Confused about the difference between NDIS and My Aged Care? Expert Health Services explains both systems so you can access the right support in Sydney
A home care assessment is one of the most important steps in accessing government funded support at home in Australia. Whether you are going through the My Aged Care process or preparing for an NDIS assessment, knowing the right questions to ask can make a significant difference to the outcome of your assessment and the level of support you receive.
Many older Australians and their families feel nervous or unsure going into a home care assessment. They worry about saying the wrong thing, forgetting important details, or not understanding the process well enough to advocate for their needs. This guide is here to help.
Below we share the 10 most important questions to ask during a home care assessment, so you can walk in feeling prepared, confident, and ready to get the support you and your loved one genuinely need.
What Is a Home Care Assessment?
A home care assessment is a formal process carried out by a trained assessor to determine what level of support you need to remain living safely and independently at home. The assessor will visit you in your home and ask about your health, daily activities, mobility, social situation, and personal goals.
In Australia, there are two main types of home care assessment:
- A My Aged Care assessment, carried out by an Aged Care Assessment Team, also known as an ACAT, or a Regional Assessment Service for lower level needs. This assessment determines your eligibility and priority for the Support at Home program or other aged care services.
- An NDIS access and planning assessment, which determines whether you meet the eligibility criteria for the National Disability Insurance Scheme and what supports should be included in your NDIS plan.
To understand the difference between these two systems before your assessment, read our guide on the difference between NDIS and My Aged Care.
Why Asking Questions During a Home Care Assessment Australia Matters
Your home care assessment is not just something that happens to you. It is a two-way conversation, and you have every right to ask questions, request clarification, and provide as much detail as possible about your situation.
Assessors are trained to be thorough, but they can only work with the information you give them. If you do not mention a particular difficulty, struggle, or concern, it may not be captured in the assessment. The questions you ask during the assessment also help you understand what to expect from the process and how to make the most of the support you are approved for.
10 Questions to Ask During a Home Care Assessment
1. What Level of Support Am I Likely to Be Approved For?
This is the most important question to ask and one many people forget. After completing the assessment, ask the assessor what level or category of support they think you are likely to be approved for based on what they have observed. While assessors cannot give a final decision on the spot, they can give you a general indication of where your needs sit.
Understanding this early helps you start planning your next steps, including researching providers and understanding your likely funding amount.
2. What Should I Have Told You That I May Have Forgotten?
This is one of the most underused but valuable questions you can ask. Assessors see many clients, and they know the kinds of details people commonly leave out. Asking this question gives the assessor an opportunity to prompt you about areas you may not have thought to mention, such as falls risk, incontinence, memory concerns, or difficulty sleeping.
If you are attending the assessment with a family member, ask them beforehand to note down anything they have observed that you might minimise or forget to mention.
3. How Will My Care Needs Be Prioritised?
Under the Support at Home program, clients are assigned a priority category based on their assessed needs. Ask the assessor how your situation will be categorised and what factors will influence your priority level. This is particularly important if you are on a waiting list, as higher priority means faster access to funding.
4. What Services Will My Funding Cover?
Ask the assessor to explain clearly which types of services your approved level of support will cover. Under the Support at Home program, funding is organised into three categories: clinical care including nursing, independence support, and everyday living support. Knowing what each category covers helps you plan your care and choose the right provider.
For a detailed breakdown of what home care funding covers and what you may need to contribute, read our guide on how much home care costs in Australia.
5. Will I Need to Pay Any Fees Out of My Own Pocket?
Ask the assessor whether you will be required to make any personal contributions towards your care. Under the Support at Home program, clinical care services are fully funded with no co-contribution required. However, independence support and everyday living services may involve an income tested contribution depending on your financial circumstances.
Knowing this upfront helps you budget appropriately and avoid surprises once services begin.
6. How Long Will I Wait Before Services Begin?
Waiting times for home care funding can vary depending on your priority level and the availability of services in your area. Ask the assessor for a realistic estimate of how long the process from assessment to services starting is likely to take.
If you have urgent needs and cannot wait, ask whether there are any interim options such as the Commonwealth Home Support Program that could provide basic help while you wait for your full funding to be approved.
7. Can I Choose My Own Home Care Provider?
Yes, in most cases you can, and it is important to know this from the start. Ask the assessor to confirm that you have the right to choose and change your own provider. Under both the Support at Home program and the NDIS, you have freedom of choice when selecting a provider to deliver your services.
If you would like guidance on what to look for when selecting a provider, we service a wide range of suburbs across Sydney. Visit our locations page to check whether Expert Health Services covers your area.
8. What Happens If My Needs Change After the Assessment?
Your care needs may increase or change over time due to health changes, a fall, a hospital admission, or a change in your personal circumstances. Ask the assessor what the process is for requesting a reassessment if your needs change after your initial approval.
Under the Support at Home program, you can request a reassessment at any time if your needs increase. Knowing this in advance gives you peace of mind that you are not locked in permanently to one level of support.
9. How Will the Assessment Affect My Current Support Arrangements?
If you are already receiving some level of support, whether privately funded, through the Commonwealth Home Support Program, or through an existing Home Care Package, ask the assessor how the new assessment will interact with your current arrangements.
For those who previously held a Home Care Package, our guide on home care package levels 1 to 4 explained provides useful context on how the old system compared to the new Support at Home model.
10. What Do I Do If I Disagree With the Outcome of My Assessment?
This is a question many people do not think to ask, but it is essential. If you feel the assessment outcome does not accurately reflect your needs, you have the right to request a review or appeal the decision.
Ask the assessor to explain the review and appeals process before you leave, including who to contact and what timeframe applies. Having this information at hand means you are not left scrambling to find it later if you feel the outcome is not right.
How to Prepare for Your Home Care Assessment
Getting prepared before your assessment is just as important as what you ask during it. Here are some practical steps to take beforehand:
- Write down every daily task you find difficult, including showering, cooking, cleaning, managing medications, and getting in and out of bed
- Note any falls, near misses, or safety concerns in your home over the past 12 months
- List all of your current health conditions and the medications you take
- Think about your personal goals, not just your limitations. What would you like to do more of if you had the right support?
- Ask a family member or trusted friend to attend the assessment with you if possible
- Do not downplay your difficulties on the day. Assessors need to understand your worst days, not just your best ones
If you are not yet sure whether a loved one actually needs a formal assessment, our article on the signs your elderly parent needs home care can help you decide.
What Happens After Your Home Care Assessment?
Once your assessment is complete, you will receive a letter confirming your approved level of support and your priority category. From there, you will need to:
- Choose a registered home care provider to deliver your services
- Sign a written service agreement with your chosen provider
- Work with your provider to develop a personalised care plan based on your assessed needs and personal goals
The My Aged Care website has a provider finder tool to help you search for registered providers in your area. You can also call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 for assistance.
For a complete overview of how the Support at Home program works following your assessment, read our guide on the Support at Home program in Australia.
How Expert Health Services Supports You After Your Assessment
Once you have been approved for home care funding, Expert Health Services is ready to step in and deliver the right support for your situation. We are a fully NDIS registered and aged care approved provider servicing South Western and South Eastern Sydney, with over 15 years of experience supporting older Australians at home.
Our services cover everything you may be approved for through your home care assessment, including:
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens during a home care assessment in Australia?
A trained assessor visits you at home and asks about your health, mobility, daily activities, social situation, safety, and personal goals. The information gathered during the assessment determines your eligibility for government funded home care support and the level of funding you are approved for.
How do I request a home care assessment?
You can request a home care assessment through My Aged Care by calling 1800 200 422 or applying online at myagedcare.gov.au. For an NDIS assessment, you submit an Access Request through the NDIS website at ndis.gov.au or call 1800 800 110.
Can I have someone with me during my home care assessment?
Yes. You have the right to have a family member, friend, carer, or advocate present during your home care assessment. Having someone with you can be helpful for remembering important details and ensuring your needs are clearly communicated to the assessor.
What if I am not happy with the outcome of my home care assessment?
If you feel the assessment outcome does not accurately reflect your needs, you can request a review. For My Aged Care assessments, contact the Aged Care Assessment Team that conducted your assessment. For NDIS decisions, you can request an internal review through the National Disability Insurance Agency. Both processes allow you to provide additional information or evidence to support your case.
How long does it take to receive home care support after an assessment?
Timeframes vary depending on your assessed priority level and the availability of services in your area. If you have been assessed as having an urgent need, support may be arranged within days. If your needs are lower priority, there may be a waiting period. Ask your assessor for an indication of expected timeframes at the end of your assessment.
Conclusion
A home care assessment is your opportunity to clearly communicate your needs and access the level of government funded support that can genuinely improve your quality of life at home. Going in prepared, knowing the right questions to ask, and understanding what happens next makes the whole process far less stressful.
At Expert Health Services, we are here to support you at every step, from understanding the assessment process to delivering the right care once your funding is in place. Our experienced team has helped hundreds of Sydney families navigate the home care system and access the services they need.
Call us today on 0414 072 871 or visit our contact page to speak with our friendly care team.
