What is an IAT assessment? (and how to get the most out of it)

What is an IAT assessment? | How do I get an IAT assessment? | Getting the most out of your IAT assessment (with example interview)

Updated 9th July 2026 | 6 minute read

By Ashley Tubb Reviewed by Michelle Mitri

Eventually Mum and Dad are going to need some level of support. But how do you even know what that is? Or find that out? For that, you need an IAT assessment.

What is an IAT assessment?

An Integrated Assessment Tool (IAT) assessment is your mandatory official gateway to government-subsidised residential aged care. My Aged Care requires this assessment to independently confirm that your care needs can no longer be safely managed at home and to legally approve you for a subsidised place in a care facility.

During your IAT assessment, your assessor will talk to you about your needs, wishes and preferences. They may ask you about:

Your connection with family and friends

Your spiritual needs
How your memory is
How well you get around the house or outdoors
What your diet is like
Your personal goals for what you would like to do better (or start to do) in your life
What support you already have, and if it will continue

Why you need an IAT assessment

You cannot move into a government-subsidised aged care home without an IAT approval, which includes:

Legal approval: it acts as a legal passport certifying that you meet the clinical criteria for permanent residential aged care or short-term residential respite care.

Funding access: it unlocks government subsidies. Without this approval, you would have to pay the entire, unsubsidised cost of your nursing home out of pocket.

Tailored care planning: it generates an official Support Plan. This plan gives your chosen aged care home an accurate, objective roadmap of your medical and personal needs before you arrive.

How do I get an IAT assessment

Securing an assessment involves a straightforward, three-step process through the Single Assessment System.

Apply for an assessment: visit the My Aged Care website to use their online application tool or call their contact centre directly at 1800 200 422. A doctor, hospital social worker, or family member can also make this referral on your behalf.

Initial screening: My Aged Care will ask basic questions about your health, safety, and current living situation to confirm you need a formal face-to-face assessment.

The in-person visit: a trained assessor from the single national assessment network will book a time to visit you. This usually takes place in your own home, or at the hospital if you are currently admitted.

What you will be assessed for

The IAT uses a structured, digital framework to look at your life holistically. The assessor is evaluating your overall frailty and tracking exactly where you need physical or cognitive assistance.

Daily Living Activities: Your ability to manage everyday tasks safely, including showering, dressing, eating, moving around the house, and using the toilet.

Cognitive and Mental Health: Your memory, orientation, decision-making capabilities, and whether conditions like dementia or depression are impacting your safety.

Medical and Complex Health Needs: Chronic medical conditions, medication management, wound care requirements, or ongoing pain that requires professional nursing supervision.

Current Support and Safety: The suitability of your current housing, potential fall risks, and whether your family or current caregivers are burning out or unable to cope with your rising needs.

illustration of a man holding a passport

Getting the most out of your IAT assessment

1. Make sure you and your family are on the same page

Talking with family about getting an assessment can be difficult, but it’s also important. Consider the following when having this discussion:

IAT assessments aren’t scary at all and often only take an hour

If, as a relative, you’re not coping with your parent’s care, be direct and honest about it

Agree and work as a team to get the best outcome in the assessment by being clear and honest with each other about where you’re at and how you’re feeling

2. Prepare for the assessment in advance

The next part of the process is to prepare for the day of the assessment itself:

You can bring along anyone you like to the assessment, including friends and family

Make sure you have your Medicare card and a form of photo ID (such as a drivers license or passport), any referrals from your doctor, contact details of your GP or other health professionals, information on any support you receive and any information you already have about aged care services that you may want to discuss.

Write down a list of questions that you want to ask so you don’t forget them on the day. These questions could include:

What services can I use that will help me reach my goals?

How can my carer be supported too?

What are the wait times on services?

What happens if my health or circumstances change?

How can I contact the assessor if I have any questions after the assessment?

3. Be upfront and completely honest with the assessment team

Downplaying problems helps no one. It’s important to make sure that you and your family are open and honest about what you can and can’t do when you meet with an assessment team for your support needs.

Help your parents imagine life without carers or support and how they would cope. That will help them to understand the level of support they need.

Talk about every detail including mobility, diet, house cleanliness etc.
Discuss your problems as if it’s on your worst day, not even an average day. This means that you’ll be approved for support that will help prevent those bad days altogether!

4. Prepare for next steps

After about two weeks, you will have received an assessment and know the level of care you require. The last step is choosing providers that offer the services you need. Your IAT assessor will work to connect you with service providers in your local area. But from there, it’s up to you and your family to decide what’s best for you.

Parting Thoughts

The idea of being assessed can be confronting, but it's really not as scary as you might think. Preparing well and being honest with your assessor can put you on the right path to getting the supports you need to live a better life, and that's pretty exciting.

What is an IAT Assessment? (and How to Get the Most Out of It)