Steps to Move into Residential Aged Care

Deciding to move into an aged care facility can be a difficult decision, particularly if it comes at a time when you’re feeling unwell or are in hospital.

Discussing your preferences for aged care accommodation with your family and friends can help you consider all of your options and make the best choice.

Step 1. Register with My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 (Have your Medicare card ready)

Step 2. Complete your ACAT assessment

Step 3. Submit your Aged Care Calculation of Your Cost of Care (permanent care only)

Step 4. Book a tour at your chosen Ozcare facility

Step 5. Complete your Application Pack (available from the facility)

Step 6. Submit your Pre-admission Pack

Step 7. Move in

My Aged Care &
ACAT Assessment

Once you have decided to move into residential aged care (for permanent care, residential respite or dementia aged care), you will need to register with My Aged Care and be assessed by the Australian Government’s Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT). ACAT will:

  • Ask questions about your day-to-day living activities and if you need help with them
  • Talk to you about your general state of health and specific health conditions. This will help them work out what type of help you need, and how much
  • Get an understanding of whether you need more support so you can keep living in your own home, or if they think you might be better supported in an aged care home
  • Give you information about nursing homes in your area
  • Provide information about residential respite care if it’s relevant to your needs
  • Answer any questions you have about different types of aged care accommodation

After your assessment, you will receive a letter with the outcome of your assessment, including the services you are approved to receive and the reasons why.

If you are unhappy with the result, you can ask ACAT to review their decision. The letter will include instructions on how to do this.

ACAT assessments are free, and are available all over Australia. Call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 to register and find your local ACAT.

Prepare for your ACAT Assessment

Aged Care Calculation of
Your Cost of Care

Use the Aged Care Calculation of Your Cost of Care to provide Services Australia with your income and asset details. Services Australia will use these details to tell you how much you need to pay for aged care.

Please be assured that you will never be denied care because you can’t afford it.  The government also sets maximum amounts on what aged care providers can charge.

Costs and Fees

Choosing Aged Care Providers

Once you have received your letter of approval from ACAT, you can start to look for a suitable aged care home. Just as you would when buying or renting a house, you can view a range of aged care accommodation and get a feel for the atmosphere, rooms, and services by taking a tour.

It’s a good idea to take your ACAT letter with you so the aged care provider can understand the services you will need. They will be able to tell you whether they have any aged care vacancies or how many people are on the waiting list.

Single rooms are the most popular and sometimes have longer waiting lists than shared rooms. If you need to move in urgently, it’s sometimes possible for you to take a shared room and move into a single room when one becomes available.

Some questions that you might like to ask on your tour include:

  • What rooms do you have available and what are the waiting times? Is it possible to move into a shared room and move to a single room when one becomes available?
  • Can I see your activities calendar?
  • When can I receive visitors? Can they stay overnight if needed?
  • What training do care staff have?
  • Can you meet any special needs that I have? (eg. religious observances or complex nursing needs)
  • What are the meal arrangements? Can I see a sample menu?
  • How many staff provide care overnight?
  • What transport can I access to visit local shops?
  • What other services do you have available, such as physiotherapists? Are there any additional charges for these services?

The cost of your room and care will depend on the room that you choose, as well as the result of your assets and income assessment. Read more about fees and charges for residential aged care.

When you have a short list of aged care facilities that you would like to move into, you can start applying to them.

Aged care organisations will have their own application process, but they will be very similar. You will be asked to provide your personal details, care needs, medical details, and financial information, usually by filling out a form.

Once you have submitted your form, the aged care home will review your application and ensure they are able to provide the care you need. You will be contacted once the room you have chosen becomes available and you can then make plans to move in.

Your care provider will send you a pre-admission pack with your client agreement, items to bring, and forms to fill in before your first day. Read more about what to expect when moving into residential aged care.

Further Reading

You can find out more about moving into an aged care home by visiting My Aged Care.

How To Apply

Once you have received your ACAT approval call us on 1800 Ozcare (1800 692 273) to speak to your nearest facility. We will discuss your needs and confirm the aged care vacancies we have available.

You will need to complete the Ozcare residential care application pack, which is available from our aged care facilities.

Call 1800 692 273

Aged Care Facility LocationsYellow Divider

Gold Coast Aged Care Facilities

Ozanam
Villa

20 Matilda Street, Burleigh Heads

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Parkwood
Gardens

100 Usher Avenue, Labrador

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Keith Turnbull
Place

52 Imperial Parade, Labrador

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De Paul
Villa

27 Edmund Rice Dr, Southport

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Toowoomba Aged Care Facilities

Ozcare Toowoomba

631-651 Greenwattle Street, Glenvale

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Brisbane Aged Care Facilities

Palm Lodge

424 Bowen Terrace, New Farm

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Ozanam Villa

153 King Street, Clontarf

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Bakhita Villa

169 Seventeen Mile Rocks Road, Oxley

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Sunshine Coast Aged Care Facilities

Caroline Chisholm

28 Saffron Drive, Currimundi

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Ozcare Noosa Heads

80 Cooyar Street, Noosa Heads

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Wide Bay Aged Care Facilities

Ozcare Hervey Bay

35 Davis Drive, Kawungan

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Mackay & Sarina Aged Care Facilities

St Elizabeth Villa

15 Charlotte Street, West Mackay

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Sarina Aged Care

18-32 Hoey St, Sarina

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Townsville & Ingham Aged Care Facilities

Villa Vincent

2 Acacia Street, Mundingburra

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Magdalene Villa

9 Stone River Road, Trebonne

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North Queensland Aged Care Facilities

Ozcare Innisfail

Warrina Street, Innisfail

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Ozcare Malanda

5183 Turnbull Road, Malanda

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Ozcare Port Douglas

Martin Scullet Drive, Port Douglas

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Care OptionsYellow Divider

We are focused on ensuring we deliver outstanding quality of care by listening to you and your family to design your care around your personal needs and preferences.

Permanent Care

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Residential Respite Care

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Dementia Friendly Aged Care

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Accommodation for Couples

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How to ApplyYellow Divider

Find out more about the steps you need to take to move in with Ozcare and what you can expect from your new home.

Application Process

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What to Expect

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