How to prepare for your aged care assessment — describe a difficult day, not your best day

The free My Aged Care assessment decides your classification — and your classification decides your budget, from about $2,750 to over $20,000 per quarter. One conversation shapes years of support. Here's how to give the assessor the truthful, complete picture.

The golden rule: a hard day, not your best day

Most of us are raised to say "I'm fine." In an aged care assessment, that instinct works against you. Assessors can only fund the needs you describe — so describe what happens on a difficult day. If some mornings you can't manage the shower safely, say so, even if yesterday was fine. This isn't exaggerating; it's being accurate about the days that matter.

Before the visit, write down

• Recent falls or near-falls — dates and what happened, even the ones you didn't report.
• Hospital stays and new diagnoses — and how things changed afterwards.
• What you can no longer do safely — showering, dressing, cooking, cleaning, shopping, stairs, driving.
• Medication — anything you forget, double-up on, or find hard to manage.
• Memory changes — missed appointments, burnt pots, getting disoriented.
• Family help that's reducing — if a daughter or neighbour has been filling the gap, say what happens when they can't.

Gather the paperwork that strengthens your case

Your Medicare card is required. Beyond that, useful documents include a GP health summary or care plan, specialist letters, hospital discharge summaries, falls history, and any physiotherapy or memory assessments. The most powerful reports explain the condition, how it affects daily life, what you cannot do safely, and what help is needed.

On the day

The assessment usually happens in your own home and takes about an hour. A family member, friend or carer can — and should — sit in; they often remember the hard days you gloss over. You can request an interpreter at no cost. Together with the assessor you'll build a support plan, so it's fine to say exactly what kind of help you want.

After the decision

You'll receive a Notice of Decision showing your program, classification and approved services — and how to request a review if you disagree. Since July 2026, a human decision-maker has the final say over assessment outcomes, so reviews are genuinely worth pursuing when a classification doesn't match reality. Once funding is released, My Aged Care will confirm the timeframe you have to choose your provider.

You don't have to do any of this alone

We help families prepare for assessments every week — before they even register, at no cost. We'll help you describe your needs, organise documents, and understand the approval letter when it comes. Call 1300 845 766.

Sources

• My Aged Care — Apply for an assessment
• My Aged Care — In-home aged care
• Ageing Australia — Human oversight of the Integrated Assessment Tool

This article is general information only, current at August 2026, and not clinical or financial advice — see our Clinical Disclaimer. Figures and rules are confirmed at your assessment.