If you are a health or aged care professional, you can use the Make a referral tool to refer patients or clients for an aged care assessment. This assessment helps determine eligibility for government-funded aged care services.
You can refer patients or clients for a specific type of care or solely for an assessment.
Who should use Make a referral?
Health and aged care professionals who should use this tool include:
- hospital professionals and administrative staff
- GPs, medical specialists and nurses
- community health professionals
- aged care service providers
- community workers.
GPs and other healthcare providers can also use e-Referrals directly from their practice management systems.
If the patient or client has previously registered with My Aged Care, you can assist them in calling My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 to discuss any changes in circumstances or needs.
Aged care service providers, please call 1800 836 799.
End-of-Life Pathway referrals
The End-of-Life Pathway supports older people who have 3 months or less to live and wish to remain at home, by providing an increase in the level of services available. The eligibility requirements for accessing the End-of-Life Pathway are:
- a doctor or nurse practitioner advising an estimated life expectancy of 3 months or less
- Australian-modified Karnofsky Performance Status score (mobility/frailty indicator) of 40 or less.
If you want to refer someone who meets these requirements for the End-of-Life Pathway, you must first:
- complete and upload the End-of-Life Care Pathway Form
- attach the completed form to this referral application.
You cannot proceed with this referral without doing this step.
Who shouldn't use Make a referral?
Anyone who isn't a health or aged care professional. If you want to request an assessment for the first time for yourself, a family member or a friend, please use Apply Online.
What do I need?
When completing a referral for a patient or client, ensure you have:
- their Medicare or Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) details
- their personal information, including date of birth and contact details
When making a referral for a patient or client, please:
- include all required information and relevant attachments in the correct format
- ensure their name matches their Medicare card
- provide your primary contact details
It is important to provide accurate and complete information to avoid delays. A copy of the referral will be made available to the patient or client.
What happens after a referral?
Once we receive all the necessary information, we send the referral to an aged care assessment organisation. If more information is needed, we may contact you or the patient/client to confirm the details.
An assessor will contact the patient or client to arrange an aged care assessment once the referral is confirmed. The timing for this will vary, as assessments are prioritised based on urgency and individual needs. The patient or client will also receive a My Aged Care Welcome Pack in the mail.
Please ensure that the patient or client is aware that an assessor will contact them.
Learn more about the assessment process.
How can I organise urgent services for a patient or client?
If urgent services are required, and the patient or client is at immediate risk, refer them directly to a service provider. For example, if they need personal care, transport, grocery shopping, or equipment immediately, contact the relevant service provider with the patient’s Aged Care ID via My Aged Care.
Note: Referrals to aged care services should not replace emergency services.