How to register for home care support

We understand that taking that first step on your home care journey can be difficult. You might not know where to start, or what support options are available to you.

To help you get started, we’ve put together the below step-by-step guide on how to access home care assistance. If you’d prefer to start by talking to a real person, then we encourage you to reach out to our friendly team on 1300 819 200, or alternatively, we offer regular drop-in sessions at libraries and community hubs across Kingston, where you can speak to our team about all your questions and concerns.

We’re here to support you every step of the way on this journey, and can provide obligation-free advice and guidance.

Step 1: Contact My Aged Care

The first step on your home care journey is to contact My Aged Care, which is your entry point to Australian Government-funded aged care services. You can call them on 1800 200 422 or visit their website.

The My Aged Care team will organise a free home assessment for you, which is when an Aged Care Assessor will chat to you about your day-to-day routine, your current health concerns and what is important to you in terms of your care.

For more information about My Aged Care, please read our article about navigating My Aged Care.

Step 2: Receive the results of your assessment

Following your home assessment, your Aged Care Assessor will send you a letter to let you know if you’ve been approved to receive government funded care. Depending on your personal situation, you may be eligible for the Commonwealth Home Support Programme or a Home Care Package.

If you are approved for the Commonwealth Home Support Programme, you will be sent a unique referral code for each service you are eligible for, which you will need to give to your chosen home care provider (see Step 5 below).

If you were approved from a Home Care Package, you will be placed on the national waiting list. When you are assigned a package, you will receive a second letter from My Aged Care. This letter will include your unique referral code, which you will need to give to your chosen home care provider in order to start receiving care services (see Step 5 below).

Step 3: Determine the cost of your package

While the Australian Government subsidises the cost of the Commonwealth Home Support Programme and Home Care Packages, you may still be required to make a small contribution. Whether or not you will have any out-of-pocket expenses will depend on the type of care you have been approved for and your personal situation.

Find out more about the fees you may be required to pay on this page.

Step 4: Choose your home care provider

Whether you are approved for the Commonwealth Home Support Programme or a Home Care Package, you have the right to choose your home care provider, which is the organisation that will deliver your home care services.

Find out more about how to choose the home care provider who is right for you on this page. 

Step 5: Start receiving care

Once you have chosen a home care provider, you will need to call them and give them the unique referral code or codes you received at step 2. Now, you are ready to create your personalised support plan!

If you have selected AccessCare as your home care provider, our team will work with you to tailor a care plan that best suits your lifestyle and life goals. When your plan is complete, we can start scheduling your services.

Our team will always be available to you 24/7 if you ever have any questions or if your needs or circumstances change. We are here to support you and guide you to ensure you continue to live independently in your own home for longer.

More information

If you have any questions about My Aged Care or would like some free and confidential advice regarding your personal situation, please contact our friendly team on 1300 819 200.

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