Aged Care Assessment Service (ACAS)

We are dedicated to providing compassionate and professional support for older individuals in the Southern Aged Care Planning Region. Our services are tailored to meet the diverse needs of people aged 65 and over, or 50 and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

What is an aged care assessment?

An aged care assessment helps us to understand your individual needs and identify the most appropriate services to support your independence, health, and wellbeing.

How does Monash Health support with aged care assessments?

Monash Health manages all new referrals for aged care assessments in the southern and eastern region of Melbourne. We work collaboratively with our partner organisations to ensure you receive timely care from the most appropriate local provider.

We can assist you, your family, or carer to find the most appropriate services that will support your individual needs and lifestyle choices. We will partner with you to make informed decisions about current and future care and where required, connect you with other care providers.

We assess eligibility for a range of Commonwealth funded aged care programs, including:

• Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP)
• Support at Home
• Residential Aged Care (permanent care and respite care)
• Transition Care Program (TCP).

Our assessment team

We are a multidisciplinary team which includes assessors who are from clinical and non-clinical backgrounds including allied health, nursing, and administration.

Once your referral has been received and triaged, it will be allocated to your local assessment team, who will contact you to arrange a time for an assessment.

Aged Care Assessments

• Comprehensive Assessments: a holistic assessment to identify your care needs, determine eligibility and recommend suitable services which can include Short Term Restorative Care, Transition Care Program, Permanent Residential Care, Residential Respite and Home Care Packages
• Home Support Assessments: for individuals seeking entry-level support to maintain independence at home and access to the Commonwealth Home Support Program

Who can access an assessment?

You may be referred for an aged care assessment if you are experiencing difficulties managing everyday activities due to ageing, illness, frailty or disability. This may include challenges with:

• personal care
• mobility and getting around safely
• memory or cognitive changes
• managing health conditions
• maintaining safety and independence at home.

To be eligible for an assessment, you are generally:

• 65 years or older, or
• 50 years or older and identify as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person, or
• 50 years or older and homeless or at risk of homelessness.

Eligibility is not based on age alone. Referrals are made through My Aged Care, which undertakes an initial screening to understand your circumstances, support needs, and suitability for an aged care assessment. This helps ensure you are connected with the most appropriate services and supports.

What happens during an aged care assessment?

Your aged care assessment is completed by a qualified aged care assessor from our multidisciplinary team, which may include nurses, allied health professionals, and Home Support Assessors (non-clinical).

The assessment is a conversation that helps us understand your individual circumstances, including your health, daily living needs, current supports, goals and what matters most to you. With your consent, family members, carers or support persons are welcome to be involved in the discussion.

During the assessment, we will talk with you about how you are managing at home, any challenges you may be experiencing, and the support you may need now or in the future. We will explore services and programs that can help you maintain your independence, safety and wellbeing and identify the most appropriate aged care supports available to meet your needs.

Our goal is to ensure you receive the right support at the right time, helping you to live as independently and comfortably as possible.

How to arrange an aged care assessment

Referrals for aged care assessments are made through My Aged Care, the Australian Government’s entry point for aged care services. The My Aged Care website is a useful resource to help you prepare for your assessment.

Step 1: Contact My Aged Care

You, a family member, carer, GP, or health professional can contact My Aged Care to discuss your care and support needs. My Aged Care will ask a series of questions about your health, daily activities and current supports.

Step 2: Initial screening

My Aged Care will complete an initial screening to understand your circumstances, level of need, and the types of services that may be appropriate for you.

Step 3: Referral for assessment

If further assessment is required to determine your eligibility for Australian Government funded aged care services, My Aged Care will refer you to an assessment organisation in your area. In Melbourne’s southern and eastern regions, this may be Monash Health Aged Care Assessment.

Learn more

To find out more about aged care services or to arrange an assessment, visit the My Aged Care website or contact Monash Health Aged Care Assessment.

If you would like to find out about the status of your assessment, please also contact My Aged Care and they can advise you which organisation is managing your referral and how to make contact.