If you meet the eligibility requirements, you can apply for an aged care assessment online. (Takes approximately 20 minutes to complete)

There are three parts. The first checks your eligibility, the second captures your details, and the third confirms who the assessor should call to arrange the assessment.

You will need your Medicare card and enough time to complete the form properly.

My Aged Care will organise an assessment of your needs which will be carried out by an Aged Care Assessment Service (ACAS) nurse who will visit you at home.  They will talk to you about your circumstances and needs and work with you to identify what services might suit you best.  This assessment will determine if you are eligible for a level 1, 2, 3, or 4 Home Care Package. My Aged Care will write to you, telling you which level you have been approved for

Not everyone needs to fill out an income assessment or means (income + assets) form.

Please visit the My Aged Care Income and Means Assessments page to find out.

You will answer a couple of questions, which take less than a minute to complete, and this will tell you if you need to complete an income assessment form. 

If you do need to complete an income assessment form this is processed by Services Australia.  You can either download, print, and complete this form: Home Care Package Calculation of your Cost of Care form (SA456) OR Call Services Australia on 1800 227 475 and ask for the form to be sent to you.

Approved for a Home Care Package

After applying and being assessed, you will receive an approval letter from your assessor stating the level of package you are eligible for and the priority for receiving services.  You must then wait to be assigned a package before you can start to access funds.

Assigned a Home Care Package

Once you have been assigned a Home Care Package you will receive a letter from My Aged Care which contains a referral code. The referral code allows the Nurse Next Door to see your assessment information, support plan and package level and access the funds in your Home Care Package so that services can start.   

Once the package is assigned you now have 56 days to enter into a Home Care Agreement with a provider (you can also ask for an additional 28 day extension) or their package will be terminated. 

A Referral Code is a unique number (1- number) that you receive when you are assigned a Home Care Package.

You will need to give the Referral code to us so we are able to trigger your funding. It will also allow us to access the details from your ACAT/ACAS assessment and ensure that we are the best fit for your specific care needs.

You can find your Referral Code on the letter you received from My Aged Care assigning you your package. If you can’t find your letter, you can call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 and simply ask for them for it.

Depending on the level of the Home Care Package you receive, you can get assistance with a range of different services.

Home Care Packages are flexible and together with Nurse Next Door Home Care Services, you can work out a care plan that will be tailored to best suit your needs and will need to work out if a care or service that you need which are not covered by other health programs.

Your wait time for a Home Care Package is determined by two main factors:

1. Date of Approval: The earlier you’re approved, the sooner you’ll receive your package.
2. Priority for Care: Your individual needs are assessed, and your priority level is assigned accordingly.

These factors collectively determine your place in the queue within the National Priority System (NPS). It’s important to remember that these wait times are estimates and can fluctuate based on demand and the availability of services in your area.

Estimated Wait Times by Home Care Package Level

For those approved and entering the NPS as of 31 May 2024, the estimated wait times to receive your approved HCP are as follows:

HCP Level 1: Less than 1 month
HCP Level 2: 3-6 months
HCP Level 3: 9-12 months
HCP Level 4: 6-9 months

If you or your loved one is unhappy with the quality of home care or the current provider, you can request a change of providers through My Aged Care at any time, and your current provider must support you in the move.

You will need to

1. Check your Home Care Agreement that you have with your current provider so you know about any conditions such as notice periods that may apply.
2. Write to your existing provider and tell them you want to move your Home Care Package to Nurse Next Door
3. Ask your current provider to confirm in writing the last date that they will be providing care - this will be known as your cessation date.
4. Call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 to tell them you are switching your Home Care Package a new provider and ask for your new unique referral code.
5. Give this unique referral code to Nurse Next Door so that we can access your My Aged Care records and register as your new care provider.
6. Any unspent funds from your package will be transferred to Nurse Next Door.
7. Nurse Next Door will create a new care plan and client service agreement with you.