All new entrants to the federal aged care system will from today receive a central client record containing demographic, assessment and service information that is accessible by the person, their families and care providers.

Also from today, healthcare professionals including GPs and nurses can make a referral to aged care services through the My Aged Care contact centre by phone or online, and in an acceptance that many healthcare providers still like paper, by fax.

Referrers can also find a a searchable list of government-supported aged care organisations, their contact details and the services they provide through the My Aged Care website. For non-government services, they can consult the National Health Services Directory (NHSD).