The aged care assessment (ACAT)
The gateway to higher-level care.
ACAT — or ACAS in Victoria — has been replaced by the Single Assessment System, phased in from 1 July 2024 and arranged through My Aged Care. It is still a free in-home conversation that decides what kind of subsidised aged care a person is approved for, with one assessment workforce now instead of several. Nothing is decided about you without you.
What the assessment actually is
A health professional — usually a nurse or social worker — visits the person at home for about an hour. They ask about daily life, health, what’s getting hard, and what they’d like to be different. They don’t tell anyone what to do.
Afterwards they decide what level of subsidised care the person is approved for. This sets the door open — the person can then choose whether and when to walk through it.
Have someone there with you
Most people benefit from having a trusted family member or friend present during the assessment. Two pairs of ears, two pairs of notes, and a calmer conversation overall.
Be honest, not brave
Many older people downplay how much they’re struggling — they don’t want to be a bother, or they don’t want to lose independence. Encourage them gently to describe a normal bad day, not a good one. The assessment can only help them if it sees the real picture.
After the assessment
You’ll receive a letter showing what the person has been approved for — for example, a Support at Home classification, or eligibility for residential aged care. The letter is the key. Keep it.
See all 53 guides in Care & end of life →
From bluetulipco.com/library/end-of-life/acat — 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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