If you’ve started looking into government-funded support for yourself or a parent, you’ve probably been told the same thing by everyone: the first step is an aged care assessment. It sounds official and a little daunting, and most families aren’t sure what it actually involves, how long it takes, or what happens afterwards. The good news is that it’s far less formal than the name suggests. An assessment is a friendly conversation, not a test, and there’s nothing you can fail.

This guide walks you through the whole process in plain English: what an aged care assessment is, how the old ACAT and RAS arrangements work now, what to expect on the day, and how to prepare so you get the right level of support. We’ve kept the jargon to a minimum and focused on the bits you actually need to know.

First, what’s changed: ACAT, RAS and the Single Assessment System

For decades, two different teams handled aged care assessments. The Regional Assessment Service (RAS) looked at people with lower-level needs who wanted entry-level help at home, while the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT, or ACAS in Victoria) handled more complex needs such as a full home care package, residential care or respite. Many families found it confusing to work out which one applied to them.

That changed on 9 December 2024, when the Australian Government brought these teams together under a new Single Assessment System. One national workforce now carries out every aged care assessment, so you no longer have to figure out which team to contact. You’ll still hear people say “ACAT” and “RAS” out of habit, and that’s fine, but behind the scenes it’s now a single, streamlined pathway. The assessment you need is matched to your situation rather than to a particular team.

The two types of aged care assessment

Under the new system there are still two levels of assessment, and the one you have depends on how much help you need:

  • A home support assessment is for people who are largely independent but need a bit of entry-level help, such as cleaning, meals or transport through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme. This is the kind of check the RAS used to do.
  • A comprehensive assessment is for people with more involved or ongoing needs, and it’s the gateway to Support at Home funding, residential aged care, respite and transition care. This is what most people picture when they think of an “ACAT assessment.”

You don’t have to choose between them yourself. When you first make contact, a short triage step works out which assessment fits your circumstances, then refers you to the right assessor. If your needs are significant or you’re hoping to access a funded package at home, you’ll generally be heading toward a comprehensive assessment.

Step 1: Register with My Aged Care

Every aged care journey starts in the same place: My Aged Care, the government’s central front door for aged care. You can apply online or call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422. A health professional, such as your GP, can also make a referral on your behalf.

The registration call takes around 15 to 20 minutes. You’ll be asked some questions about your current situation and the help you’re finding difficult, and you’ll need your Medicare card handy. Based on your answers, you’ll be referred for the appropriate assessment. It helps to be honest about the harder days rather than the good ones, because the support you’re offered is built around the picture you give.

Step 2: The triage call and referral

Once your referral goes through, an assessment organisation will be in touch to confirm your needs and arrange a time. A short triage conversation usually happens within about two weeks, and this is where the type of assessment is confirmed and your visit is booked.

Wait times vary by region and demand. To give you a realistic sense of the current picture, My Aged Care reported that 133,359 aged care needs assessments were completed between January and March 2026, with a national median wait of 25 days from referral to assessment. Some people wait less, some wait longer, and situations such as hospital discharge or a carer suddenly being unable to cope are usually prioritised.

Step 3: Your assessment visit

Assessments are almost always done in person, usually in your own home, so you don’t need to travel anywhere. Sometimes they take place in hospital or by phone or video if that suits your situation better. Most visits run for somewhere between 45 minutes and two hours, depending on how complex your needs are.

The assessor already has the information you gave My Aged Care, so the visit is really a conversation to fill in the detail. They’ll ask about things like how you manage day-to-day tasks, your health and mobility, your safety at home, the support you already have, and what matters to you, including your hobbies and the things you’d like to keep doing. There are no forms for you to fill in and no right or wrong answers.

A few things worth knowing before the day:

  • It’s completely free. The assessment is funded by the government, and you won’t be charged for it.
  • You can have someone with you. A family member, friend, carer or registered supporter is welcome to sit in, and many people find that reassuring.
  • You can ask for an interpreter. If English isn’t your first language, you can request a free interpreter at any point, so you can speak about your needs in the language you’re most comfortable in.

Step 4: Your support plan and outcome

During the visit you and the assessor will put together a support plan. This sets out the services that would best help you stay independent and well at home, and it may include goals to help you rebuild confidence or regain skills after an illness or hospital stay.

A few weeks after the assessment, you’ll receive an outcome letter confirming what you’ve been approved for. If you’ve been approved for ongoing support at home, you may then go on a national waiting list until your funding becomes available. While you wait, it’s well worth understanding what your funding will eventually cover. Our guide to the Support at Home program walks through how the new system works, and our My Aged Care cost calculator gives you a quick, no-pressure sense of likely costs.

How to prepare for your aged care assessment

A little preparation goes a long way and helps make sure nothing important gets missed. Before your visit, it helps to:

  • Jot down a typical day: note the tasks you find hard, where you’ve had falls or close calls, and anything you’ve stopped doing because it became too difficult.
  • Have your details ready: your Medicare card, any current support arrangements, and a list of your medications or relevant health conditions.
  • Think about your goals: being clear about what you want to keep doing, whether that’s staying in your own home, cooking for yourself or getting out to see friends, helps shape the right plan.
  • Write down your questions: the visit is your chance to ask about services, funding and what happens next, including whether providers in your area speak your language.

The most common mistake families make is downplaying how much help is needed because they don’t want to seem like they’re complaining. Describe things as they are on a difficult day, not a good one. If you’d like more detail on getting ready, our article on how to get ready for Support at Home covers eligibility and the next steps for families.

Frequently asked questions

How long does an aged care assessment take?

The visit itself usually takes between 45 minutes and two hours, depending on how complex your needs are. Allow a little longer if an interpreter or carer is involved, or if you have several health conditions to talk through.

Is the assessment still called an ACAT assessment?

Many people still use the term, and assessors will understand exactly what you mean. Since December 2024 the formal structure is the Single Assessment System, and the in-depth check that used to be called ACAT is now known as a comprehensive assessment. The purpose hasn’t changed, only the name and the team behind it.

Does an aged care assessment cost anything?

No. The assessment is funded by the Australian Government and is free, regardless of which type you have. You may later contribute toward the cost of the services you receive, but never toward the assessment itself.

Can my family be with me during the assessment?

Yes. You’re welcome to have a family member, friend, carer or registered supporter present, and it’s a good idea if you tend to feel overwhelmed by questions. You can also request a free interpreter if you’d prefer to speak in another language.

What happens if my needs change after my assessment?

You can contact My Aged Care for a review or a reassessment if your situation changes. One of the aims of the new system is to make this smoother, so you’re less likely to be passed between different teams than in the past.

Getting the right support, in your language

An aged care assessment is simply the first step toward getting the help you’re entitled to, and it’s nothing to be nervous about. The part that makes the real difference comes next: choosing a provider who explains your options clearly and genuinely understands your background. As a not-for-profit provider born out of the Gold Coast community, Cura supports older Australians across the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Moreton region and Tweed Coast, with a team that speaks more than 65 languages.

If you’ve had your assessment, or you’re not sure where to start, we’re happy to help you make sense of it. You can read more about accessing aged care or get in touch with our team for a friendly, no-obligation chat about your options.

For the official details, you can also read the Australian Government’s information on the Single Assessment System and how to prepare for your assessment through My Aged Care.