ACAT Assessment Level Quiz
Answer 8 questions about your care needs to estimate which Home Care Package level you may qualify for. Takes less than 3 minutes.
Are you 65 years or older? (Or 50+ for Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander)
Home Care Packages are for people 65+ (or 50+ for Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander Australians).
Disclaimer: This quiz provides an estimate only. Your actual Home Care Package level is determined by an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) through a formal assessment. Contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 to arrange an assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions
ACAT assessment levels determine which Home Care Package you qualify for:
- Level 1 - Basic care needs: $10,588/year (~2-3 hours/week). For people who need minimal assistance with household tasks.
- Level 2 - Low-level care needs: $18,622/year (~4-5 hours/week). For people needing help with some daily tasks like cleaning, shopping, and transport.
- Level 3 - Intermediate care needs: $40,675/year (~10-12 hours/week). For people needing regular help with personal care, mobility, or health management.
- Level 4 - High-level care needs: $61,826/year (~15-20 hours/week). For people with complex care needs requiring daily assistance.
An ACAT assessment (Aged Care Assessment Team) is a free government assessment to determine your eligibility for aged care services.
During the assessment, a trained assessor will:
- Visit you at home (usually takes 1-2 hours)
- Ask about your health conditions and medications
- Observe how you manage daily activities
- Discuss your care needs and goals
- Determine which services you're eligible for
To arrange an ACAT assessment, call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422.
To prepare for your ACAT assessment:
- Have documents ready: Medicare card, pension card, list of medications
- List your daily challenges: Write down what you struggle with - be honest about your worst days
- Have someone with you: A family member or friend can help explain your needs
- Don't tidy up too much: The assessor needs to see your real living situation
- Prepare questions: Ask about wait times, what's included, and next steps
Tip: Focus on what you CAN'T do, not what you can manage on a good day.
The main differences between Level 2 and Level 3 Home Care Packages:
| Level 2 | Level 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual budget | $18,622 | $40,675 |
| Approx. hours/week | 4-5 hours | 10-12 hours |
| Care needs | Low-level | Intermediate |
| Typical services | Cleaning, shopping, transport | Personal care, nursing, allied health |
Level 3 is appropriate if you need regular hands-on personal care, have chronic health conditions requiring monitoring, or need more intensive support.
The assessment itself: Usually 1-2 hours in your home
Getting results: Typically 2-4 weeks after the assessment
Getting a package: After approval, you'll be placed in the national queue. Wait times vary:
- Level 1-2: Usually 1-3 months
- Level 3-4: Can be 6-12+ months
If you have urgent needs, ask about interim CHSP (Commonwealth Home Support Programme) services while you wait.