Personal Alert AssistanceSA

People can use a personal alert system to call for help if they are unable to use the phone in an emergency. Some newer systems can detect falls, keep working when you leave the house, and find your location in an emergency.

You can apply for help to pay for an approved system and for monitoring services.

If you were recently approved, find out what you need to do after approval (on this page).

How to apply

Step 1
Seek a My Aged Care assessment
My Aged Care may fund your personal alert system through Support at Home, a Home Care Package or the Commonwealth Home Support Program.
Visit My Aged Care or call 1800 200 422 to seek an assessment for aged care services.
Step 2
Check if you're eligible
To be eligible you must:
- be aged 75 years or older (65 years or older if you are Aboriginal)
- have a Centrelink or DVA Pensioner Concession Card
- be a permanent resident of South Australia
- meet the additional clinical, functional, and social criteria
- have sought an assessment from My Aged Care for aged care services and been assessed as one of the following:
  - approved for Support at Home (SAH) Classification 1 with Low Assistive Technology (AT) funding
  - approved for a level 1 Home Care Package (HCP)
  - approved for a Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP)
  - not eligible for SAH, CHSP, or a HCP.
Who is not eligible (on this page)
Step 3
Download the application form
Download the Personal Alert AssistanceSA - application form (PDF 462KB) or phone 1300 700 169 and ask for a form to be sent to you.
Step 4
Complete the form with your registered health professional
Take your form to a registered health professional to complete and sign the relevant section.
You'll need your:
- Centrelink Customer Reference Number (CRN) or Department of Veteran's Affairs (DVA) file number
- My Aged Care (AC) ID.
Step 5
Submit your application
Scan and email the form to paasa@sa.gov.au
Processing delays will apply to applications received by post.
Step 6
What to do after approval
Choose an alert system from an approved supplier
Contact your chosen supplier within 6 weeks of approval and give them your purchase code from your approval letter.

Who is not eligible

people who have not sought an assessment for aged care services from My Aged Care
people approved for Support at Home (SAH) who are not approved for Classification 1 with Low Assistive Technology (AT) funding
people approved for a level 2 to 4 Home Care Package (HCP)
people who have rejected SAH, a HCP, or the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP)
people currently participating in the Transitional Care Program (TCP)
veterans or veterans' widows or widowers who are eligible under the DVA Rehabilitation Appliances Program
DVA Gold Card holders
people who live independently in a retirement village where a personal alert system or similar service is included in the residence contract
people who live in supported accommodation, such as a supported residential facility or residential aged care facility.

National Broadband Network

The National Broadband Network (NBN) can affect people who use personal alert systems.

If your system still relies on the legacy copper network to make emergency alert calls, you must organise the migration of the existing equipment to an alternative technology (the NBN or a mobile network).

To make sure your system keeps working you must:

contact your system provider or manufacturer to check if your system is compatible with the NBN
tell your telephone provider (new or existing) that you have a system before you move to the NBN.

Contact