Aged Care Providers – New Single Assessment System Now in Effect
- Date of Change:
- 09 December 2024
- Takes Effect:
- 09 December 2024
What’s Happened?
On 9 December 2024, the new Single Assessment System workforce was introduced, replacing the Regional Assessment Service (RAS), Aged Care Assessment Teams (ACATs), and independent Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) assessors.
The system provides a single pathway for all aged care needs assessments, covering:
- Home support assessments for the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP).
- Comprehensive assessments for Home Care Packages, flexible aged care programs, residential respite, and entry into residential aged care.
- Triage Delegates now ensure assessments are tailored to an older person’s level of need, reducing over-assessments and improving access for those with complex needs.
Key improvements include:
- Simplified navigation for older people and families.
- Consistent access to assessments in regional, remote, and rural areas.
- Gradually reduced wait times for assessments.
- State and territory governments continue to conduct hospital-based assessments, and there are no changes to aged care eligibility requirements or referral processes. A complete list of assessment providers by state, territory, and region is available here – Single Assessment System assessment organisations by service area, region, state and territory | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care
Why is this Important?
- This change addresses Recommendation 28 of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, simplifying the assessment process for older Australians and their families.
- Providers should familiarise themselves with the list of approved providers to ensure smooth transitions for clients and compliance with the updated referral and assessment processes. The system is designed to be flexible, supporting individuals as their needs evolve, without requiring a change in assessment provider.
- Additionally, please note that the First Nations assessment organisations will be rolled out from 1 July 2025, providing culturally safe pathways for older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to access aged care services.
Sources
- Department of Health and Aged Care: Single Assessment System
- Single Assessment System fact sheets | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care
- Single Assessment System assessment organisations by service area, region, state and territory | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care