Understanding ACAT assessment levels is crucial for accessing home care support in Australia. The Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) determines your eligibility for government-funded aged care services, including home care packages. This comprehensive guide explains the four ACAT levels, what each provides, funding amounts, and how to navigate the assessment process in 2025.
What are ACAT Assessment Levels?
ACAT assessment levels refer to the four distinct levels of home care packages available through Australia’s aged care system. These levels are determined by an ACAT assessment (also known as ACAT levels) based on your care needs, from basic support to high-level intensive care.
The ACAT levels explained system works as follows:
- Level 1: Basic care needs
- Level 2: Low-level care needs
- Level 3: Intermediate care needs
- Level 4: High-level care needs
Each level provides different types of support and varying amounts of government funding to help older Australians remain living independently at home.
Understanding ACAT: What is an ACAT Assessment?
An ACAT assessment is a comprehensive evaluation conducted by qualified healthcare professionals to determine your aged care needs. ACAT stands for “Aged Care Assessment Team” and includes professionals such as:
- Registered nurses
- Social workers
- Occupational therapists
- Physiotherapists
- Psychologists
- Geriatricians
Purpose of ACAT Assessment
The ACAT assessment aims to:
- Evaluate your physical, cognitive, and psychosocial needs
- Determine your eligibility for aged care services
- Recommend the appropriate level of home care package
- Identify other support services you may need
- Ensure you receive the right level of care
The Four Home Care Package Levels Explained
Level 1 Home Care Package: Basic Support Needs
What is a Level 1 home care package? This entry-level package is designed for people with basic care needs who require some support to continue living at home safely.
Level 1 Package Details:
- Annual funding: $9,304 (2024-25 rates)
- Target group: People with basic support needs
- Typical duration: 6-12 months
Common Level 1 Services:
- Basic personal care assistance (showering, grooming)
- Light housekeeping and cleaning
- Shopping and meal preparation
- Transport to appointments
- Social support and companionship
- Basic nursing care
- Equipment hire (walking frames, shower chairs)
Who qualifies for Level 1? People who:
- Need minimal assistance with daily activities
- Are at low risk of harm or hospitalization
- Require occasional support rather than daily care
- Want to maintain independence with minimal intervention
Level 2 Home Care Package: Low-Level Care Needs
Home care package level 2 provides more comprehensive support for people with low to moderate care needs.
Level 2 Package Details:
- Annual funding: $17,417 (2024-25 rates)
- Target group: People with low-level care needs
- Typical duration: 12-24 months
Common Level 2 Services:
- Regular personal care (daily or several times per week)
- Domestic assistance and home maintenance
- Meal preparation and delivery services
- Allied health services (physiotherapy, occupational therapy)
- Nursing care and medication management
- Equipment and home modifications
- Respite care for family carers
- Transport services
Who qualifies for Level 2? People who:
- Need regular assistance with personal care
- Require support with household tasks
- Have some health conditions requiring monitoring
- Need Allied health interventions
- Are at moderate risk without support
Level 3 Home Care Package: Intermediate Care Needs
Level 3 home care packages offer substantial support for people with intermediate to high care needs.
Level 3 Package Details:
- Annual funding: $34,919 (2024-25 rates)
- Target group: People with intermediate care needs
- Typical duration: Often ongoing, reviewed annually
How much is a Level 3 aged care package worth? At $34,919 annually, Level 3 packages provide significant funding for comprehensive care services.
Common Level 3 Services:
- Intensive personal care (multiple times daily)
- Complex nursing care and wound management
- Specialized Allied health services
- Dementia care and behavioral support
- Major home modifications and equipment
- 24/7 emergency response systems
- Extensive domestic and garden maintenance
- Frequent respite care
- Nutritional support and meal services
Who qualifies for Level 3? People who:
- Have complex health conditions requiring intensive support
- Need substantial assistance with most daily activities
- Are at high risk of hospitalization without support
- Require specialized care (dementia, chronic conditions)
- Need regular nursing interventions
Level 4 Home Care Package: High-Level Care Needs
Level 4 home care packages provide the highest level of support available in the home setting, equivalent to entry-level residential care.
Level 4 Package Details:
- Annual funding: $58,355 (2024-25 rates)
- Target group: People with high-level care needs
- Typical duration: Ongoing until residential care or end of life
My aged care Level 4 package amount represents the maximum government funding available for home-based care.
Common Level 4 Services:
- Round-the-clock care availability
- Complex medical and nursing care
- Specialized dementia care
- Palliative and end-of-life care
- Extensive personal care (multiple times daily)
- Major home modifications for accessibility
- Specialized equipment and technology
- Intensive Allied health services
- 24/7 monitoring and emergency response
- Comprehensive meal and nutrition services
Who qualifies for Level 4? People who:
- Have very high care needs requiring constant support
- Would otherwise need residential care
- Have complex medical conditions
- Require specialized nursing care
- Need extensive assistance with all daily activities
- Are at very high risk without comprehensive support
ACAT Assessment Process: How Long Does it Take?
Initial Contact and Referral
How long does it take to get an ACAT assessment? The process typically follows this timeline:
- Referral: 1-7 days
- Initial contact: 2-5 days after referral
- Assessment scheduling: 1-4 weeks
- Assessment completion: 2-4 hours
- Results: 5-10 business days
Assessment Timeline by Region
How long does an ACAT assessment take varies by location:
- Metropolitan areas: 2-4 weeks from referral
- Regional areas: 3-6 weeks from referral
- Remote areas: 4-8 weeks from referral
- Urgent assessments: 2-5 days (if immediate risk)
What Affects Assessment Speed?
Factors influencing how long does it take for an ACAT assessment:
- Local ACAT availability and capacity
- Complexity of your needs
- Availability of required documentation
- Geographic location
- Urgency of situation
- Hospital discharge requirements
ACAT Packages vs Home Care Package Levels
Many people ask about the difference between ACAT levels and home care package levels. Here’s the clarification:
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ACAT Assessment Levels | The evaluation process that determines your care needs |
| Home Care Package Levels | The actual packages (1-4) you receive based on ACAT assessment |
| ACAT Levels | Often used interchangeably with home care package levels |
The ACAT assessment determines which home care package level you’re eligible for.
Home Care Package Fees and Costs
Basic Daily Fee
All package recipients pay a basic daily fee:
- 2024-25 rate: $10.69 per day ($3,901.85 annually)
- This fee applies to all levels (1-4)
- It’s indexed annually
Income-Tested Care Fee
Higher-income earners may pay additional fees:
- Based on your income and assets assessment
- Ranges from $0 to maximum annual cap
- Calculated by Services Australia
What You Pay vs Government Contribution
Example for Level 3 Package:
- Total package value: $34,919
- Less: Basic daily fee: $3,902
- Less: Income-tested fee: (varies by income)
- Your available funding: Remainder for services
Eligibility Requirements for ACAT Assessment
Age Requirements
- Generally 65 years or older
- 50 years or older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- Younger people with specific conditions (early-onset dementia, etc.)
Residency Requirements
- Australian citizen or permanent resident
- Living in Australia
- Not receiving equivalent services through other programs
Care Needs Criteria
You must demonstrate:
- Need for assistance with daily activities
- Risk to safety or wellbeing without support
- Preference to remain living at home
- Inability to meet needs through other services
How to Apply for ACAT Assessment
Step 1: Contact My Aged Care
- Phone: 1800 200 422
- Online: myagedcare.gov.au
- In person: Visit a service provider
Step 2: Initial Screening
- Basic information about your needs
- Preliminary eligibility check
- Referral to local ACAT team
Step 3: ACAT Contact
- ACAT coordinator will contact you
- Schedule assessment appointment
- Provide pre-assessment information
Step 4: Prepare for Assessment
Gather relevant documents:
- Medicare card and identification
- Medical reports and medication lists
- Details of current support services
- Information about your home environment
What to Expect During ACAT Assessment
Assessment Components
Physical Assessment:
- Mobility and balance
- Strength and coordination
- Vision and hearing
- Cognitive function
Functional Assessment:
- Activities of daily living (bathing, dressing, eating)
- Instrumental activities (cooking, cleaning, managing finances)
- Medication management
- Safety awareness
Psychosocial Assessment:
- Mental health and mood
- Social connections and support
- Cultural and language needs
- Preferences and goals
Assessment Location
ACAT assessments can occur:
- In your home (most common)
- In hospital (for discharge planning)
- At ACAT office (if preferred)
- Via telehealth (in limited circumstances)
After Your ACAT Assessment
Assessment Outcomes
ACAT assessments can result in:
- Approval for specific home care package level
- Referral to other aged care services
- Recommendation for additional assessments
- Advice about other support options
The Waiting List
After approval, you may:
- Join the national prioritization queue
- Receive interim services while waiting
- Be contacted when a package becomes available
- Choose your preferred provider
Waiting Times by Level
Average waiting times (as of 2024):
- Level 1: 3-6 months
- Level 2: 6-12 months
- Level 3: 12-18 months
- Level 4: 12-24 months
Tips for a Successful ACAT Assessment
Before the Assessment
- Be honest about your needs and challenges
- Document daily difficulties you experience
- Prepare examples of how your conditions affect you
- Have support person present if helpful
During the Assessment
- Provide detailed information about your daily life
- Don’t downplay difficulties or try to appear more capable
- Ask questions about the process and outcomes
- Discuss your preferences for care and support
After the Assessment
- Follow up if you don’t hear back within 10 days
- Appeal if necessary if you disagree with the outcome
- Prepare for package implementation if approved
Common ACAT Assessment Questions
Functional Questions
- How do you manage personal hygiene?
- What difficulties do you have with mobility?
- How do you prepare meals and eat?
- Can you manage household tasks?
- How do you handle medications?
Safety Questions
- Have you had any falls recently?
- Do you feel safe living alone?
- Can you respond to emergencies?
- Are there safety hazards in your home?
Support Questions
- What family or informal support do you have?
- What services are you currently using?
- What would help you most to stay at home?
- What are your preferences for care?
Appealing ACAT Assessment Decisions
Grounds for Appeal
You can appeal if:
- You disagree with the assessed level
- You believe errors were made in assessment
- Your circumstances have significantly changed
- You feel the assessment was unfair or incomplete
Appeal Process
- Internal review: Contact ACAT within 28 days
- External review: Apply to Aged Care Assessment Appeals Panel
- Administrative review: Through Administrative Appeals Tribunal
Supporting Your Appeal
- Gather additional medical evidence
- Document changes in circumstances
- Seek support from healthcare professionals
- Consider getting an independent assessment
Planning for Care After ACAT Assessment
Choosing a Provider
Once approved, you can:
- Research different home care providers
- Compare services and approaches
- Interview potential providers
- Choose based on your preferences and needs
Service Planning
Work with your provider to:
- Develop a care plan
- Set goals and priorities
- Schedule regular services
- Plan for changing needs
Regular Reviews
Your needs will be reviewed:
- Annually by your provider
- When circumstances change significantly
- When you request additional services
- If hospitalized or health deteriorates
Future Changes to ACAT and Home Care
Support at Home Program
From July 2025, a new Support at Home program will replace current home care packages:
- Streamlined assessment process
- More flexible funding arrangements
- Enhanced choice and control
- Improved service integration
What This Means for ACAT
- ACAT assessments will continue but may be modified
- Focus on comprehensive needs assessment
- Integration with other health services
- Enhanced digital platforms
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Level 2 home care package provide?
A Level 2 home care package value is $17,417 annually (2024-25 rates). After deducting the basic daily fee of $3,902, you have approximately $13,515 available for care services.
What can I spend my home care package on?
What can I buy with my home care package includes personal care, domestic assistance, nursing care, Allied health services, equipment, home modifications, and transport. Services must be related to your assessed needs and goals.
Can home care package funds roll over?
Do home care packages roll over? No, unused funds from one financial year don’t automatically carry forward. However, providers can help you plan to use funds effectively, and some circumstances allow for fund retention.
What’s the difference between CHSP and home care packages?
What is the difference between chsp and home care packages? The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) provides entry-level services without assessment, while home care packages require ACAT assessment and provide higher levels of funding and more comprehensive services.
How long does ACAT assessment take to complete?
How long does an ACAT assessment take to complete is typically 2-4 hours, including discussion, functional assessment, and planning. Simple assessments may take less time, while complex situations may require follow-up visits.
Can I get urgent ACAT assessment?
Urgent ACAT assessment is available for people at immediate risk, those being discharged from hospital, or in crisis situations. Contact My Aged Care and explain the urgency of your situation.
Conclusion
Understanding ACAT assessment levels is essential for accessing appropriate aged care support in Australia. Whether you need basic assistance (Level 1) or comprehensive care (Level 4), the ACAT assessment process ensures you receive services matched to your needs.
The key to a successful assessment is being honest about your daily challenges and care requirements. With proper preparation and understanding of the process, you can navigate the system effectively and access the support needed to continue living independently at home.
For more information about ACAT assessments and home care packages, visit myagedcare.gov.au or call 1800 200 422 to speak with an aged care specialist who can guide you through the process.