What does that mean in My Aged Care?

ACAT / ACAS (Aged Care Assessment Team)
An older name for the people who assessed your needs. These have been folded into a single assessment system, so today you'll just hear about "assessment." (See Your My Aged Care assessment - a quickstart guide)

Advocate
Someone who helps you understand your rights and speak up, and who can speak on your behalf. Free, independent advocacy is available through OPAN on 1800 700 600.

Aged Care Act 2024
The law that began on 1 November 2025 and reshaped aged care, including a new Statement of Rights and the Support at Home program.

Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission
The government regulator of aged care. It checks providers against the standards and handles complaints. Phone 1800 951 822.

Assessment
A free conversation, usually in your home, that works out what help you need. There are two types: a home support assessment for lower needs, and a comprehensive assessment for higher needs.

Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM)
A separate pool of funding for equipment (like walking frames or shower chairs) and home changes (like ramps or grab rails).

Basic daily fee
A daily fee everyone pays in a residential aged care home, towards everyday living costs like meals and laundry.

Care management
The coordinating and reviewing of your care by your provider. Under Support at Home it's capped at 10% of your budget.

CHSP (Commonwealth Home Support Programme)
Entry-level help at home, such as cleaning, meals, transport and social support, for people with lower needs.

Classification (Levels 1 to 8)
Your Support at Home funding level. After your assessment you're placed in one of eight levels, and the higher the level, the larger your budget. (See Support at Home: What funding can you get?)

Clinical care
Health and nursing care, such as nursing visits, physiotherapy and podiatry. It's fully funded by the government, so it doesn't cost you anything.

Contribution
The share of a service's cost that you pay, based on your income and assets. Some services are free, others you contribute towards. (See My Aged Care fees and contributions)

DAP (Daily Accommodation Payment)
A way to pay for your room in an aged care home as a daily amount, a bit like rent, instead of a lump sum.

Everyday living services
Practical help such as cleaning, laundry, gardening and meal preparation. These usually carry the highest contribution.

Fee estimator
A tool on the My Aged Care website that gives you a personalised estimate of what you'll pay.

Hotelling contribution
A means-tested fee in residential care towards "hotel-style" running costs like meals, cleaning and laundry. It applies to people who entered care from 1 November 2025.

Independence services
Help that keeps you independent, such as personal care, getting around, transport and social support. These carry a moderate contribution.

Lifetime cap
An overall limit (around $135,000) on what you can be asked to contribute towards your care across your lifetime. Once you reach it, you contribute no more.

Means assessment
A check of your income and assets by Services Australia that decides how much you contribute towards your care and accommodation.

My Aged Care
The Australian Government's front door to aged care. You apply, get assessed and find providers through it. Phone 1800 200 422. (See Where do I even start with My Aged Care?)

Non-clinical care contribution (NCCC)
A means-tested fee in residential care towards personal care such as bathing and mobility support. You only pay it if you're paying the full hotelling contribution.

Notice of Decision
The letter you receive after your assessment. It sets out the services you're approved for, your priority, and your referral code.

Priority category
Where you sit in the queue for Support at Home funding, based on your assessed level of need. People with the most urgent needs are funded first.

Provider
The organisation that delivers your care, whether that's support at home or a residential aged care home.

RAD (Refundable Accommodation Deposit)
A refundable lump sum some people pay for their room in an aged care home, a bit like a bond. (See Moving into an aged care home)

Reassessment
A fresh assessment if your needs change. It can move you to a higher classification with more funding, or a higher priority in the queue.

Referral code
A code in your Notice of Decision that you give to your chosen provider so they can start your services.

Respite
Short-term care that gives a carer a break. It can be in your home, in the community, or as a short stay in an aged care home. (See Help for carers and family in My Aged Care)

Restorative Care Pathway
Short-term, intensive support to help you recover and regain independence after an illness, fall or hospital stay.

Self-management
Choosing to manage your own Support at Home services and budget, with your provider's involvement, rather than having them manage everything.

Services Australia
The government agency that carries out means assessments and pays carer payments. (Often still thought of as Centrelink.)

Statement of Rights
Your legal rights in aged care, covering choice, dignity, respect, safety and the right to speak up. (See Choice, dignity, respect.)

Supporter (or representative)
A trusted person you register to help you make and manage your aged care decisions.

Support at Home
The government program, started in November 2025, that funds help in your own home. It replaced Home Care Packages.

Transitioned Home Care Package
A Home Care Package that someone already had before November 2025, carried over into the new system. (See Already have a Home Care Package?)

Can't find a term? Call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422, or get free help from OPAN on 1800 700 600. This glossary is general information, not personal advice.