When you have found a suitable service provider that can offer you the transition care you need, you will need to formalise the arrangement.
This will take the form of a service agreement.
What’s in the service agreement?
The service agreement is a legal agreement between you and your transition care provider. It sets out the care and services you will be provided with. It includes:
- Care and services – the range of services, particularly therapies, that you need, including how and when they will be delivered
- Dates – a start and end date for care, as well as what happens once care is completed (known as an ‘exit strategy’)
- Costs – a statement of charges, setting out costs and how they are worked out, with reference to your financial circumstances
- Management – how to change or cancel your care, the complaints and feedback process, and the rights and responsibilities for both you and your service provider.
What should I know before I enter into the agreement?
Once you understand and are satisfied with the terms, you can sign your service agreement.
The agreement can be changed but only if agreed to by both you and your provider. If you move between care settings and services within your own state or territory, there is no need to enter into a new agreement.
Can someone help me understand the agreement?
You can have another person such as a family member, friend or carer with you when you develop the agreement.
Read more about how you can register a supporter.
Advocacy
You can also ask for an advocate to represent you or help you develop your agreement with your provider.
An advocate is an impartial person who can help you understand, access and manage your aged care.
An advocate can help by:
- participating in the discussion about your recipient agreement
- talking about any concerns you may have.
They will listen to your situation and provide free, confidential and independent information and support. You can find out more by visiting the Older Persons Advocacy Network website.
Language support
It’s important that you understand what you are signing. If you need a translator or interpreter, you can call TIS National on 131 450. Tell the operator the language you speak and ask the interpreter to call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422.
For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander interpreting services, call my Aged Care on 1800 200 422 and ask for an interpreter.
For a sign language interpreter, contact us through the National Relay Service (NRS) by selecting your preferred channel on the NRS website and then ask the operator to call us on 1800 200 422.