What is the New Single Assessment System

What is the Single Assessment System?

The Single Assessment System (SAS) is a streamlined process that allows older Australians to access all government-funded aged care services through a single assessment pathway. Before the introduction of SAS, older Australians had to navigate multiple assessment systems, depending on their needs and the types of care they required. This led to confusion, delays and a less-than-ideal experience for many.

Now, under the Single Assessment System for aged care, older people only need one assessment to access a range of services. The system connects individuals to appropriate care options, including home support, home care packages, respite services and residential care.

There are three main components of the Single Assessment System:

• Integrated Assessment Tool (IAT) — This tool started in July 2024 to assess eligibility for government-funded aged care services. It helps determine what services individuals are eligible for based on their care needs.

• Unified workforce — Starting in December 2024, a single team of professionals will conduct all assessments, combining the previous Regional Assessment Services (RAS), Aged Care Assessment Teams (ACAT) and independent Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) assessors for residential aged care funding.

• Culturally safe pathways for First Nations People — From July 2025, the system will include new assessment processes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, ensuring the services provided are culturally appropriate and safe.

The SAS aims to provide an easier, faster and more coordinated way for older Australians to access the care they need.

Why was the Single Assessment System introduced?

Before the introduction of the Single Assessment System, the aged care assessment process was complicated and fragmented. Older Australians and their families often had to go through multiple assessments, with different organisations handling each step. This created confusion and led to delays in receiving necessary services. Many people had to switch between assessment organisations as their care needs changed, which was both frustrating and time-consuming.

The Australian Government recognised these issues and wanted to create a simpler, more efficient system. The Single Assessment System was introduced as part of a larger reform to aged care services, following the findings of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.

The SAS addresses these problems by:

• Providing a single assessment pathway that can be used for all types and levels of care, reducing the need for multiple assessments.

• Improving accessibility by ensuring assessments are available in rural, remote and regional areas.

• Reducing wait times for assessments, meaning that older Australians can access care more quickly.

The system also simplifies the experience by ensuring that once you’re assessed, you’ll stay with the same provider as your needs change, making the process more straightforward and consistent.

How does the Single Assessment System work?

The process of accessing aged care services under the Single Assessment System starts with contacting My Aged Care, a central service that helps coordinate assessments and services for older Australians.

You can apply for an assessment in a few ways:

• Online through the My Aged Care website.
• By calling My Aged Care at 1800 200 422 (a free call).
• By booking a face-to-face appointment with an Aged Care Specialist Officer (ACSO) at select Services Australia service centres.

Assessment process 

Once you’ve applied, a Triage Delegate from the workforce will contact you within two weeks. This is a quick call to help determine the type of assessment you need. Depending on your care needs, you may be referred for a home support assessment or a more comprehensive assessment for services like the Home Care Packages Programme or entry into residential aged care.

On the day of assessment

A trained assessor will come to your home, or you may be assessed in a hospital if that’s where you are. During the assessment, they will ask questions about your health, daily activities and support needs. They will then recommend a care plan that suits your specific needs.

Ongoing care 

Once you’re assessed, the same organisation will follow you throughout your care journey, adapting your care plan as your needs change. This means you won’t need to switch assessors, which reduces confusion and ensures continuity of care.

Benefits of the Single Assessment System

The Single Assessment System offers a number of benefits for older Australians and their families:

• Simplified access to care — With the introduction of a single assessment pathway, older Australians can now access a wide range of services with just one assessment. This eliminates the need to go through multiple systems, making the process much easier to navigate.

• Reduced waiting times — One of the key goals of the SAS is to reduce the wait times for both assessments and services. By streamlining the process, older Australians can access the care they need more quickly, improving their quality of life.

• Better coordination of care — Since the same assessor will follow you throughout the process, there’s no need to start over each time your care needs change. This helps ensure that your care plan is always up to date and that services are well-coordinated.

• Access to care in remote areas — The system ensures that older Australians living in rural and remote areas have the same access to assessments and aged care services as those in urban areas, helping to address regional disparities.

How the Single Assessment System affects home care services

For those using home care services, such as Homecare My Way, the Single Assessment System for aged care has a direct positive impact. Under the new system, the assessment process is more streamlined, which means you’ll get the right services faster. The system also ensures that your care plan is flexible and can be adjusted as your needs change without the need to switch providers.

To prepare for your assessment, it’s helpful to gather information about your health, medications and daily living needs. If you’re unsure about what to expect, Homecare My Way can guide you through the process and offer advice on how to get the most out of the SAS.

Tips for navigating the Single Assessment System

Here are some tips to help you navigate the Single Assessment System successfully:

1. Gather relevant documents — Have your medical history, medications and current care plans on hand. This will help the assessor understand your needs better and provide more accurate recommendations.
2. Think about your care needs — Take some time to reflect on what types of support you might need, whether it’s help with daily activities, personal care, transport or medical services.
3. Ask for help — If you need assistance understanding the process, don’t hesitate to reach out to family, carers or our team at Homecare My Way. They can help explain the system and guide you through the steps.

The SAS is designed to make the process of accessing aged care services simpler, faster and more coordinated. Whether you’re applying for the first time or going through a reassessment, the system ensures that older Australians can receive the right care when they need it most.

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Take control of your care with Homecare My Way. Whether you’re interested in self-managed care options, want to compare care packages or are looking to switch providers, we offer the flexibility to meet your needs. Explore your options today and find the perfect care plan for you.