The Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) is a government subsidised program that provides in-home aged care services for older Australians.
In this article we explain how the CHSP is different to a Home Care Package. We also outline how you can access these supports to live independently and safely at home, for as long as you can.
What is CHSP?
The Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) is a government subsidised, entry-level home support program that can help older people to:
- Live independently and safely at home.
- Be socially connected within the community.
- Delay or avoid higher-level home care and residential aged care.
- Access respite help when carers need a break.
CHSP was established in 2015 to consolidate and replace:
- the Commonwealth Home and Community Care (HACC) program.
- planned respite from the National Respite for Carers Program (NRCP).
- the Day Therapy Centres (DTC) program.
- the Assistance with Care and Housing for the Aged (ACHA) program.
CHSP versus Home Care Packages
The Australian Government funds both the CHSP and the Home Care Package Program.
The key difference between CHSP and Home Care Packages is the level of care delivered:
Commonwealth Home Support Program:
Most people accessing CHSP only require one or two services to help them live independently.
Home Care Packages:
People accessing Home Care Packages generally have higher care needs and are allocated funding across four levels to accommodate basic, low, intermediate, and high/complex care needs.
Here’s more information about Home Care Packages:
Home Care Package Guidelines – Aged Care Decisions
Who is eligible for a home care package? – Aged Care Decisions
What can I spend my home care package on? -Aged Care Decisions
Aged Care Decisions has matched thousands of Australian seniors with suitable and available Home Care Package Providers.
Connect with us now to receive a FREE, tailored, interactive Options Report, shortlisting Home Care Package Providers for you to review, consider and compare.
How does the CHSP work?
The CHSP provides basic, entry-level services to help older Australians live independently and safely at home. CHSP services support an individual’s strengths and abilities (as opposed to simply doing things for them) and improves their social connections within the community.
Around 1,400 different providers deliver CHSP services across Australia, many of them not-for-profit organisations.
Read more: Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) | My Aged Care
What does the CHSP cost?
Government subsidies and grants partially fund services provided through the CHSP.
Individuals contribute to the cost of services they receive, if and when they can afford to do so.
Contribution fees vary between providers and are negotiated between the provider and care recipient. If you cannot contribute towards the services you need, you will not be excluded from the program.
The CHSP is not income or asset tested.
Find more information about CHSP client contributions here: Commonwealth Home Support Programme costs | My Aged Care
Who is eligible for the CHSP?
Australians aged 65 years and over (50 or over for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander peoples) may access CHSP if they need a little help to live independently at home.
People on a low income, who are homeless or are at risk of being homeless can access CHSP services if they are aged 50 years and older (45 years or older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples).
RAS (Regional Assessment Services) complete a face-to-face assessment in the home to determine the support an applicant needs.
How to apply for the CHSP?
Apply for the CHSP by following these steps:
Step 1: Complete an initial assessment on the My Aged Care website: Apply for an aged care assessment | My Aged Care or by calling My Aged Care on 1800 200 422.
Step 2: Schedule a face-to-face assessment based on your level of need.
Low-level needs: if your initial assessment determines that you have low-level needs, the Regional Assessment Service will contact you for a CHSP assessment.
Higher needs: if you are considered to have higher, more complex needs, the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) will contact you for a Home Care Package Assessment. ACAT Assessment | Aged Care Assessment | Aged Care Decisions
Step 3: Complete a face-to-face assessment to discuss your current abilities and care needs. This will most likely be conducted in your home and will take around an hour.
Step 4: Be approved for CHSP and develop a personal support plan with your RAS Assessor. At this stage you will receive a referral code to forward to providers.
Step 5: Find and engage home support providers.
FIND A LIST OF CURRENT CHSP PROVIDERS HERE: Find a provider (myagedcare.gov.au)
What services will the CHSP pay for?
CHSP delivers a range of basic home and community care services, including:
Home help – domestic assistance with household jobs such as cleaning and laundry.
Transport – for errands, appointments, and social activities.
Personal care – help with showering, dressing, hair care and personal hygiene.
Home maintenance – gardening, small maintenance tasks and minor general repairs.
Home modifications – installation of safety aids such as alarms, ramps, and support rails.
Food services – meal preparation, home delivery (e.g., Meals on Wheels) and meals served at a community centre.
Social support – community group social activities and day programs.
Nursing care – home visits for dressing changes, care advice and basic care needs.
Allied health support services – physiotherapy, occupational and speech therapy, podiatry, dietician, and other allied services.
Housing support – assistance with housing options for vulnerable older people.
Respite care – support for carers by providing respite care options.
Who provides CHSP services?
The Department of Health manages funding and develops policy for the CHSP.
My Aged Care coordinates individual assessments and the allocation of CHSP funding.
Around 1,400 providers participate in the CHSP. In 2021-22, 68% of CHSP providers were not-for-profit organisations.
Find information for providers: Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care
Where is a CHSP providers list?
If you are approved for the CHSP and are looking for providers, start your search here: Find a provider (myagedcare.gov.au)
How to access CHSP while waiting for a Home Care Package
While waiting for Home Care Package funding to be assigned, you may be eligible to receive some basic, entry-level services under CHSP.
Contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 to explore this option.
How to find home care providers
Aged Care Decisions helps thousands of Australian seniors to find the Home Care Package provider that best suits their needs.
First, our Placements Specialists will ask you about your specific care needs, location, budget, and personal preferences.
Then, they will use our custom-built software to create a personalised home care provider Options Report for you.
We will email this to you within about half an hour of your initial conversation and you can compare and choose which providers you like best. This tailored provider shortlist saves you time and stress. And best of all, it costs you nothing.
Our service is 100% FREE for individuals and families because providers pay us a set, industry-standard fee on placement. This means we are 100% independent and unbiased. In fact, our top priority is finding you the Home Care Package Provider that best suits your needs.
Connect with us now to get started.
