Assessment outcome: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care Program
The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care (NATSIFAC) Program provides culturally safe aged care to older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people close to home and community.
If you are approved for the program, the assessment organisation will send you an assessment outcome letter (sometimes called a ‘Notice of Decision’).
The letter 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 haven’t received your assessment outcome letter, find out what to do while you wait.
On this page
What if I need urgent care?
If you have an urgent need for services, you can contact a NATSIFAC provider directly. They may be able to conduct an initial assessment so you can start receiving services immediately. This is called an alternate entry pathway.
If you access services this way, a needs assessment is still needed. Your NATSIFAC provider will need to register you through My Aged Care for an assessment within 30 days of services starting. Your assessment doesn’t have to happen within that time.
What to do next
If you’re eligible for the program, the next step is to connect with suitable aged care providers who can deliver the services you need. Usually, your assessor or referrer will help you with this.
There are 2 ways to do this:
- Your assessor refers you
With your consent, your assessor will have sent a referral to the relevant provider(s). The referral lets providers know you’re a new client wanting a service and prompts them to contact you. - You refer yourself
If your assessor hasn’t referred you, you need to search for providers yourself. Your assessor will have given you a referral code for each service you’re eligible for and you can contact a NATSIFAC provider directly. You can also get help finding a provider through The Elder Care Support program.
What is a referral code and why do I need it?
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.
What should I do if I’m not eligible?
If you aren’t eligible for the program, you will have received an assessment outcome letter from your assessor telling you why.
You can find out what other options are available on the Receiving an assessment outcome page.
The Elder Care Support program can help older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to access aged care services. It can:
- help you understand aged care services, navigate the assessment process and choose a provider
- help families, friends and carers understand how to access aged care services
- advocate for you by working with assessors and providers to meet your needs
- support you while you receive aged care services
- assist with other health needs, such as disability support.