Skip to main content
For information on scheduled website maintenance and other important news, see News and Updates.
My Aged Care Home My Aged Care
  • Home
  • Types of care
    • Where to start?
    • Learn about types of care
    • Am I eligible?
    • Help at home
    • Short-term care
    • Aged care homes
  • Assessment
    • The assessment process
    • How to apply for assessment
    • Prepare for your assessment
    • After your assessment
    • When to get re-assessed
    • Apply for assessment online
  • Find a provider
    • Search for a provider
    • Compare providers
    • What to consider
    • Understanding costs
    • Setting up services
  • Manage my services
    • How to make changes
    • Arranging someone to support you
    • Access your Online Account
  • Contact us
    • How to contact us
    • Accessible services
    • About My Aged Care
    • Complaints process
  • News
    • News and updates
    • Improving Australia's aged care system
Languages
Popular pages
Home Care Packages Access your Online Account Arranging someone to support you Aged care home costs and fees Respite care
Tools to support you
Find a provider
How much will I pay?
Make a referral
Start typing what you're looking for and select 'Enter' to see your search results or choose from the 'Suggestions' list that appears. If you're not sure what to search for, you can browse our popular pages and tools.

Assessment outcome: Transition care

Facebook X (Twitter) Email Copy

After your assessment, your assessor will contact you on your eligibility while you are still admitted to hospital. It’s important to know that being approved for transition care does not guarantee a place in the program.

You will also receive a letter which will contain:

  • the assessment team’s decision on whether you are eligible
  • the services you are eligible to receive
  • the reasons and evidence supporting the decision
  • a copy of your support plan developed during your assessment
  • referral codes for services if you discussed this referral method with your assessor.

If you don’t receive a letter explaining your assessment decision, contact your assessor and ask for a copy.

I’m eligible - what’s next?

Once you receive your approval letter, the next step is to find a suitable aged care provider.

There are two ways to do this:

  1. Your assessor can make a referral for you
    They can refer you to services that are both available and appropriate for your needs. Once your assessor has made a referral, they will contact you. With your consent, they will arrange for you to leave hospital and enter the transition care facility.
     
  2. You can refer yourself
    Depending on your location and availability, you may have some choice in providers. If you’d like to refer yourself, you will need the referral code in your approval letter. You can find local providers by using the Find a provider tool or by calling My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 for guidance. See more information about referral codes below.

    At times, there may not be an immediate vacancy, but places can become available at short notice.

What is a referral code and why do I need it?

Your assessor may arrange your referral with the transition care provider or issue you with a referral code. A referral code is your unique reference number for receiving services. You give the referral code to your chosen provider. If you lose your code, you can log in to your My Aged Care Online Account to see it. With the code, a provider can view your client record, accept the referral, and start organising services for you.

When will I start receiving services?

Once you find a provider that offers the services you need, you will move into care after being discharged from hospital.

When you need to begin care depends on your living arrangements:

  • If you receive care in an aged care home, you must begin transition care within 24 hours of discharge.
  • If your care is to be delivered in your home, you have 48 hours from your date of discharge to enter care.

Can I delay my transition care services?

You should only delay starting your care if:

  • your health service provider is confident of your safe discharge, and
  • you have adequate support in place while you wait for your care to begin.

Remember, there may not be an immediate vacancy, and your approval is valid for 28 days. If you are still in hospital and waiting for a place to become available after 28 days, you will need to be reassessed.

Do I have to accept the provider, or the services offered?

No. Contacting or being referred to a provider doesn’t mean you have to agree to their services. You can talk with them, ask questions, and make sure you’re comfortable first. Once you’re ready, you can agree to their services. Assessors are encouraged to work closely with providers to support a smooth referral process and find successful matches.

Keep track of what you need to do

The My guide to aged care tool will help create a ‘next steps’ checklist tailored for you.

I’m not eligible – what now?

If you aren’t eligible for transition care, you will receive a letter from your assessor that will tell you why.

There are other options available.

  • You may be eligible for other government-funded aged care services. If you are, your letter will include a support plan outlining this information.
  • If you’re not eligible for other services, you may want to look at aged care providers that aren't government-funded.
  • If you are under 65 years old, you may want to explore your eligibility with the National Disability and Insurance Scheme (NDIS). You can do this through an NDIS Access Request. Call NDIS on 1800 800 110 (toll-free) for more information.

If you have any questions about the assessment process, including the assessment team’s decision, there are actions you can take:

  • Discuss your concerns with your assessor. This is usually the best way to resolve any issues. You can have a friend or relative help with this if you wish.
  • Request a review of the decision, free of charge. Information about how to do this will be included in your letter. You can also find out more information on the Contact us page.
In this section
What happens after assessment
Assessment outcome: Home Care Package
Assessment outcome: Residential respite care
Assessment outcome: Short-term restorative care
Assessment outcome: Aged care home
Assessment outcome: Commonwealth Home Support Programme
Helpful tools
Find a provider
Back to top

Further information

  • For health professionals
  • For service providers
  • For carers
  • Support and advocacy
  • Non government-funded providers
  • Quality
  • Aged care reforms
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • News and updates
  • Resources

Tools

  • Apply for assessment
  • Income and means assessments
  • Eligibility checker
  • Fee estimator
  • Non-compliance checker
  • Make a referral
  • Find a provider
  • Help explorer
  • My guide to aged care

Contact us

1800 200 422 (Freecall)

Mon - Fri 8am - 8pm

Saturday 10am - 2pm

More contact options

Accessible for all

Complaints

About us

Footer site info links

  • Terms of use
  • Privacy
  • Glossary
  • Sitemap
© Commonwealth of Australia.
Site Version: 85aa0ffb-master