The assessment is coming. Here's what they're actually scoring.
The IAT assessment determines your Support at Home classification and quarterly funding for years. Most families walk into it without knowing what the algorithm scores — or that how you present on the day directly affects what you get.
Direct answer: The IAT scores 8 functional domains. Cognition carries the highest weight — a one-point difference in this domain alone can mean the difference between Level 3 ($5,480/quarter) and Level 4 ($7,545/quarter): $8,260 per year. The tool walks you through all 8 domains in about 20 minutes and generates a printable written statement to hand to the assessor.
By Steve Hadfield, AgedCareActionPlan.au · Last updated: 27 April 2026
No sign-up. No cost. Independent. Takes approximately 20 minutes.
Preparing for your own assessment?
This tool is equally for people preparing for their own assessment — not just families acting on behalf of someone else. Getting the right classification means getting the right level of support to stay at home, on your own terms. The tool helps you document your real needs accurately — so the assessment reflects them.
Why does preparation matter so much for the aged care assessment?
$8,260
A one-point difference in the IAT cognition domain can shift the classification from Level 3 to Level 4. That is the difference between $5,480 and $7,545 per quarter — $8,260 per year, every year, until the classification is reviewed. The assessment takes 45–75 minutes. The funding it produces may last years.
The most common reason classifications understate care needs: the person presents better on assessment day than on a typical day. This is natural — people instinctively try harder when being assessed. A written statement handed to the assessor when they arrive removes this risk entirely.
What does the IAT actually score?
The IAT is governed by the Aged Care Rules 2025, section 81-10. It scores 8 functional domains. The weighting is not equal — cognition and activities of daily living carry the highest weight. The tool walks you through each domain with specific prompts.
🧠
Memory and cognition
Very high weight
🚶
Mobility and physical function
High weight
🚿
Self-care — showering, dressing
High weight
💊
Health conditions and medications
High weight
🔒
Continence
Significant weight
💬
Communication — hearing, vision
Moderate weight
❤️
Psychological wellbeing
Moderate–high weight
👥
Social engagement and connection
Moderate weight
What are the three most common preparation mistakes?
1
Describing good days, not typical days
The IAT should reflect day-to-day reality, not a better-than-usual day. If you're having a good day on assessment day, say so: 'Today is better than usual. On harder days I struggle to [specific example].' A written statement ensures this is on record regardless of how you present.
2
Saying 'I manage' when someone else is helping
The algorithm scores independent function — not what gets done with family help. 'I manage' when a daughter visits every morning to help with showering understates the actual need. Document every task that requires help from anyone — paid or unpaid.
3
Describing difficulty without dates and specifics
The IAT scores documented incidents more accurately than general descriptions. 'Falls sometimes' versus 'fell twice last month — 14 March in the bathroom, 2 April in the garden, needed help to get up both times' produce different results. The tool prompts you for exactly this level of detail.
What does the preparation tool produce for me?
Work through all 8 IAT domains in approximately 20 minutes. The tool generates:
A printable written statement
Covering all 8 IAT domains with your documented incidents. Hand it to the assessor when they arrive — so the record exists even on a better day.
Domain-by-domain preparation prompts
Specific questions for each domain — the types of incidents that score accurately, the level of detail that matters, and what not to leave out.
What to say on assessment day
Including how to flag that today may be atypical, and how to introduce the written statement to the assessor.
What to do if the classification is wrong
If the result doesn't reflect the real situation, the tool explains how to request a review — and what evidence to prepare.
Want the full picture first?
The explains every domain, how the weighting works, and how to dispute a classification that doesn't reflect real needs. The shows what each level actually buys in care — so you know what's at stake.
Common questions about the aged care IAT assessment?
Can I have someone present with me at the assessment?
Yes. You have the right to have a family member, friend, or OPAN advocate present at the assessment. Brief them beforehand on specific incidents to raise — particularly incidents you might not mention yourself. OPAN advocates attend assessments free of charge. Call 1800 700 600 to arrange this.
What if I've already had my assessment and the result seems wrong?
Request a review. Call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 and say you want to request a review of your Support at Home classification. Document specific incidents the assessment didn't capture — dates, what happened, what the risk was. A GP or specialist letter confirming your functional limitations is effective supporting evidence. The preparation tool includes guidance on what to document for a review.
How long does the preparation take?
Approximately 20 minutes to work through all 8 IAT domains. The printable statement it generates can then be handed directly to the assessor, removing the need to remember everything on the day. The assessment itself typically takes 45–75 minutes.
Does it matter which services I'm currently receiving?
The assessment scores what you need — not what you currently receive. If you're currently receiving more support than what's in your care plan (because family is filling the gap), or less than you need, document both. The IAT scores functional need, not current service delivery.
Related free tools and guides
Last updated: 27 April 2026 · IAT domain information sourced from Aged Care Rules 2025, section 81-10. Classification budget figures effective 1 November 2025 (Department of Health and Aged Care). Verify current figures at myagedcare.gov.au. This is a guidance tool — not medical, legal, or financial advice. AgedCareActionPlan.au is independent and receives no commissions from any provider.