How Home Care works

To access government funding for your home care services, call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 for an over-the-phone assessment.

They will ask you questions to work out your needs are and see if you are eligible for funding. At this stage, they will assess whether your needs are more suited to a Home Care Package or Commonwealth Home Support Programme.

Juniper tips

1. Be open and honest. It’s hard to ask for help, but if you underestimate your needs then you will not get the level of funding or support you actually need.
2. Have your Medicare card handy.
3. If you are only looking to get back on your feet, say after a hospital stay, and don’t need support long term, you can still apply for the Commonwealth Home Support Programme which is designed to be entry-level and short term.

An assessor will arrange a time to visit and come to you at your home for an assessment.

• A home support assessment with a Regional Assessment Service (RAS):

If My Aged Care thinks your needs are suited to the Commonwealth Home Support Programme, they will arrange for a face-to-face assessment by the Regional Assessment Service (RAS). During that visit, you usually find out if you are eligible to receive services and what type, or they will be able to explain why you’re not eligible.

• A comprehensive assessment with an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT):

If My Aged Care thinks your needs are suited to a Home Care Package, they will arrange for a face-to-face assessment by the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) in your own home. You won’t find out at that visit your funding as the assessor will need some time to review your information. You will find out the outcome through a letter, which will contain the decision, the level of package you have been approved for, the reasons for the decision, and a copy of your support plan.

Juniper tip

Moral support. You can choose to have a family member, friend or carer with you during the assessment. If you think this will make you more comfortable, go for it! You will need to flag this when you first sign up with My Aged Care so you can give consent.

Once you have received your approval letter, or referral for CHSP, please call us on 1300 313 000 and we can start working to understand your needs, what your goals are and to get the services perfect for you so you can stay independent in your own home.

Juniper tip

When your dedicated Care Lead visits you, talk to them as openly as you feel comfortable. We want to understand the whole picture, your needs, what you find meaningful in life. That way we can use our expertise with your help to craft a Care Plan using our in-house professionals, like physiotherapists, occupational therapists, podiatrists, nurses and support workers, so you can maintain or improve your quality of life, living independently in your own home and connecting to your community.