I've Registered for My Aged Care... Now What? - July Newsletter
- Kate Helmore
- Jul 6
- 5 min read
Registering with My Aged Care is often the first step people take when support at home becomes more important—or when care needs suddenly increase. However, once you’ve made the call or submitted the online form, it’s common to feel unclear about what comes next. In this month’s newsletter, I break down exactly what to expect after registration - so you can feel informed and in control, rather than overwhelmed.
For this reason, the theme I’ve chosen for July is
“I’ve Registered with My Aged Care, Now What?”
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER YOU REGISTER?
Once you register with My Aged Care, the process follows a general pathway—but there are some key things to understand along the way.
Intake and Screening
When you first speak with My Aged Care, they’ll ask general questions about:
Your current health and care needs
Any support you already receive
Safety and risk factors (e.g. falls, living alone, memory loss)
Based on your responses, they may then refer you for an assessment. It’s important during this initial discussion to paint a picture of your worst day - what is a hard day at home like and what are you having difficulty with.
I will always sit down with my clients before and write a list of all the things we want noted. Then when the assessor asks, I read through my list of concerns. If you’ve had any falls, hospitalisations or new health diagnosis’, I would put these items high up your list. They’re the most important things My Aged Care will want to note on your application.
TIP: Let My Aged Care know if the situation is urgent - delays can be reduced when there is an imminent safety concern.
Referral to Local Assessment Service
If your needs pass the initial screening, My Aged Care will then send your information through to your local Aged Care Assessment Service (ACAS), who will then contact you within 2-6 weeks, depending on the urgency and region.
When they contact you, they will likely conduct a secondary screening over the phone – wanting to know the reasons you’ve requested re-assessment. I often recommend clients keep a list on them (physically or saved on their phone) of the needs mentioned to My Aged Care, so they can reiterate this to the assessor.
TIP: If you’ve waited 6 weeks and haven’t heard from the assessors, contact My Aged Care and request the assessor’s number. You can then contact them directly and query where your assessment is up to. Sometimes they may have the incorrect contact details listed, so it’s worth checking in with them.
You’ll Be Assessed
I have a whole other newsletter that includes the various questions they will ask you in an assessment – located here. It’s important to know that this assessment can take anywhere from 1-2 hours and having a support person there can be helpful. Family or friends may need to assist with prompting more honest answers, for example:
Assessor: ‘how do you go with showering Mrs Jones?’
Mrs Jones: ‘I can do it on my own’
Son: ‘Mum generally showers 1-2 times a week, but it does usually take a lot of energy out of you, right Mum? She tends to use a shower chair and takes quite some time getting dressed again afterwards. A few months ago, she had a fall getting out of the shower’.
By adding those extra details, you’re helping give the assessor an accurate picture of your loved ones needs. Yes, Mrs Jones is physically showering on her own, but there are already signs to indicate she would benefit from having someone in the home to provide assistance.
TIP: A good assessor will ask follow-up questions to clarify answers, but they also don’t have time to question everything the older person says. Family gently prompting more honest reflections is a great way to ensure the assessor gets a holistic understanding.
Waiting Periods & Confusion
After your assessment, you’ll receive a letter confirming what you’re eligible for. This is where confusion often starts, because approval doesn't mean services start immediately.
For example:
Commonwealth Home Support Programme services may begin relatively quickly, depending on local providers.
Home Care Packages have long waitlists—anywhere from 6–18 months, depending on priority level.
This is where families can get stuck, thinking “but we’ve been approved—why is nothing happening?”. Families often contact me 6-12 months after an assessment when they’re yet to receive services and unclear about what they were approved for. This can be a good opportunity for me to come out, contact My Aged Care with you, confirm your current approvals and assist with getting some care in place.
TIP: If your loved ones situation changes whilst on the wait list, re-contact My Aged Care and let them know. For example, if their condition declines, they have several falls or are bouncing in & out of hospital, it’s important to update My Aged Care. This increased need may make you eligible for a ‘high priority’ package, which means you’ll usually have your package within the month.
Your Choices Matter
Once you package is approved, you will receive a letter advising that your Home Care Package is available. You are then responsible for:
Choosing a provider
Understanding your fees
Signing a service agreement
Most people aren’t sure how to compare options or what’s fair. Unless you’ve had lived experience with providers in your area, it can be hard to know where to start. If you’d like any assistance with this part of the process, please let me know. I may be able to give you some pointers over the phone or come out and meet with you to discuss options.
At any point in this journey, I can:
Clarify where you’re at in the process and what you’ve been approved for
Help choose the right provider for you
Explain the fees that may apply to you
Ensure you’re getting value for money
Step in if the situation becomes urgent or complex
You don’t have to figure it out alone and the earlier you get support, the smoother things tend to go.
The aged care system can feel like a maze, but you don’t have to walk through it blindfolded. Understanding what happens after you register is just as important as taking the first step. If you’re feeling stuck, please reach out. I’m here to answer any questions and help guide you through it.
As always, please feel free to pass this newsletter on to friends or family. If they want to subscribe, they can do so via my website.
If you want to have a look through some old podcast episodes, you can search for ‘The Truth About Ageing’. I release episodes sporadically which are available through your favourite podcast app (Apple Podcasts, Spotify) or at www.navigateagedcare.com.au/podcast.
Occasionally I also post updates on socials, which you can find at:
Facebook - @navigateagedcareau
Instagram - @thetruthaboutageing
Big love,
Kate.
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