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Practice Tip Sheets for Careworkers Advance Care Planning Advanced Dementia Advanced Dementia Behavioural Changes After Death Choices Aged Care Access and Assessment Anxiety Cachexia Sarcopenia and Anorexia Case Conferences Complementary Therapies Constipation Continuity of Care Culturally Responsive Care Communication Distress at the End of Life Dysphagia Dyspnoea End of Life Care Pathways Eye Care Faecal Incontinence First Australians Communication Frailty Grief and Loss among Older People Families and Residents Grief and Loss among Staff Myths about Morphine Nutrition and Hydration Opioid Analgesics Oral Care Pain Management Palliative Care People with Intellectual Disability Communication People with Specific Needs Person Centred Care Psychosocial Assessment and Support Quality of Life Recognising Deterioration Respiratory Secretions Self Care Signs of Imminent Death Skin and Wound Care Spiritual Care Supporting Families Talking about Dying Talking within the Aged Care Team Next Steps for Careworkers
Tips for Careworkers:
Aged Care Access and Assessment
What it is: The aged care system provides support for older Australians living in their own home or residential aged care. Access to government-funded aged care starts with an assessment of the person’s needs. The older person is asked questions about what they would like help with to keep them as independent as possible, safe, and connected with their community. This is used to recommend the type and level of care that will best meet their needs.
Why it matters: Sometimes care decisions and what care people expect can be a source of worry for the person. It might also result in conflict within the family or with care providers. Understanding how access to aged care works means that you can better support people to receive the care they need. It can also help to manage what they expect of you.
What I need to know: Aged care assessment has a focus on client needs. It also aims to support wellness and reablement where appropriate. The amount of funding provided depends on the level of care approved. This will affect the type and amount of care provided.
After approval and allocation of funds, the aim is to arrange services according to the person’s needs and what is important to them.
My Aged Care is there to answer any questions relating to assessment or eligibility for government-funded services.
An older person or their representative can register with MyAgedCare for an assessment, or they can be referred by a health professional. Assessment can take place at the older person’s home, or in a hospital. There is a process in place for review of the assessment outcome if requested.
If you care for a client who requires more support than their current package allows, they can apply through My Aged Care to be reassessed. Speak with your supervisor if you notice an increased need for care.
Note
If clients or families have any questions about access to aged care, refer them to your supervisor and/or My Aged Care
Anyone with consent can register an older person with My Aged Care for screening. They can also be referred from a hospital, or by a GP or other health professional with patient consent.
Do
Visit the CareSearch ‘For Community’ section for information on access to aged care for older Australians
My reflections:
When should an older person initiate a review of their aged care assessment?
For references and the latest version of all the Tip Sheets visit
Practice Tip sheets for careworkers
CareSearch is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.
Updated April 2026
Page updated 22 July 2026
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