Aged care steps – moving into an aged care facility

On the phone

Help with the cost of aged care support is provided by the Australian Government but first you or your loved one need to be registered with My Aged Care and answer some questions over the phone ahead of a formal assessment.

You will need Medicare card details, as well as information about you or your loved one’s care needs, details and results of any medical assessments. There will also be questions about managing at home with daily tasks such as showering, cooking, shopping and cleaning.

Good to know: Family members, friends or carers are welcome to be there for the phone call but formal consent must be given for a family member to act as a representative.

At home or hospital

If eligible, a face-to-face assessment will be arranged at home with a member of the Single Assessment Team. In urgent situations, this assessment can be conducted in hospital.

The assessor will visit with a copy of your record and may also ask to speak with other people involved with your care, such as family members or carers. They may also ask permission to talk with GPs and other medical practitioners.

The assessor will bring a copy of your record and may speak with others involved in your care, such as family members or carers. With your permission, they may also contact your GP or other healthcare professionals.

During the assessment, they’ll ask about:

• Current health concerns
• Existing support and future care needs
• How daily tasks are managed at home (e.g. showering, cooking, cleaning)
• Any memory or cognitive issues

Following the assessment, you’ll receive an assessment result. If eligible for services, you’ll be provided with a support plan outlining the services available to you.

If you identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person, you can choose to be assessed by a First Nations assessment organisation during registration or when speaking with an assessor.

Good to know: If you're approved for residential aged care, you’ll receive a confirmation letter. This letter is required when applying for placement in an aged care home. BlueCare is available to support you at any stage of the process and help you of finding an aged care home that suits your needs.

To receive financial support for aged care, you’ll need to provide your income and asset details to Services Australia.

• Self-funded retirees can complete the Residential Aged Care Calculation of your cost of care form (SA457).
• Pension recipients should check the Income and Means Assessments page on My Aged Care to find the right form.

The government contributes to aged care costs, but you may be required to pay a portion based on your financial situation. There are caps in place to limit how much you can be charged over time.

Good to know: Submit your assessment forms early – it can take several weeks to process. You can request an assessment before starting care.

The government covers most aged care costs, whether at home or in a residential home. However, if you're able to contribute, you'll be expected to do so based on your income and assets.

There are three main cost components:

• Basic Daily Fee – covers meals, laundry, cleaning, heating and cooling
• Accommodation Fee – for your room and living space
• Means-Tested Fee – based on your financial situation, for everyday living and healthcare costs

We’ve outlined all the details in our guide to funding your aged care, including individual pricing for each BlueCare home.

Good to know: Make sure you understand the costs before signing any agreements. What you or your loved one pays will depend on personal financial circumstances.

The Find a provider tool on the My Aged Care website allows you to compare aged care services across Australia. You can view details about each provider’s services, pricing, and compliance history. The tool also includes Star Ratings for residential aged care homes, giving insight into resident satisfaction, food quality, staffing levels, and financial and operational transparency.

Naturally, you’ll want to learn as much as possible about a potential aged care home for yourself or a loved one. One of the best ways to do this is by booking a tour, if available. You can also explore BlueCare’s aged care homes by searching for a location on our website.

Visiting a home and learning about its facilities, support services, and activities can be reassuring – and aged care homes are often places where new friendships begin.

Good to know: We offer a guide to help you choose the right provider, including tips on what to look for and questions to ask, so you can make informed decisions with confidence.

You’re welcome to apply to as many aged care homes as you wish. If you're applying from hospital, you may be encouraged to submit multiple applications and accept the first available placement to help free up your hospital bed.

To apply for a BlueCare aged care home, simply call our friendly customer service team on 1800 838 929. We’ll guide you through the process step by step and can complete the application over the phone for one or more homes. As soon as a vacancy becomes available, we’ll contact you. If there’s a waiting list, we’ll stay in touch regularly to check if your circumstances have changed.

In some cases, you may be offered a place in your second or third preferred home while waiting for your first choice to become available.

When a room is offered, you’ll receive a formal offer through the Permanent Residential Accommodation and Service Agreement.

Good to know: The agreement is a detailed document, so it’s important to take the time to understand your rights and responsibilities before signing. For any legal questions about the contract, it’s best to speak with a qualified legal professional to ensure everything is clear and in your best interest.

Downsizing to aged care is a big step – and a brave one. Moving from a family home to a single room can be emotional and challenging, but it’s also a chance to reflect on cherished memories and prepare for a new chapter.

Bringing along meaningful items, like favourite furnishings or keepsakes, can help ease the transition. Checking out the activities schedule and sending a care package or flowers can also bring comfort and a sense of belonging.

Good to know: Residential care offers the extra support needed to keep doing what matters most. In a safe, welcoming environment, you or your loved one can continue living a full and meaningful life – as a parent, grandparent, friend, or simply yourself.