How do I apply for aged care services?

In Plain English

To get access to government-funded aged care services in Australia, you need to apply for an aged care needs assessment. Here's a simplified breakdown:

1. Who can apply? Generally, you need to be 65 or older (50 or older for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people, or those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness).
2. How to apply: You, or someone on your behalf (like a family member, doctor, or aged care worker), can apply to the System Governor for an aged care needs assessment.
3. What happens next? The System Governor will decide if you're eligible for an assessment. They'll look at your age and information about your care needs.
4. The assessment: If you're eligible, an approved needs assessor will assess your care needs using a special tool. They'll talk to you about the services that might help you stay independent.
5. What if you're not eligible? You'll get a notice explaining why, and how to ask for the decision to be reconsidered.

Detailed Explanation

To access funded aged care services, an individual must undergo an aged care needs assessment. The process involves several steps, as outlined in the Aged Care Act 2024 and the Aged Care Rules 2025:

1. Eligibility for Assessment:

   • Age Requirements: As per section 58 of the Aged Care Act 2024, the System Governor must consider that the individual:
     • Is aged 65 or over; or
     • Is an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person and is aged at least 50; or
     • Is homeless, or at risk of homelessness, and is aged at least 50.
   • Information on Care Needs: Section 58 of the Aged Care Act 2024 requires that information relating to the individual’s care needs is provided. Section 58-5 of the Aged Care Rules 2025 prescribes the kinds of information required:
     • A declaration by the individual that they have care needs.
     • A written statement by a person in a class referred to in section 56-5 of the Aged Care Rules 2025 that sets out the individual’s care needs.
     • Written medical records of the individual’s care needs.
   • Application on Behalf of Individuals: Section 56-5 of the Aged Care Rules 2025 prescribes the classes of persons who may apply on behalf of individuals:
     • Supporters of the individual
     • Registered health practitioners
     • Allied health professionals
     • Aged care workers of registered providers
     • Registered providers
     • Social workers
     • Individuals employed or engaged as care finders or elder care supporters under programs funded by the Department
     • Family members, friends, advocates and carers of the individual
     • Independent aged care advocates

2. Application and Determination:

   • An individual, or a person on their behalf, applies to the System Governor for access to funded aged care services under subsection 56(1) of the Aged Care Act 2024.
   • The System Governor then decides whether to make an eligibility determination for an aged care needs assessment under subsection 57(1) of the Aged Care Act 2024.
   • The period for making a decision on an application for access to funded aged care services is 28 days after receiving the application, as per section 57-5 of the Aged Care Rules 2025.

3. Aged Care Needs Assessment:

   • If an eligibility determination is made, the System Governor arranges for an assessment of the individual’s need for funded aged care services, as per section 61 of the Aged Care Act 2024.
   • The assessment is undertaken by an approved needs assessor using the Integrated Assessment Tool, as prescribed by section 62-5 of the Aged Care Rules 2025.
   • The assessment includes a discussion with the individual about the funded aged care services they may require and that may assist them to maintain their independence, as per section 62 of the Aged Care Act 2024.

4. Notice of Decision:

   • If the System Governor decides not to make an eligibility determination, they must give notice of the decision to the individual within 14 days, as per section 59 of the Aged Care Act 2024.
   • The notice must include the reasons for the decision, the effect of the decision (that the application for access to funded aged care services is taken to be withdrawn), and how the individual may apply for reconsideration of the decision.