The New My Aged Care Single Assessment System (SAS) Explained Simply

If you are helping your family navigate My Aged Care, one of the most important things you need to understand is the Single Assessment System (SAS).

Introduced following recommendations from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, and fully operational from December 2024, the SAS has officially replaced the old RAS (Regional Assessment Service) and ACAT (Aged Care Assessment Team) pathways.

But what does that actually mean for your mum or dad? And more importantly, how do you get them the help they need?

Here is a plain-English guide to how the Single Assessment System works and how to navigate it with confidence.

What is the Single Assessment System (SAS)?

The Australian Government has created one single assessment pathway for all government-funded aged care services.

When you contact My Aged Care, your parent is referred into this single system. The assessor can determine eligibility across the full range of aged care services in one go—from basic home help right through to residential aged care.

The "One Front Door" Approach

When I'm speaking with daughters who are feeling overwhelmed by the terminology, I explain it like this:

The system has one front door. Everyone enters aged care through the exact same pathway. The assessor looks at your parent's current needs and helps them access the right level of support now, while also making it much easier to adjust services if their needs change in the future. You don't have to figure out which "level" of assessment they need—the system does that for you.

How the Assessment Process Works (The 4 Steps)

Step 1: Contact My Aged Care

The starting point is simple. You (as their representative), your parent, or a health professional contacts My Aged Care via phone or their online portal to request an assessment.

Step 2: Initial Screening and Triage

A triage process determines the urgency, risks, and complexity of your parent's needs. The government has introduced dedicated "Triage Delegates" to ensure people are directed appropriately from the very beginning.

Step 3: The Assessment

An assessor visits your parent (usually at their home). They use the new Integrated Assessment Tool (IAT), which considers:

• Health conditions and medical history
• Mobility and falls risk
• Memory and cognition
• Daily living activities (showering, cooking, cleaning)
• Safety risks in the home
• Carer support (how much you are currently doing)
• Social connections and personal goals

Step 4: Recommendations

Based on the assessment, the assessor determines eligibility for services such as the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP), Home Care Packages (now transitioning to Support at Home), Residential Aged Care, or Respite Care.

Why This System Works for Families

• Less Repetition: You only need to explain your parent's circumstances once to a single assessment team.
• One Consistent Pathway: The system can easily follow your parent as their care needs increase over time.
• Accurate Matching of Services: The Integrated Assessment Tool gathers detailed information to help recommend the most appropriate services from the start.
• Faster Access: The streamlined process is designed to reduce waiting times and simplify access to care.

Understanding Eligibility (This is Crucial)

While the assessment process is streamlined, there are still strict eligibility rules in place.

Your parent must meet age requirements, demonstrate genuine care needs, and be formally assessed as requiring support. The system is designed to assess how much help they need, but they must still qualify for government-funded assistance.

A Final Word

The Single Assessment System is designed to reduce the bureaucratic maze and stop families from having to repeat exhausting stories to multiple different departments.

But remember: while the assessment pathway is straightforward, navigating the actual services available after the assessment can still feel overwhelming. Your role as an advocate is just as important as ever. Help them prepare, ensure their needs are accurately represented, and don't be afraid to ask questions.

You don't have to have all the answers today. Just focus on opening that one front door.

With love and understanding,
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