How to Get a My Aged Care Assessment in the Northern Rivers

If you’re starting to think about aged care support for yourself or a family member in Ballina, Lismore, or the Northern Rivers, the first step is a My Aged Care assessment. It sounds more formal than it is. Here’s exactly what happens and what to expect.

What is My Aged Care?

My Aged Care is the Australian Government’s entry point to the aged care system. It’s where everyone starts, whether you need a little help around the house or more regular daily support.

You can reach My Aged Care by phone on 1800 200 422 or online at myagedcare.gov.au. The service is free, and you don’t need a referral from your GP to get in touch, though your GP can refer you if you prefer that route.

Who Should Get an Assessment?

You’re in the right place if you or someone you care for:

• Is finding some daily tasks harder than they used to be
• Has recently come home from hospital and needs extra support
• Wants to stay living at home but needs a bit of help to do that safely
• Has a carer who needs some respite

You don’t need to be in crisis to access aged care support. The earlier you get assessed, the sooner you can get the right support in place.

Step 1: Contact My Aged Care

Call 1800 200 422 or go to myagedcare.gov.au. You’ll speak with a staff member who will ask you some basic questions about your situation and what kind of help you’re looking for.

This first call takes around 15 to 30 minutes. Have your Medicare card handy. If you’re calling on behalf of a family member, you can do so with their permission.

Based on what you share, they’ll arrange the right type of assessment for you.

Step 2: Your Home Assessment

An assessor will come to your home in the Northern Rivers to meet with you. This is not a test or an inspection. It’s a conversation.

They’ll ask about your daily routine, what you can manage on your own, what you need help with, and what your goals are. They want to understand your life, not just your limitations.

The assessment is carried out by either a Regional Assessment Service (RAS) for lower-level support, or an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) for more complex or higher-level needs.

You’re welcome to have a family member or friend with you during the assessment.

Step 3: Your Assessment Outcome

After your assessment, you’ll receive a letter with your outcome. This will tell you what level of support you’ve been approved for under the Support at Home program.

Your outcome letter is the starting point for choosing a provider. Once you have it, you can choose who delivers your support services. That’s where providers like Greater Support come in.

How Long Does It Take?

Wait times for assessments can vary. In the Northern Rivers, demand for aged care support is high, with more than 2,000 local residents on the waitlist at any given time. Getting your assessment done as soon as possible means you get into the queue earlier.

Once assessed, you’ll be allocated support based on your needs and your place in the queue.

How Greater Support Can Help After Your Assessment

Once you have your assessment outcome, you’re ready to choose a provider. Greater Support is a registered aged care provider based in the Northern Rivers. We work with people in Ballina, Lismore, and the surrounding area to deliver in-home support that’s practical, local, and built around your life.

We help with personal care, household support, meals, transport, and connecting you with community activities in the Northern Rivers. We work with Support at Home participants across all classification levels.

If you’ve already been assessed and you’re looking for a provider, we’d love to talk.

Ready to Take the First Step?

You don’t need to have everything figured out. Give us a call or send a message and we can help you understand where you’re at and what comes next.

Contact Greater Support | Learn more about the Support at Home program | Learn more about our Aged Care services

Greater Support is an NDIS registered provider delivering personalised disability, aged care, and family support services in Ballina, Lismore, Northern Rivers NSW, Sydney, Brisbane, and Logan City.