Key Takeaways
Yes, you can navigate the Australian aged care system entirely without a computer. The My Aged Care process is designed to support phone, postal, and face-to-face communication for seniors who prefer to stay offline.
- Register By Phone: Call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 to register, book an in-home assessment, and request that all letters be mailed to you. A myGov account is completely optional.
- Request Paper Forms: Call Services Australia on 132 300 to have physical documents, such as the SA456 income assessment form, posted directly to your home address.
- Get Face-To-Face Help: Book a free appointment with an Aged Care Specialist Officer (ACSO) at a Centrelink service centre for in-person assistance with forms and referrals.
- Appoint A Registered Supporter: Nominate a trusted family member or friend to speak to My Aged Care, manage documents, and handle any online accounts on your behalf.
- Compare Providers By Phone: Contact Aged Care Decisions for a free phone consultation. We will match you with local home care providers and send a personalised Options Report to a family member to print, or post it directly to you if you have no one nearby.
You do not need a computer, a MyGov account, or a printer to access government-funded aged care in Australia. Every step, from registering with My Aged Care to choosing a home care provider, can be completed by phone, by post, or face-to-face at a Centrelink service centre.
If you or a loved one has felt overwhelmed or “left behind” by a system that seems to assume everyone owns a smartphone and can download a 52-page PDF, you are not alone. This guide explains exactly how to navigate My Aged Care offline, in plain English, with a simple checklist you can jot down on a piece of paper.
Can You Apply for Aged Care Without Going Online?
Yes. My Aged Care is the Australian Government’s central entry point for aged care services. It can be accessed entirely by phone. You do not need to create an online account, log in to myGov or fill out any form on a computer to begin the process.
You can call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 (Monday to Friday, 8am–8pm; Saturday, 10am–2pm). Staff can register you, answer your questions and arrange an aged care assessment in a single phone call.
When you register with My Aged Care, an online account is created that mirrors your letters and records. This account is optional. Letters are still issued to you by post, and you never need to log in to receive them or take action on them. An optional registered supporter can use the online account on your behalf if it ever becomes useful.
Your Step By Step Guide To Applying For Aged Care Without A Computer
Step 1: Call My Aged Care to Register and Book an Assessment
My Aged Care is the starting point for all government-funded aged care, including the Support at Home program.
To register and book an aged care assessment:
- Call My Aged Care: 1800 200 422
- Ask staff to register you over the phone. They will take your details and create your record.
- Ask for an in-home aged care assessment. An assessor (usually a nurse or social worker) will visit your home in person.
- You can also ask your GP, hospital nurse or community nurse to refer you for an assessment on your behalf.
What to have ready before you call:
- Your Medicare card
- A rough list of the daily tasks you find difficult (e.g. showering, cooking, gardening)
- The name and phone number of your GP
Step 2: Request Paper Forms. You Don’t Have to Use Centrelink Online
Two forms are commonly needed during the aged care process. Both are available in paper format and can be posted back to Services Australia. You do not need to submit anything online.
The Income and Assets Assessment (SA456 Form)
The SA456 form (Support at Home – Calculation of your cost of care) determines how much you contribute toward your care costs. If you are on the full Age Pension, you may not need to complete this form at all. Simply call Centrelink to trigger the assessment.
To request a paper copy:
- Call Services Australia on 132 300
- Ask them to mail you the SA456 form
- Complete it at home and return it by post with any supporting documents.
If you skip the income assessment, you may be charged the maximum contribution rate. It is worth completing even if it feels daunting. An Aged Care Specialist Officer (see Step 3) can help you fill it out at no cost.
Step 3: Get Face-to-Face Help at a Centrelink Service Centre
If you prefer in-person support, you can visit any Services Australia (Centrelink) service centre and ask to speak with an Aged Care Specialist Officer (ACSO).
What Is an Aged Care Specialist Officer?
An Aged Care Specialist Officer is a Services Australia staff member who specialises in aged care. They are available at selected Centrelink locations and can:
- Explain your aged care options in plain English, face-to-face
- Help you fill out paper forms, including the SA456 income assessment
- Refer you directly for an aged care assessment with My Aged Care
- Explain letters and decisions you have received in the mail
To book a free appointment with an ACSO:
- Call the Aged Care line on 1800 227 475, or
- Walk into your nearest Centrelink service centre and ask for an Aged Care Specialist Officer appointment.
Appointments are free. You are welcome to bring a family member or carer with you.
Step 4: Register a Supporter to Speak and Act on Your Behalf
One of the most powerful and least well-known tools for offline seniors is the Registered Supporter system. A registered supporter is a person you officially authorise to speak to My Aged Care, make enquiries, and take actions on your behalf.
What Can a Registered Supporter Do?
A registered supporter can:
- Call My Aged Care on your behalf to check your status, request documents and make changes
- Attend your in-home aged care assessment with you (or in some cases, instead of you)
- Speak to providers and help you sign a Home Care Agreement
- Receive letters and correspondence on your behalf
There are two levels of supporter access. An authorised representative has full decision-making authority, while a nominated person has limited access for communication purposes. You can choose the level of access that suits your situation.
How Do You Register a Supporter Without a Computer?
You do not need a computer to set this up. There are three offline options:
- By phone: Call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 and ask to register a supporter over the phone.
- By paper form: Ask My Aged Care to mail you the Registration of a Supporter form. Complete it and return by post.
- In person: Ask an Aged Care Specialist Officer at a Centrelink service centre to help you set up a supporter during your appointment.
Once registered, your supporter can call My Aged Care using their own name and speak freely on your behalf.
Step 5: What to Do During a Phone Assessment When You Can’t See the Forms
Most aged care assessments happen face-to-face in your home, which is ideal for offline seniors. However, some follow-up information gathering, clarifications or review calls may happen over the phone. It can be stressful when an assessor refers to your support plan and you have nothing in front of you.
Here is how to handle phone assessments with confidence:
- Ask the assessor to slow down and repeat questions. You have every right to ask for this.
- Ask them to read your answers back to you before they are recorded, so you can confirm they are correct.
- If possible, ask a family member or friend to be with you in person when the assessor calls. A second set of ears makes a big difference when there is a lot of information to take in
- Ask for a printed copy of your Support Plan to be posted to you after the assessment. This your right under the Aged Care Quality Standards
- If you are unsure about anything in the outcome letter, call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 and ask staff to explain it to you, step by step.
Step 6: Find a Home Care Provider Without Searching Online
Finding and comparing home care providers is often the most digitally heavy step in the process. The My Aged Care Find a Provider tool is online-only, and many providers communicate mainly by email. The good news is that you do not need to go online at all.
Call Aged Care Decisions for a FREE shortlist of providers
Aged Care Decisions is a 100% free, phone-based service that removes the need to search online for a provider entirely.
When you call, a dedicated Aged Care Specialist will:
- Take note of your location, care needs, budget, and personal preferences over the phone.
- Match you with available home care providers in your area
- Email a personalised Options Report to your registered supporter or nominated family member who can print it for you so you can review your choices without a screen. If you have no one nearby, we can post the report directly to you
- Book provider meetings on your behalf and walk you through the decision at your own pace.
Call Aged Care Decisions: 1300 775 870 (free service, no obligation)
Or ask a family member to visit agedcaredecisions.com.au to learn more.
Get your FREE Aged Care Provider Options Report today.
Your No-Computer Aged Care Checklist
Copy this checklist onto a piece of paper. Tick each step as you go.
Task | Who to Call | |
☐ | Call to register with My Aged Care and book an in-home assessment | My Aged Care: 1800 200 422 |
☐ | Ask My Aged Care to post you a “Registration of a Supporter” form | My Aged Care: 1800 200 422 |
☐ | Request the paper SA456 income assessment form to be mailed to you | Services Australia: 132 300 |
☐ | Book a face-to-face appointment with an Aged Care Specialist Officer | Aged Care line: 1800 227 475 |
☐ | Complete and post back the SA456 form with supporting documents | Services Australia: 132 300 |
☐ | Ask for all letters and your Support Plan to be sent by post | My Aged Care: 1800 200 422 |
☐ | Call Aged Care Decisions for a free, phone-based provider shortlist | Aged Care Decisions: 1300 775 870 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need a MyGov Account to Apply for Aged Care?
No. You can register with My Aged Care, book an assessment, and complete your income assessment entirely by phone and post. A MyGov account makes some steps faster but is never compulsory.
Can Someone Else Apply for Aged Care on My Behalf?
Yes. Once you register a Registered Supporter with My Aged Care, that person can call, make enquiries, attend assessments, and take actions on your behalf. You can set this up by calling My Aged Care on 1800 200 422, using a paper form sent by post, or in person at a Centrelink service centre.
What If I Don't Have Family to Help Me Navigate Aged Care?
If you have no one to support you, a Care Finder can help. Care Finders are free government-funded workers who provide hands-on, in-person assistance to vulnerable or isolated older Australians. Ask My Aged Care to connect you with a care finder in your local area.
Can I Get a Printed List of Home Care Providers?
Yes. Call Aged Care Decisions on 1300 775 870 for a free, personalised Options Report that matches providers to your specific needs and location. This report can be mailed or verbally explained to you over the phone. Or we can email it to a friend or family member to print it for you.
What Is the SA456 Form?
The SA456 form is the “Support at Home – Calculation of Your Cost of Care” income and assets assessment form used by Services Australia (Centrelink). It determines how much you contribute toward your Support at Home services. You can request a paper copy by calling 132 300.
Here’s how Aged Care Decisions’ FREE aged care matching service works:
