What happens after assessment

Home support assessment with a Regional Assessment Service (RAS)

If you’re being assessed for the Commonwealth Home Support Programme, you will find out if you are eligible at your assessment. 

Read more about the assessment decision for the Commonwealth Home Support Programme.

Comprehensive assessment with Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT)

If you’re being assessed for a Home Care Package, a short-term care option, and/or subsidised aged care homes, your assessor will take some time to review the information and make a decision. You will find out by letter. 

Read more about the assessment decisions for:

• Home Care Packages
• Short-term restorative care
• Residential respite care
• Transition care
• Aged care homes

What if I have concerns about the assessment process?

If you have concerns about your assessment, you should talk to your assessor or their organisation in the first instance. They may be able to help.

All assessment organisations have their own complaints procedures in place to work with you to address your concerns. If you do not know the organisation’s details, you can call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 to find out.

If you cannot resolve the issue with your assessor or their organisation, you can call My Aged Care to talk through your complaint.

Read more about making a complaint.

You disagree with your assessment decision

If you have had an assessment and disagree with the assessment decision, you can’t ask for a reassessment, but you do have other options.

Comprehensive assessment

If you have had a comprehensive assessment and disagree with the assessment decision, you can take the following steps:

1. Contact your ACAT assessor in the first instance
   Your assessor’s organisation will have their own process to resolve your complaint. Discuss any issues you have about the assessment decision with them.
    
2. Request a review of your assessment decision
   If you still have concerns after talking to your assessor, you can request a review of the decision by writing to the Secretary of the Australian Government Department of Health. In the letter you should outline why you think the decision should be changed.

   The Secretary
   Department of Health
   Attn: Aged Care Assessment Program Reconsiderations
   GPO Box 9848
   ADELAIDE SA 5001

   You must write to the Secretary within 28 days of receiving your assessment decision letter. You should receive a decision on your request within 90 days. There is no charge for this.

   If you don’t agree with the Secretary’s review, you can go to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, but there will be a charge. Find out more on the Administrative Appeals Tribunal website.

Home support assessment

If you have had a home support assessment and disagree with the assessment decision, you can't ask for a reassessment or a review, but you can take the following steps:  

1. Contact your RAS assessor in the first instance
   Your assessor’s organisation will have their own process to resolve your complaint. Discuss any issues you have about the assessment decision with them.

2. Call My Aged Care
   If you cannot resolve the issue with your RAS assessor or their organisation, you can call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422.