Where to start: My Aged Care
The starting point for Australian Government aged care.
The first thing to know is that there is one starting point in Australia for almost all government-funded aged care: My Aged Care. You don’t need to know what you need yet — you just need to make the call.
Aged care is changing
Make the first call
My Aged Care
Call 1800 200 422 · 8am–8pm Mon–Fri, 10am–2pm Sat
You can call on someone else’s behalf with their permission. The line is patient and used to people who don’t know where to begin.
What happens on the call
A My Aged Care staff member will ask some questions about the person’s situation, health, and what kind of help they’re looking for. They will then arrange a free in-home assessment.
- Apply online at My Aged Care, or call 1800 200 422. You don't ask for a particular type of assessment any more — an assessor works out what you need. It's free, and it happens at home. (This is what used to be ACAT or a RAS assessment.)
- You can also start through an Aged Care Specialist Officer at a Services Australia centre.
The assessment is free. It comes to you. It commits you to nothing.
Have these things ready (if you can)
- Medicare number
- A list of current medical conditions and medications
- GP and specialist names
- Centrelink Customer Reference Number (CRN), if any
- Names of family or friends who help out
If My Aged Care feels like too much
You don’t have to do this alone. Free aged care navigators exist all around Australia — many are run through community health, COTA (Council on the Ageing), and aged care information services. Ask at your GP, council or local community health centre.
COTA — Council on the Ageing
Peak body for older Australians. Free information and advocacy.
OPAN — Older Persons Advocacy Network
Free, independent advocacy service. Call 1800 700 600.
See all 53 guides in Care & end of life →
From bluetulipco.com/library/end-of-life/getting-started — printed 1 October 2026.
General information only — not a substitute for legal, medical, financial, or therapeutic advice. Read the full disclaimer.
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