The assessment determines how much government funding is available for care at home. A one-level difference can mean $8,000–$15,000 more or less per year. Getting it right matters.
This guide is for the person being assessed, their partner or spouse, or a family member attending the assessment with them.
The single most important thing
Describe your worst days, not your best. Many people naturally present as more capable during an assessment — concentrating harder, trying not to seem like a burden. The assessor needs to understand your real, everyday situation. If you're having a good day, say so: "Today is better than usual. On harder days, I struggle to..."
Before the assessment — prepare these
□Write down your three biggest daily difficulties — things you struggle with or can't do safely alone
□List any falls or near-falls in the last 12 months, with approximate dates
□List all your medical conditions, even the ones you've 'managed' for years
□Write down all medications you take
□Note anything a family member or carer currently does for you
□Think about overnight concerns — getting to the toilet, falls in the dark, being alone
□If a family member is attending, brief them on what to add if you understate things
What the assessor will ask about
Click each area for specific tips on what to say and what not to hide.
Daily tasks — what you can and can't do
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Safety at home
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Memory and thinking
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Social connection and mental health
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The carer's situation (if someone helps you)
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On the day of the assessment
✓It's your right to have a family member, friend, or carer present
✓You can ask for an interpreter if English isn't your first language
✓Ask the assessor to explain anything you don't understand
✓If you feel the assessor missed something important, say so before they leave
✓Ask when you'll receive the outcome and what it means
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