Independent help before the aged care assessment
Help the assessor see what you see.
"I manage fine" is an easy answer to give. Our free tool turns what really happens at home into a written statement for the assessor. Only what's true. Nothing exaggerated.
Free. No account needed. The assessment itself is free through My Aged Care. AgedCareActionPlan.au is independent and is not a government service.
Where are you now?
The assessment is coming up
Write down what really happens at home, so the assessor hears the whole story.
Start the free statement tool →Something isn't right with services
Free, independent help is a phone call away: OPAN's Aged Care Advocacy Line, 1800 700 600.
What to do, step by step →Looking for help with a "Home Care Package"? That program became Support at Home on 1 November 2025, so you're in the right place. This site covers help at home. For residential (nursing home) care, call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422. Under 65 and looking for disability support? Contact the NDIS on 1800 800 110.
Why "I manage fine" can leave the help out
For most everyday tasks, the assessor's form asks "Who helps?" only if the first answer leaves room for help. And "without help" means nobody reminds, checks or stands by.
So if someone waits outside the bathroom door in case of a slip, that's help. But if the answer is "I manage fine", it may never get written down.
My Aged Care says a family member or other supporter can give the assessor information before the assessment. A written statement is the simplest way to do it.
Prepare for the assessment — free →How we compare
What makes the assessment hard, and who helps with it
Three things make it hard. Here's how our free tool helps with each, and what your other options are.
| The worry | How we help | Your other options |
|---|---|---|
| “They'll tell the assessor they're fine, and I can't correct them in front of a stranger.” | How we help Write down the everyday help before the visit: the reminders, the checking, the standing by. It's on paper for the assessor, so you don't have to correct them out loud. | Your other options My Aged Care says a family member or supporter can give the assessor information before the assessment. Its preparation page lists what to bring, not how to write that information down. |
| “I don't know what they'll ask, or what counts as help.” | How we help One topic at a time, with an example for every question. Help includes reminding, checking and standing by, not only doing things for them. | Your other options My Aged Care explains the steps and what to bring. Provider and marketplace websites offer free checklists of documents and topics. |
| “Everyone wants something from us, and we can't pay a professional.” | How we help The tool is free, with no account. We take no commissions from any aged care provider. We're paid only by people who buy from us. | Your other options My Aged Care and OPAN are free and government-funded. Providers want you as a client, and some placement services are paid a fee by the provider you choose, so ask how they're paid. Private navigators charge their own fees. |
Rather talk to a person? OPAN's advocates are free on 1800 700 600. If there's no one else to help, a free care finder may be able to. We don't apply for you, attend the assessment or speak for you.
Independent
No commissions. No provider relationships. We're not affiliated with any aged care provider, insurer or financial adviser.
Free to start
The statement tool is free, with no account. It takes about 15 minutes.
Private by design
We don't keep your answers. The tool uses them to write your statement, emails it to you if you ask, and that's it.
How we use your answers"It kept me calm at times when I felt nervous, because I had no one else to discuss things with or give advice. Your guide made the process quicker, easier and gave good advice with well thought out instructions to follow."
Maggie, Sunshine Coast, about an earlier AgedCareActionPlan guide
Common questions
Is the aged care assessment free?
Yes. The assessment itself is free through My Aged Care (1800 200 422). AgedCareActionPlan.au is independent and is not a government service.
What does the free tool do with my answers?
It uses them to write your statement, and emails the statement to you if you ask. We don't keep your answers. The privacy page explains exactly how they're handled.
Can a family member give the assessor information?
Yes. My Aged Care says a family member or other supporter can give the assessor information before the assessment. A written statement is the simplest way to do it.
Will a statement get more help approved?
No one can honestly promise what an assessment will decide. A statement helps the assessor hear what really happens, completely and accurately. Only say what is true.
What if we disagree with the result?
You can ask for an internal review in writing within 28 days of receiving the assessment outcome letter (the Notice of Decision). The letter explains how, and requests can also be emailed to agedcarereviews@health.gov.au. For free, independent help, call OPAN on 1800 700 600.
Is this advice?
No. It's general information, not advice about your situation. For help with a specific situation, OPAN's advocates are free and independent: 1800 700 600.