ACAT Assessment Complete Guide (2026): What to Expect, Wait Times & How to Apply

1. What is an ACAT Assessment?

The Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) — referred to in Victoria as the Aged Care Assessment Service (ACAS) — is a team of healthcare professionals (including geriatric nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, and physiotherapists) funded by the Commonwealth to assess older Australians.

An ACAT assessment is not a test to pass or fail. It is a collaborative clinical conversation designed to identify what everyday tasks have become difficult, what safety risks exist in the home, and what government subsidies your family is entitled to receive.

2. Who Needs an ACAT Assessment?

You require an approved ACAT assessment if you or your loved one is seeking:

• Permanent Residential Aged Care: Moving into an accredited nursing home.
• Residential Respite Care: Short-term temporary stays in an aged care facility.
• Support at Home Classifications: Medium to high-level in-home care packages.
• Transition Care Programme (TCP): Short-term restorative care following a hospital stay.

3. The 4-Step Application & Assessment Process

1. Step 1 — Referral & Registration: Call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or submit an online referral. Your GP or hospital social worker can also lodge a referral directly.
2. Step 2 — Intake & Triage: A My Aged Care triage operator screens the request to determine urgency (High Priority, Medium Priority, or Routine).
3. Step 3 — Face-to-Face Assessment: The assessor visits the senior's home to conduct the clinical interview and physical environment check.
4. Step 4 — Approval Letter & Referral Codes: You receive an official approval letter containing your unique referral codes to give to your chosen aged care provider.

4. Current Wait Times & Hospital Fast-Tracking

Across Australia, standard community ACAT assessment wait times range from 2 to 6 weeks from referral to home visit.

Hospital Fast-Track: If an elderly patient is currently admitted to an Australian hospital and cannot safely return home without care, the hospital's acute care assessment team can perform the evaluation bedside within 24 to 48 hours to facilitate rapid discharge into residential care or restorative respite.

5. How to Prepare Your Home and Documents

To ensure your assessment runs smoothly and captures the full extent of your care needs:

• Have your Medicare card, pension card, and DVA card ready.
• Prepare a current list of all prescribed medications and medical diagnoses from your GP.
• Ensure a family member, carer, or enduring Power of Attorney (EPOA) is present to assist with questions.
• Be honest about bad days: Many seniors instinctively downplay their difficulties during the interview. Ensure the assessor understands what happens when pain, confusion, or fatigue strikes.