Reassessment requests: how and when to ask for one

When you should request a reassessment

A Support at Home reassessment is a formal review of your care needs, conducted by an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT). It can move you up a classification (more funding) or rarely down (lower funding). You should request a reassessment when:

• Your health has changed significantly — a fall, hospital admission, new diagnosis, cognitive decline.
• Your circumstances have changed — a carer has died, moved away, or returned to work; you've moved house; you've started living alone.
• Your current budget consistently runs out before the quarter ends — that's a signal your needs exceed your classification.
• You're getting close to needing residential care — a higher Support at Home classification can sometimes delay that move.

You generally shouldn't request a reassessment if:

• Your needs are stable and within budget.
• You've had a reassessment in the past 12 months and nothing has changed.
• You're hoping to gain access to a service that's only available at a higher classification but your day-to-day needs don't actually warrant it.

The system tracks reassessment patterns — frequent unwarranted requests can flag a file for closer scrutiny.

How to request a reassessment

1. Call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422. Tell them you'd like to request a reassessment under Support at Home.
2. They'll ask why — have your reasons ready (see the triggers above).
3. They'll either schedule the assessment directly or refer you back to ACAT.
4. An assessor will visit (usually in your home, sometimes via video call) within 6–12 weeks.

What evidence helps

Reassessors look at:

• GP letters describing changes in your condition or medication
• Hospital discharge summaries from recent admissions
• Allied-health reports (physio, OT, podiatrist) describing functional decline
• Carer statements describing what you can and can't do day-to-day
• Your provider's care notes — providers can write a supporting letter

You don't have to gather all of this — but the more documented evidence you provide, the smoother the assessment goes.

Wayly's Reassessment Letter Generator drafts the formal request letter to My Aged Care or your provider, listing the evidence and explaining the changes in your situation.

What happens during the assessment

The assessor (usually a registered nurse, social worker, or allied-health professional) will:

• Ask about your medical conditions, medications, and daily routine
• Watch you do everyday tasks (walking, standing, getting in and out of a chair)
• Ask about your cognitive function, mood and social isolation
• Confirm details about your current carers and support network
• Discuss your goals — do you want to stay home, or are you considering residential care?

The assessment usually takes 60–90 minutes. Have a family member present if possible — assessors take their observations seriously.

How long until you find out

• Decision letter: 4–6 weeks after the assessment
• New classification applied to your budget: from the start of the next quarter
• Provider notification: automatic — Services Australia tells them

If you disagree with the decision, you can request a review within 13 weeks of receiving the letter. OPAN (1800 700 600) can help you draft the review request.

Common reasons reassessments get delayed

• Missing documents — the assessor wants more medical evidence
• Hospital admission during the process — they'll re-schedule for after discharge
• Cognitive assessment needs a specialist — adds 4–8 weeks for the specialist appointment
• Provider hasn't supplied care notes — chase them; they're obliged to assist

Edge cases

Can I ask for a reassessment more than once a year?

Yes, if your circumstances have materially changed since the last one. The system isn't designed to be gamed, but genuine deterioration is always grounds for a fresh look.

Can my provider trigger a reassessment instead of me?

Yes. Providers can refer for a reassessment if they observe a change in your needs. If your provider has noticed something, ask them to make the referral — it carries more weight than a self-referral.

What if my classification goes DOWN?

This is rare but possible if your health has genuinely improved. Your budget reduces from the next quarter. You can request a review within 13 weeks.

Will requesting a reassessment trigger a means-test review too?

Not automatically — they're separate processes. But if your circumstances have changed, request both at the same time so they happen together.

Where to verify

• My Aged Care: 1800 200 422 · myagedcare.gov.au
• ACAT — find your local team via My Aged Care
• OPAN for free advocacy: 1800 700 600 · opan.org.au
• Department of Health: health.gov.au/our-work/support-at-home