Conduct the assessment
Once the referral is accepted and triaged, the assessor will be assigned a referral in the My Aged Care assessor portal (assessor portal).
The client record can then be viewed, and includes their action plan and preferences for care. For more information on navigating and updating client records, see our guide for Navigating and Updating the Client Record.
If needed, assessors can also register a referral themselves in the assessor portal. For more information, see our user guide for Registering and Referring Clients.
Assessors must use the Integrated Assessment Tool (IAT) to conduct the assessment.
The assessment component of the IAT is divided into 12 sections. Some sections of the IAT contain nested questions to tailor assessments, only diving deeper into areas where needed.
Some question sets or validated tools in the IAT will only display if certain answers are selected to the question directly proceeding it (see the IAT user guide for more information).
The IAT integrates 11 validated tools directly into the assessment process, enhancing the depth and clinical relevance of the assessment compared to the National Screening and Assessment Form where such tools were treated as supplementary. The use of supplementary validated tools is at the discretion of the assessor (see below).
Assessors must do the assessment in the assessor portal. If unable to access the portal or if it is not appropriate to use the IAT during the assessment, assessors can access the IAT Offline Form. After the assessment the assessor must enter all recorded details into the portal.
For more information on how to complete assessments in the assessor portal, see our guide for Completing an Assessment.
For more information on conducting assessments, read section 5.5 of the My Aged Care Assessment Manual.
Create the support plan
The support plan is a key document provided to the client and other key stakeholders (such as service providers), summarising the assessment findings and outcomes.
To create the support plan:
- follow the support plan section of the IAT user guide
- refer to section 5.7 of the My Aged Care Assessment Manual.
For information on how to enter a support plan in the assessor portal, see our guide for Completing a support plan and Support Plan Review.
For more information on creating support plans, read section 5.7 of the My Aged Care Assessment Manual.
Finalise the assessment
After the assessment, assessors should quality check information gathered and their recommendations.
Information should be complete, accurate and consistent.
If more information is needed, a client can give consent for their general practitioner to be contacted.
For more information on finalising assessments, read section 5.12 of the My Aged Care Assessment Manual.
Review and approve recommendation (Assessment Delegate only)
If you are an Assessment Delegate, you must:
- review and approve the recommendations that clinical aged care needs assessors make
- record your reasons for the decision.
For more information on how to do this in the assessor portal, see Delegate processes (Assessment Delegate). For more information on delegate responsibilities and the approval process, read part D of the My Aged Care Assessment Manual.
Action the assessment outcome
If a client is eligible and agrees to it, the assessor can issue referrals for:
- the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP)
- residential aged care
- flexible care.
Assessors can only issue referrals for Home Care Packages after a client has been assigned a package.
For more information on how to issue referrals in the assessor portal, see our guides for Referring for services.
If needed, provide short-term reablement support and linking support to vulnerable clients.
Assessors must also provide the outcome of the assessment to the client. This can include a:
- support plan
- delegate decision letter (if applicable)
- Application for care form (if applicable)
- referral code letter (if applicable).
Assessors should follow up with a client to make sure they are receiving the correct services for their needs. Follow-ups are particularly helpful for vulnerable clients who may find the process more difficult.
For more information on referrals and follow-ups, read section 5.8 of the My Aged Care Assessment Manual.