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Aged Care Funding Instrument

ACFI Application for Classification

Application form and instructions for ACFI claim for appraisal

You may download this document in PDF format:

PDF printable version of Application for Classification Form - Introduction (PDF 26 KB)

PDF printable version of ACFI Application For Classification Form (PDF 82 KB)

Aged Care Funding Instrument – Application for Classification Form

About the Application for Classification Form

The Application for Classification is used to submit the results of an appraisal using the Aged Care Funding Instrument to Medicare Australia. This information is used to determine rates of subsidy and also forms part of a minimum data set.

The Aged Care Funding Instrument is designed purely as a means by which resources can be provided fairly and according to assessed need, on a uniform national basis. The questions were chosen after national trials because they were found to best discriminate between residents’ care requirements. For this reason, they do not request information about all aspects of a resident’s care costs.

Where there is an inconsistency between the checklist and the rating data on this form, the checklist data will be used to determine the rating.

Respite Care

Respite residents will not be funded using this classification form. An Application for Classification form should not be completed for these residents.

How can I submit an Application for Classification

You are able to submit an Application for Classification electronically or in hard copy. The application should be prepared in accordance with the Department’s Residential Care Manual.
Top of pageElectronic methods of submission include:

• Medicare Australia’s ACFI web form. This requires internet access (preferably broadband).
• Medicare Australia’s Online Claiming Business to Business (B2B) and file upload channel. This requires software developed by a registered software vendor.

Some of the benefits of electronic submission include:

• You are able to submit the ACFI assessment immediately.
• There are no funding delays - ACFI funding starts from the date the form is submitted and received online by Medicare Australia.
• Faster feedback from Medicare Australia.
• Reduced paperwork for those that use the B2B channel.
• Improved accuracy of data and payments due to less handling errors.

More information can be found at http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/aged

Paper based methods of submission

Paper based ACFI assessments can be sent to Medicare Australia staff.

To help us process the form quickly, please ensure that:

• all questions are answered clearly;
• form is signed and dated; and
• you use a pen, not a pencil, and press firmly.

Unanswered questions, missing signature or missing date will result in the return of the form for completion which may delay the payment of subsidy.

If you need any help with the form, please contact your nearest Medicare Australia on 1800 195 206.

When completed, send the form to the Aged Care, Medicare Australia in the capital city of your State. Addresses and telephone numbers are shown below.
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Important Note

The Aged Care Act 1997 provides penalties for the provision of false or misleading information on the Application for Classification form.

The information provided may also be used by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing and/or Medicare Australia to check that the funding provided in response to this application is being, or has been, used in accordance with:

• the requirements of the Aged Care Act 1997, and
• any further requirements determined by the Minister, or the Secretary of the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing or the Chief Executive Officer of Medicare Australia.

State Address and Telephone Numbers of Aged Care, Medicare Australia**

NSW and ACT

GPO Box 9923
Sydney NSW 2001
Telephone: 1800 195 206

VIC and TAS

GPO Box 9923
Melbourne VIC 3001
Telephone: 1800 195 206

SA and NT

GPO Box 9923
Adelaide SA 5001
Telephone: 1800 195 206

QLD

GPO Box 9923
Brisbane QLD 4001
Telephone: 1800 195 206

WA

GPO Box 9923
Perth WA 6001
Telephone: 1800 195 206

Top of page** Providing aged care payments to service providers on behalf of the Department of Health and Ageing