Assessed and waiting for care

It can take some time to apply for and receive approval for your aged care funding. But you don’t need to wait, there are other options to consider.

The Australian Government allocates funding based on how urgently you need care. If you’ve been approved for Support at Home funding your assessor will evaluate how urgently you need care during your assessment. They will then give you one of four priorities: standard, medium, high, or urgent.

The government sets a different average period per priority, which they update regularly. If your waiting period is longer than average, you may be able to spend some of your funding on some of the services you need. 

We can help you work out what services you can start while you wait. There are also other options to receive care.

Commonwealth Home Support Programme services

If you need more support, you may also be able to receive Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) services. You can speak to your assessor during your assessment or call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 for more details. 

CHSP provides funding for basic services to help you maintain your health and live independently at home. You may need to pay a small contribution fee for these services based on your financial circumstances. If you require more services than what you can receive through CHSP funding, you can also pay privately for your aged care services.

Private services

You can choose to pay and receive any of our aged care services. No government assessments are needed and can start receiving care without the wait. Find out more about your private options here. 

For more information, see our aged care frequently asked questions and the Support at Home glossary. Contact our Contact Centre at 1300 650 803 or complete our enquiry form to get started.