Regional Assessment Service (RAS)

The Regional Assessment Centre (RAS) conducts home support assessments for people over 65 years of age who live at home and are seeking care support. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can access the service from 50 years of age.

The Regional Assessment Centre operates within the My Aged Care online system to record assessments and submit referrals to relevant service providers. The service also organises ongoing support for clients requesting additional support via the My Aged Care support plan review process.

There are a number of ways to get a RAS assessment to facilitate access to home care support, including:

• Contact the My Aged Care call centre on 1800 200 422 to register yourself and answer some initial questions.
• Visit your GP and they can register you with My Aged Care using a web referral.
• Refer yourself online via the My Aged Care website where you will answer a series of questions - https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/self-service.

Please note: If you have previously registered with My Aged Care, you cannot use the online form and will need to call My Aged Care.

If you are a GP you must continue to use the Make a referral form, GP e-referral, phone or fax.

If you are seeking additional support you can phone My Aged Care to request a review of your care support, also known as a support plan review.

Inclusion Criteria

• To be eligible for the Regional Assessment Service you must be identified as having entry level care support needs.

Exclusion Criteria

• Residents of a group home or residential aged care facility are not eligible for assessment and referral for services.

• Clients who are medically unstable.

• RAS is not able to assess clients who are in hospital. When the client is discharged from hospital they can be assessed by RAS
• Clients with a history of violent behaviour which would put RAS staff and service provider workers at risk in their home.
• Clients unable to manage at home. If a client is not able to manage at home, they will be referred for an ACAT assessment, which might make them eligible for a Home Care Package and/or residential aged care support

All clients are assessed and referred within two weeks of their referral being received from My Aged Care.

https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/self-service