences
What the older person most values — independence, social connection, remaining at home, closeness to family — and their preferences for how care is delivered
What Happens After an Aged Care Assessment?
Once the assessment is complete, several things happen in sequence. Understanding this sequence helps families avoid delays and manage expectations about timing.
You Receive an Approval Letter and Support Plan
The outcome of the assessment is communicated in writing — an approval letter from My Aged Care confirming eligibility and (for Support at Home) your classification level from 1 to 8. A support plan accompanies this, documenting the assessor’s findings and service recommendations. This support plan is shared with you and, with your consent, with providers you choose to engage.
For Support at Home — You Join the National Queue
Once approved for Support at Home, you are placed in the national allocation queue. Priority is determined by urgency and the date of your approval. Wait times vary significantly by level — lower-level support can be accessed relatively quickly, while higher-level support (equivalent to the old Level 3 and 4 packages) can involve waits of many months. As at December 2025, the Support at Home waiting list had reached over 130,000 people. While waiting, lower-level CHSP services may be available as interim support.
For Residential Aged Care — You Select a Provider
Once approved for residential aged care, you have 56 days to select a provider. Take the approval letter to facilities when visiting. Use Star Ratings on myagedcare.gov.au to compare quality. Consider location relative to family, staffing levels, activities, and the feel of the home on a visit. For guidance on this process, read our guide to choosing aged care facilities in Brisbane. Also explore whether a respite stay first might ease the transition.
Complete a Financial Assessment With Services Australia
Do not wait until after you have selected a provider to do this. Contact Services Australia on 1800 227 475 as soon as the assessment is underway. The financial assessment determines your contribution toward care costs — without it, providers can charge you at the maximum rate. For a full breakdown of how aged care costs are calculated, read our guide to the maximum means tested care fee for aged care.
If You Transition From Hospital — Act Quickly
For families managing a hospital to aged care transition, timelines are compressed. Hospital discharge planners will often initiate the referral, but the family still needs to select a provider and complete financial assessments quickly. Transition care — available for up to 12 weeks post-discharge — can provide a bridge while longer-term arrangements are made.
How to Appeal or Request a Review of Your Assessment Outcome
If you believe the outcome of your aged care assessment does not accurately reflect the older person’s actual needs — whether because the IAT algorithm underestimated needs, important information was not communicated clearly, or circumstances have changed since the assessment — you have the right to request a review. This is particularly important given the documented concerns about the IAT’s accuracy raised by advocates in early 2026.
📋 How to Request a Review of Your Assessment
- Contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 and ask for a review of your assessment outcome. Explain specifically what you believe was missed or underestimated.
- Provide additional documentation — a GP letter, specialist report, or a written account from a family member describing daily challenges in detail can support the review.
- Request an advocate — the Aged Care Advocacy Line (1800 700 600) provides free, independent support for people navigating disputes or appeals. An advocate can attend a reassessment with you.
- Contact the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission on 1800 951 822 if you believe the assessment process was not conducted appropriately or your rights were not respected.
- Request a reassessment — if circumstances have changed since the original assessment (a new diagnosis, a fall, increased carer burden), a formal reassessment can be requested at any time through My Aged Care.
As at April 2026, Services Australia had received 414 formal review requests from people who believed their IAT-generated assessment did not reflect their actual care needs. The government has committed to refining the system — and the review mechanism exists precisely to address these situations. Do not accept an outcome that feels wrong without first requesting a review.
My Aged Care Assessment Process: Common Questions Answered
Families often have very specific questions about how the My Aged Care assessment process works in practice. Here are the most commonly asked questions, answered directly.
What is an aged care assessment in Australia?
An aged care assessment is a free, structured evaluation of an older person’s care needs, conducted by accredited assessors using the Integrated Assessment Tool (IAT). It is the mandatory first step to access any government-subsidised aged care services — including Support at Home, residential aged care, and respite care. The assessment covers physical health, cognition, emotional wellbeing, daily living activities, social circumstances, and carer needs. It determines eligibility for services and recommended support levels, but does not determine financial contributions (which are assessed separately by Services Australia).
What is an ACAT assessment and is it still used?
The ACAT — Aged Care Assessment Team — was the name for the teams that previously conducted comprehensive aged care assessments in Australia. From 9 December 2024, the ACAT workforce was unified into the Single Assessment System alongside the Regional Assessment Service (RAS) and other assessment organisations. The term ACAT is still widely used colloquially, but the formal structure has changed. The assessment itself is now conducted using the Integrated Assessment Tool (IAT) by assessors from the Single Assessment System workforce. The process and purpose remain the same — the structure around it has been consolidated.
How do I arrange my aged care assessment?
Call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 (Monday–Friday 8am–8pm, Saturday 10am–2pm AEST) or register online at myagedcare.gov.au. The call takes 15–20 minutes. Anyone can make the call — the older person, a family member, a GP, or a hospital social worker — with the older person’s consent. You will be asked about current health, daily living challenges, and the type of support being considered. A Triage Delegate will then contact you within two weeks to determine the right type of assessment.
What does an aged care assessment involve?
The assessment is an in-person conversation conducted by a trained assessor using the Integrated Assessment Tool (IAT). It covers 12 domains including physical health, cognition, emotional wellbeing, daily living tasks, home environment, social circumstances, carer capacity, and the older person’s goals and preferences. It takes 45–75 minutes. You can have a family member or advocate present. No decisions need to be made during the appointment. The assessor completes the IAT during the visit and the outcome is issued in writing, typically within two weeks.
What is the ACAT assessment criteria?
There are no specific “pass or fail” criteria for an aged care assessment. Eligibility is based on demonstrated need for care and support — assessed holistically across physical health, cognitive function, emotional wellbeing, daily living capacity, social circumstances, and carer situation. To be eligible, a person must generally be aged 65 or over (50 or over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians), be an Australian citizen or permanent resident, and have assessed needs that government-funded services can address. Financial situation does not affect eligibility — it only affects the contribution you pay toward costs.
What is the aged care package assessment process?
Under the new Support at Home programme, the aged care assessment determines your classification level (1–8) rather than the old Home Care Package Level (1–4). A comprehensive assessment using the IAT is required for all Support at Home classifications. The assessor’s findings and the IAT output determine the classification, which determines your annual funding budget — from approximately $11,000 (Level 1) to $78,106 (Level 8). For more information, read our guide to Home Care Package eligibility and the Support at Home programme.
What is an aged care program evaluation and how is it different?
An aged care program evaluation is different from an aged care needs assessment. A program evaluation is a government or provider review of how well a care programme is performing at a system level. An aged care needs assessment is an individual evaluation for a specific older person to determine their eligibility for services. If you are looking for help accessing aged care for yourself or a loved one, the needs assessment (through My Aged Care) is what you need — not a program evaluation.
What is ACAS assessment in Victoria?
In Victoria, the aged care assessment service is known as ACAS — the Aged Care Assessment Service — rather than ACAT. From December 2024, ACAS has been unified into the national Single Assessment System alongside ACAT and RAS teams from other states. The process, tool (IAT), and outcomes are now consistent across all states including Victoria. The term ACAS may still be used colloquially in Victoria, but the assessment now operates under the same national framework as the rest of Australia.
Once the Assessment Is Done — We’re Here to Help With What Comes Next
The aged care assessment is the beginning of the process, not the end. Once your family has an approval letter in hand, the next decisions — which provider, which facility, whether to try respite first, how accommodation costs work — can feel just as daunting. This is where having a provider you can talk to honestly makes all the difference.
At Superior Care Group, we have been guiding Australian families through this exact transition since 1979. We are family owned and operated — and our team has lived through every iteration of the aged care assessment and access system over more than four decades. We know how the process works, what the approval letter means in practice, and how to make the steps that follow feel manageable rather than overwhelming.
Our two South East Queensland residences — Wellington Park Private Care in Wellington Point on Brisbane’s south-east bayside corridor, and Merrimac Park Private Care on the Gold Coast — both accept residents following ACAT/assessment approval for permanent care and government-subsidised respite. We will walk you through every step from your approval letter to settling in, with complete transparency on fees before any agreement is signed.
Whether you have just started thinking about aged care, are waiting on an assessment outcome, or have an approval letter and are ready to visit a facility — we welcome a conversation at any stage. No pressure. No obligation. Just straightforward guidance from people who have been doing this since before most of today’s aged care legislation was written.
🌿 Wellington Park Private Care
16 Balmoral Street, Wellington Point, Brisbane
(07) 3822 1876
Learn more →For more on the aged care system, read our guides to what is aged care, the Australian aged care reforms, and Home Care Package eligibility. When you are ready to take the next step, we are here.
