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How long does an ACAT approval last?
An assessment and approval for care services provided by an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT or ACAS in Victoria) (more information) is only valid for 12 months, and sometimes, depending on the situation, the ACAT may specify a period of less than 12 months.
Reassessment is necessary to make certain that your needs have not changed over the past year and to make sure that you’re approved for the right type of care if your requirements have changed.
If you’re receiving care and support at home, when is reassessment necessary?
You’ll need to be reassessed if the ACAT approval is limited to a specific period of care and that period expires, or if your care needs change so that the type of care approved is no longer able to meet those needs.
If you’re receiving short-term care, when is reassessment necessary?
Any approval for short-term respite (more information) care is current for 12 months, unless the ACAT specifies a lesser time limit. After this period you’ll need another assessment if you wish to continue receiving respite care. Also, if you’re receiving short-term respite care (more information) in an aged care home, you’ll need to be reassessed to live in the aged care home permanently.
If you’re receiving care on a permanent basis in an aged care home, when is reassessment necessary?
You’ll need to be reassessed if your care needs change and you need to move from low-level care (more information) to high-level care (more information) unless you have been in an aged care home for a while – in this case the aged care home will assess your needs themselves.
Please note that an aged care home can only assess your needs if you are going to be receiving the new level of care in that same home. If you are moving from a low-level care home to a different high-level care home, then an ACAT assessment will be necessary.
Who else can request a person be reassessed?
People who run aged care homes can ask for a person in their care to be reassessed if they believe:
- the ACAT assessment is incorrect, or
- your care needs changed and you need to move from low-level care to a high-level care home.
