If you are looking to access government-subsidised home care services for the first time, you will need to register with My Aged Care. Once registered, you can apply for an assessment to determine your eligibility for subsidised care.
You can complete the application yourself or on behalf of a family member or friend.
Note: If you have previously registered with My Aged Care, you cannot use the online form and will need to call My Aged Care.
My Aged Care (MAC) is the Government gateway for all your aged care needs, including assessment and information on aged care support and programs across Australia.
You can call the My Aged Care contact centre on 1800 200 422, or you can apply online at myagedcare.gov.au.
My Aged Care contact centre hours are:
Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm; Saturday 10am to 2pm AEST.
You will need your Medicare card and enough time to complete the application.
The My Aged Care staff will complete a screening process and ask you questions that will help them understand your needs and personal situation. This will include any help you currently receive from family, friends and other programs or services.
Your answers will help MAC understand your needs and whether you are eligible for an assessment.
My Aged Care will keep a record of your application, so you won’t have to provide the same information again at your assessment.
If you’ve had an assessment in the past, this would have been based on the needs that you had at that time. However, your circumstances and needs can change – perhaps some other daily tasks have become more difficult for you.
You can ask for a reassessment at any time.
If you were not eligible to receive government-subsidised home care service, you are still able to access service privately, paying the full-fee for services.
You do not need to apply for an assessment, nor complete an income assessment to access private services.
There is no wait time for accessing these services.
Often this is an option to commence receiving support services while you are waiting for your Support at Home funding to be assigned.
If your application is successful, and you are eligible for an assessment, you will be referred for a free assessment to better understand your support needs. Assessments are done in person, at your own home.
The assessment will determine your eligibility for a range of support services, including:
Your assessment will determine if you are approved for Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) services, or for support under Support at Home (SAH):
When you receive a letter confirming that you’ve been assigned or ‘allocated’ a package, you have 56 days to choose a provider. Your services can begin once you’re happy with your agreement with the provider.
It’s important to choose a provider that’s right for you. The right provider can make all the difference in ensuring you feel safe and supported with the care you are receiving from a provider you trust.
If your present home care provider is not changing with you and meeting your needs, then it’s easy to switch to Carinity. While it may seem a little daunting at first, we can take care of everything to ensure you start experiencing the Carinity difference straight away.
If you were not eligible to receive government-subsidised home care service, you are still able to access service privately, paying the full-fee for services.
You do not need to apply for an assessment, nor complete an income assessment to access private services.
There is no wait time for accessing these services.
Often this is an option to commence receiving support services while you are waiting for your Support at Home funding to be assigned.
Our friendly Customer Service Team are here to help you navigate and access support.