My Aged Care is the Australian Government's central entry point for older people (aged 65+ or 50+ for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples) to access government-funded aged care services. It provides:
A centralised assessment process
A national referral and service directory
Funding and care coordination for various aged care programs
Older adults (or their representatives) contact My Aged Care via phone or online to begin the process.
See link to access the My Aged Care Australian Government for further information: https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/
Initial Contact: A person or their carer contacts My Aged Care.
Screening: A brief phone-based eligibility screening is completed.
Assessment: An in-person assessment is arranged:
RAS (Regional Assessment Service) for entry-level supports (CHSP)
ACAT (Aged Care Assessment Team) for more complex needs (HCP, residential care)
Service Recommendation: A support plan is created.
Service Provider Engagement: The older adult chooses a provider to deliver the services.
Service Delivery and Review: Care is delivered, monitored, and reviewed.
Entry-level care for those needing short-term or occasional support
Services: domestic help, meals, transport, social activities
Funding is block-funded to providers – not consumer-directed
Ongoing, consumer-directed care funding
Supports people with greater or more complex needs at home
Up to 8 weeks of reablement-focused support to prevent functional decline
For those who cannot live independently
Offers permanent care and respite
Support at Home will replace HCP, STRC and eventually CHSP (in 2027) with a simplified, individualised, and flexible system.
One program with tiered support levels
Consumer choice and transparency
Individual budgets + separate funding for assistive technology and home modifications
Emphasis on reablement, clinical care, and independence
Covers daily support like personal care, domestic help, and allied health
Providers work with the client to plan how to use this budget
Separate, upfront funding for:
Aids/equipment
Home modifications
Three Funding Tiers:
Low: under $500
Mid: up to $2,000
High: up to $15,000
Requires OT or other allied health prescription for most items/modifications
Trial-before-you-buy option
Allows clients to loan equipment before committing to purchase
Conduct functional assessments (ADLs/IADLs including self-care and meal preparation tasks)
Conduct cognitive assessments (MoCA, ACE, RUDAS)
Conduct balance and mobility assessments (BBS, 3MWT, TUG)
Conduct risk of pressure sores assessments (Waterlow)
Identify barriers to independence and participation
Contribute to goal setting and support plans
Assess for environmental risks (falls, accessibility)
Recommend and prescribe structural modifications
Minor: (e.g. (grab rails, ramps, bathroom changes)
Major: (e.g. bathroom changes, flooring, elevators. NOT completed by Rebound; refer on to specialised service)
Liaise with builders and installers
MWP Care: https://mwpcare.com.au/
Baptist Care: https://baptistcare.org.au/
Recommend equipment including the following:
mobility aids e.g. Walking stick, 4ww, transit wheelchairs
adaptive aids e.g. long-handled reachers, button hooker, kettle tipper, weighted cutlery, electric can openers, chair raisers
low-cost equipment e.g. shower chairs/stools, OTA/TS/RTS/TRs, mobile kitchen trolley
mid-cost equipment e.g. electric beds/chairs, pressure mattresses/cushions
falls alarms and other daily living aids
Trial and prescribe equipment within AT-HM funding tiers.
Educate clients and carers on safe and effective use including provision of safety instructions.
Local equipment show rooms including the following:
Short-term programs to build skills and confidence (e.g. community access training, upper limb therapy, cognitive retraining).
Falls prevention, energy conservation, adaptive strategies.
Pressure area care (e.g. prescription of cushions/mattresses, small aids like heel wedges, bed cradles or foot stools, education and assessment).
Work closely with case managers, GPs, family members, and other allied health.
Contribute to multidisciplinary care planning.
📝 OT Documentation & Professional Practice
Follow ethical, client-centred, evidence-based practice.
Use of MAC template on Splose exported as a PDF to create a report to send to Case Manager.
Retrieval of quotes from Equipment Showroom to send to Case Manager.
Additional reports, supporting documentation, and scope of works to be sent to providers e.g. MWP Care, Baptist Care, Stair lift companies, inclusive of AT-HM justifications.
Use validated tools (e.g. assessments listed above).
Ensure informed consent and respect for autonomy.
Always take a client-centred and strengths-based approach when liaising with clients and their families.
If you are unsure about the accuracy of information reported by a client, seek additional advice from a client's informal or formal supports (always gain consent first!)
If you are unsure about what supports are eligible for provision under MAC, check with the client's case manager.
If you are unsure about what supports a client has funding for, check with the client's case manager.
If you are unsure about your recommendations, check with your supervisor.
If you are unsure about what home modifications may be viable or suitable, arrange a joint-site visit with a builder.
If you are unsure about any contrary indications for use of AT, check with the equipment rep e.g. massage function in mechanical beds not suitable for clients with a pacemaker.
Stay up-to-date with changes to aged care reform and OT Australia's guidelines.
Always justify your recommendations in plain language to improve/enhance safety, independence, or quality of life.