What aged care assessments are
A person needs to be assessed before they can access government-funded aged care services. An assessment works out:
- a person’s care needs
- the types of care and services a person may be eligible for.
Every year, there are more than 440,000 assessments for home support services, home care packages and residential care.
How aged care assessments are changing
In the 2021-22 Budget, the Australian Government confirmed its commitment to establish a single assessment workforce.
From October 2022, the single assessment workforce will have responsibility for residential aged care funding assessments as the transition to the Australian National Aged Care Classification occurs.
Why we are changing aged care assessments
The Government is committed to establishing a more integrated aged care system that provides a continuum of services for senior Australians. There are currently 3 different assessment workforces:
-
Regional Assessment Services for the Commonwealth Home Support Programme
- Aged Care Assessment Teams for the Commonwealth Home Support Programme, Short Term Restorative Care, Transition Care, Home Care Packages, Residential Respite and entry to Residential Care, and
- clinicians working in residential aged care making assessments for residential care funding.
This means under the current arrangements, senior Australians must undergo multiple assessments with different assessment organisations as their needs change, and assessments are not consistent.
Find out more
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