Referral Processes Fact Sheet
(Victoria only)
Referring older people to aged care services in Victoria
This fact sheet provides referrers with information to assist in referring older people (aged 65 years and over and 50 years and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) to aged care services in Victoria. These arrangements apply inVictoria only. Health Professionals should refer to the Referral Processes for Health Professionals (Victoria only) Fact Sheet.
Background
On 1July 2016 management of the Victorian Home and Community Care (HACC) program changed. Services for older Victorians are directly funded and managed through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) by the Commonwealth Department of Health.
From 1August 2016, full use of My Aged Care will be implemented in Victoria. This will see assessors and service providers of aged care services utilising the full functionality of the MyAged Care system including receiving and processing referrals for clients seeking aged care assessments and services.
Will referral processes change on 1July 2016?
No. Business as usual arrangements will continue for people seeking services until 1August 2016. To ensure the operational readiness and in the context of significant other activity in the sector, including the implementation of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and the implementation of the CHSP, the transition to using My Aged Care will occur from 1 August 2016.
What referral processes will change from 1August 2016?
Referral processes will change from 1Augustfor:
- new clients and clients whose needs have changed significantly; and
- clients with urgent needs.
This means that clients in receipt of services (prior to 1August 2016) do not need to register with My Aged Care unless their needs or circumstances change significantly.
How do clients access aged care services?
An independent and holistic assessment of an older person’s needs is required prior to the commencement of aged care services.
People seeking access to aged care services for the first time or people whose needs or circumstances have changed significantly will need to contact the My Aged Care contact centre on 1800200422. The contact centre will discuss the client’s needs, raise a client record, and may refer the client for an assessment.
Referrals can also be made via a webform or by faxto the My Aged Care contact centre on 1800728174.
What should service providers do if directly approachedfor services?
Service providers who are approached directly by people seeking Commonwealth-funded aged care services should refer people to My Aged Care and will need to have processes in place to support people to access My Aged Care.
Where can I find more information?
You can find further information about the Victorian HACC transition to My Aged Care on ourVictorian HACC transition webpage. For more information about My Aged Care please visit myagedcare.gov.au.