Am I eligible?
If you are just starting out on your aged care journey, it's likely you'll have lots of questions.
This page helps you answer one of the most common questions: “Am I eligible for government-subsidised aged care services?”
You may be eligible if you have:
- noticed a change in what you can do or remember
- been diagnosed with a medical condition or reduced mobility
- experienced a change in family care arrangements, or
- experienced a recent fall or hospital admission.
To find out if you are eligible, the first step is to check if you meet the requirements for an assessment. You can click the button below to do that.
Find out if you are eligible
Who qualifies for assessment?
To qualify for assessment, you must meet some needs and age requirements. These check:
- how much assistance you need with some everyday tasks
- that you are 65 years or older (50 years or older for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people).
Note: If you are on a low income and homeless or at risk of being homeless, and aged 50 years or older (45 years or older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people), please call the My Aged Care contact centre on 1800 200 422 to discuss your situation.
Do I meet the requirements?
You can quickly find out if you meet the requirements for an assessment by using our eligibility checker.
This lets you check if you meet the requirements before committing to applying for an assessment. You don’t need to provide any personal information, and we don’t store any of your answers.
Alternatively, if you are ready to get assessed, you can apply online for an assessment straight away.
How do I apply for an assessment?
If you meet the requirements, you can apply for an assessment online.
A trained assessor will then visit you at home to carry out an assessment. They will talk to you about your circumstances and needs and work with you to identify what services might suit you best.
Ready to check if you meet the requirements for an assessment? Press Check now.
Customer testimony
Applying for an assessment
quote from Terry, 83, Perth
Knowing government websites, it could have been difficult, but I found the process very very simple and straightforward. The application is in two parts, and the first part told you what you need in the second part. It wasn’t at all confusing because each page was very simple.
Even if you're not familiar with online applications, it shouldn’t be difficult. Just try it, it’s a piece of cake.
Terry, 83, Perth
What if I’m not eligible?
If you find that you are not eligible and want more information, you can call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 to discuss your situation.
You may also want to consider looking at providers who are not government-funded.
