The home care application process

Step 1 – Think about the help do you need at home

Start thinking about your needs at home, and how you’ll cope in one year, three years and five years. Think about what sort of help you may like to live comfortably at home as you get older.

Step 2 – ACAT assessment and application 

Begin the application process by calling to arrange your ACAT Assessment. The ACAT Assessment is conducted by My Aged Care and this interview determines the level of home care package you receive. You can arrange the assessment in two ways:

1. Call My Aged Care directly on 1800 200 422. If St Louis is your preferred provider, it is a good idea to let them know at this point as when your package is allocated, we will be notified and can start working on your home support plan. 

1. Call St Louis on 08 8552 1481 and we can request the assessment on your behalf and help you through the application process. Once the home care package application has been submitted and you’re in the queue, we can support you with private care services if you need them.

Step 3 – Prepare for the ACAT Assessment

Before your appointment, it’s a good idea to think about what sort of help you’ll need at home so that you’re allocated the right level of package.

Home care packages are allocated depending on how much help you need:

Level 1 - Basic care needs, approximately 2 hours per week 

Level 2 - Low care needs – approximately 3-4 hours per week

Level 3 - Intermediate care needs – approximately 7-9 hours per week

Level 4 - High care needs – approximately 10-13 hours per week

We’re here to help, so if you want to find out more about how to prepare for the meeting and what happens during an ACAT Assessment, call us on 08 8552 1481.

Step 4 – Assessment letter from My Aged Care

My Aged Care will send you a letter following your assessment which tells you whether you are eligible for home care and if so, what level of package you’ve been approved for.

You will be placed in a national queue to be allocated the next available home care package at the level you’re approved for. This can take up to 12 months.

Call St Louis home care on 08 8552 1481 to make sure you’re sending in the right paperwork. We can also arrange some additional care while you wait for your home care package.

Step 5 – Home care package allocation

You’ll receive a letter from My Aged care notifying you about your home care package and the level approved.

You have 56 days from the date of this letter to accept the home care package by contacting My Aged Care, otherwise you will have to start the assessment process again. You can request a 28 day extension, phone St Louis and we can arrange the extension on your behalf.

Step 6 – Create your home support plan and start delivering your services

Once your home care package has been allocated, our home care coordinators develop a home support plan in partnership with you. We find out about your lifestyle needs and ask you questions such as:

• What support do you need to feel comfortable and safe at home?
• What sort of things do you enjoy doing?
• Where do you want some help at home?
• How and when would you like your services to be delivered?
• What makes you look forward to getting older and how can we support you to look forward to the future?

Once you’re happy with your care plan, we then begin delivering your home care services.

Privately funded home care services

If you’re not eligible for a home care package, you can still access St Louis Home Care services as a privately funded client through St Louis’ Lifestyle Programme.

St Louis’ lifestyles provides support on an as-needs basis. You’re only charged for the services you receive, from simple tasks such as helping with the shopping, cooking, to more complex support such as 24 hour care to keep you living at home.

You don't need an ACAT assessment to receive home care support through St Louis Lifestyles and there are no eligibility criteria or waiting lists. We can start delivering the services you need as soon as you need them.