Managing assessments in the My Aged Care assessor portal

Receive an assessment referral

The team leader manages assessment referrals in the assessor portal.

If you’re a team leader, you can accept or reject referrals. You can also assign, unassign and reassign referrals to individual assessors. To find out how, see:

• Managing Referrals for Assessment and Support Plan Reviews (RAS)
• Managing Referrals for Assessment and Support Plan Reviews (ACAT)

If your team leader has assigned a referral to you in the assessor portal, you can view the client’s record. This includes their action plan and preferences for care. To find out how, see:

• Navigating and Updating the Client Record (RAS)
• Navigating and Updating the Client Record (ACAT)

If needed, you can also register a referral yourself in the assessor portal:

• Registering Clients and Facilitating Referrals (RAS)
• Registering and Self-Referring Clients (ACAT)

For more on managing and accepting referrals, read chapters 8.4 to 8.6 of the Assessment Manual.

Schedule the assessment

When you schedule an appointment, use the opportunity to speak to the client or their representative.

Confirm and update the information in their client record. This helps your organisation and the client to prepare for the assessment.

For more on scheduling appointments, read chapter 8.7 of the Assessment Manual.

Conduct the assessment

You must use the National Screening and Assessment Form (NSAF) to conduct the assessment.

You can do this in the assessor portal. If you use a paper copy, you must enter the details into the assessor portal later. Find out what you need to consider and record in the NSAF User Guide.

For guidance on assessments for younger people and home care, read:

• Aged Care Assessment Guidelines for Younger People with Disability
• Guidance on Priority for Home Care Services
• Guidance Framework for Home Care Package Level (ACAT)
• Guidance Framework for Home Care Package Level (ACAT) User Guide
• Guidance for Home Care Package High Priority (ACAT)

For how to complete assessments in the assessor portal, read:

• Accessing and Completing an Assessment (RAS)​​​​
• Accessing and Completing an Assessment (ACAT)

For more on conducting assessments, read chapter 9 of the Assessment Manual.

Create the support plan

To create the support plan:

• follow the NSAF User Guide
• refer to Support Plan Review and New Assessment — Key Principles and Guidance

For how to enter support plans in the assessor portal, read:

• Completing a Support Plan and Support Plan Review (RAS)​​​
• Completing a Support Plan and Support Plan Review (ACAT)

For more on creating support plans, read chapter 9.6 of the Assessment Manual.

Finalise the assessment

After the assessment, quality check the information you have gathered and your recommendations. Make sure they are complete, accurate and consistent. If needed and the client agrees, contact the client’s GP for more information.

For more on finalising assessments, read chapters 10.1 and 10.2 of the Assessment Manual.

Review and approve recommendation (ACAT only)

If you’re an ACAT delegate, you must:

• review and approve the recommendations that ACAT assessors make

• record your reasons for the decision

For how to do this in the assessor portal, see Delegate Processes (ACAT).

For more on delegate responsibilities and the approval process, read part C of the Assessment Manual.

Action the assessment outcome

If a client is eligible and agrees to it, you can issue referrals for:

• the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP)
• residential care
• flexible care

You can only issue referrals for Home Care Packages after a client has been assigned a package. Find out how to issue referrals in the assessor portal:

• Referring for Services (RAS)​​​​​​
• Referring for Services (ACAT)

If needed, provide short-term reablement support (RAS only) and linking support to vulnerable clients.

You must also provide the outcome of the assessment to the client. This can include a:

• delegate decision letter
• support plan
• Application for Care Form
• referral code letter

Follow up with clients if needed to make sure they’re receiving the services they need. Follow-ups are helpful for vulnerable clients who may find the process more difficult.

For more on referrals and follow-ups, read chapters 10.3 to 10.5 of the Assessment Manual.

Review the support plan

When you conduct an assessment, you can set a review date for the support plan. Clients and aged care service providers can also request a review at any time.

You can conduct reviews over the phone. Find out how to complete reviews in the assessor portal:

• Completing a Support Plan and Support Plan Review (RAS)
• Completing a Support Plan and Support Plan Review (ACAT)

For more on reviewing support plans, read chapter 10.6 of the Assessment Manual.

Get support

Go to guidance for aged care assessors for more resources and support.