Your Guide to Aged Care Support: CHSP, Home Care Packages & Support at Home
Planning for help at home is an important step for our loved ones, but understanding what support is available and how to apply can be overwhelming.
This guide answers common questions about getting help at home and helping you and your loved one navigate the options available through government-funded aged care services in Australia.
In this blog post, you can skip to a question by clicking on the links below:
Frequently Asked Questions
- 1. What is the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP)?
- 2. What are Home Care Packages, and how do they differ from CHSP?
- 3. What is the Support at Home Program, and what changes can people expect when it replaces CHSP and Home Care Packages?
- 4. How do I know if a program is right for my loved one?
- 5. How long does it take, and how do I apply for aged care services?
- 6. Are there costs involved?
- 7. Find out more about getting help at home
1. What is the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP)?
The Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) is a government-funded program for older Australians to access daily assistance. It provides funding for various care services, such as cleaning, transport to medical appointments, and gardening.
Eligible Australians must be 65 and older (or 50 and older if you identify as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person). Many older Australians receive help at home through CHSP with daily assistance for low-level tasks.
A Home Care Package might be suitable if a higher level of support and daily assistance is needed.
To find out if you are eligible and what services you can access, visit the My Aged Care website for more information.
2. What are Home Care Packages, and how do they differ from CHSP?
Home Care Packages provide funding for people who need more support and have complex care needs. For example, an older person may need help with many different tasks and a high level of assistance with daily living.
There are four levels of funding based on the level of support required. When a Home Care Package is approved and allocated, an approved service provider provides the support and care services. You will have the flexibility to choose the aged care service provider.
The difference between the Home Care Packages and the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) is the level of support required for daily living.
The CHSP provides funding assistance for older Australians who may need a lower level of support and help with a few daily tasks. The Home Care Packages provide funding for a higher level of daily assistance and support.
Starting 1 July 2025, the new Support At Home program will replace Home Care Packages.
Visit the My Aged Care website for more information, to see if you are eligible, and to see what services you can access.
3. What is the Support at Home Program, and what changes can people expect when it replaces CHSP and Home Care Packages?
The new Support at Home Program provides funding to help older Australians live independently at home for longer, simplifying access to aged care services through a single, streamlined system.
From 1 July 2025, Home Care Packages and the Short-Term Restorative Care program will now fall under the Support At Home Program. At a later date, the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) will also move under the Support at Home Program (no earlier than 1 July 2027).
New Features and Changes:
8 Budget Levels: The new program introduces 8 budget levels and classifications to replace the current 4 Home Care Package levels.
Older Australians receiving Home Care Packages will be assigned a budget that aligns with their current care package level.
New applicants to the Support At Home program will be assessed and given a classification and budget suited to their specific needs.
The indicative budget amounts below are correct as at 3 February 2025. The final budget amounts for all participants will be confirmed before the start of the Support At Home program.
The indicative budget amounts for each ongoing classification are:
| Classification | Quarterly Budget | Annual Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ~$2,750 | ~$11,000 |
| 2 | ~$4,000 | ~$16,000 |
| 3 | ~$5,500 | ~$22,000 |
| 4 | ~$7,500 | ~$30,000 |
| 5 | ~$10,000 | ~$40,000 |
| 6 | ~$12,000 | ~$48,000 |
| 7 | ~$14,500 | ~$58,000 |
| 8 | ~$19,500 | ~$78,000 |
The indicative budget amounts for home care recipients transitioned to Support at Home are:
| Transitioned Home Care Recipients | Quarterly Budget | Annual Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2,708 | $10,833 |
| 2 | $4,762 | $19,049 |
| 3 | $10,365 | $41,460 |
| 4 | $15,713 | $62,853 |
Reassessments for Changing Needs: If a person's care needs change over time, they may be reassessed into a new classification level with a higher budget to meet their increased needs.
Support Provided:
One Dedicated Service Provider: Each older person will have one dedicated Support at Home service provider responsible for ensuring that their care meets their needs and remains within their quarterly budget.
Self-Managed Care: Support at Home recipients will have the option to self-manage their care, including choosing their care workers, with the agreement of their service provider.
Defined List of Services: The program provides a defined list of care services. For the complete list, please visit the Support at Home website.
Additional Supports and Funding:
Help with Assistive Technology and Home Modifications
A new Assistive Technology and Home Modifications Scheme will be available to help people find necessary assistive technology and make modifications to their homes. This scheme is separate to a person's Support at Home funding. However, service providers can assist in arranging and sourcing equipment through the AT-HM Scheme if needed.
Short-Term Care and End of Life Support:
The new program will also offer short-term care services, including end-of-life support at home.
Older Australians with three months or less to live and who wish to remain at home will be given priority access to the program's highest funding level. The End Of Life Support pathway provides an additional $25,000 for home care services over a 16-week period. The End of Life Pathway will work alongside, not replace, specialised palliative care services like symptom management and advanced care planning.
This funding is separate from regular Support at Home funding and works alongside, rather than replacing, specialised palliative care services such as symptom management and advanced care planning.
For more information on the Support at Home Program, visit the Australian Government's Support at Home website: https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/support-at-home/features.
4. How do I know if a program is right for my loved one?
Choosing the right program depends on your loved one's needs, health and how well they are doing living at home.
To find out if you can access aged care services, the first step is to complete the eligibility checker online or you can do this over the phone.
If you are eligible, the next step is to apply for an assessment that will happen at home and in person.
An assessment will pinpoint specific needs and recommend suitable care options for your loved one.
The My Aged Care website lists all the care services and types of help available for older Australians.
For low-level support: If an older person needs help with only a few tasks, such as cleaning, gardening, or transport, the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) might be suitable. This program is designed to assist older Australians who require low support with daily living.
For more complex needs: If your loved one requires help with multiple tasks or a combination of higher-level care, such as personal care, nursing, or meal preparation, a Home Care Package may be more suitable.
5. How long does it take, and how do I apply for aged care services?
The first step is to find out if you or your loved are eligible for care.
Step 1: Check if you or your loved one can apply to access aged care services
You can use the My Aged Care eligibility checker on the My Aged Care website or call the My Aged Care helpline and speak to the team over the phone.
You will be asked a short series of questions to see if you are eligible and if you can move to the next step of applying for an assessment visit at home.
Step 2: Apply for an assessment.
If you are eligible, you can apply for an assessment online. On the form, you will be asked a short series of questions.
The form takes about 15 to 20 minutes to complete, and you will need to confirm your personal details, including your Medicare card number.
If you are completing the form on behalf of someone else, you will need to complete the form with them.
You must have the person's consent and agreement to apply for an assessment.
The types of questions that are asked include:
What kind of help you need
The types of daily activities you need help with
Whether you get other support
Your situation and health
Your contact details
Once you have completed the application form, an assessor will contact you to schedule an in-person assessment at your home. Applying early is essential, as the process may take time. You can learn more about current waiting periods on the My Aged Care Website.
Step 3: At Home Visit For Assessment
For the assessment at home, consider having a support person there or being the support person for your loved one.
During the assessment visit, an Application for Care form will need to be filled out.
You will need your Medicare card and the details of your GP or other health professionals involved in your care.
Your assessor will visit you at home to discuss what you need help with, what your daily life has been like, and your support plan.
They will be there to answer any questions you have and you will get a copy of the support plan. The support plan lists the care and services that will help you the most.
After the assessment, a decision will be made about eligibility and funding levels.
If you are eligible to access aged care services, you'll receive a letter outlining the outcome and next steps within 2 to 6 weeks.
Visit the My Aged Care website for more details and information on what happens during and after the assessment.
6. Are there costs involved?
Even though these programs are government-funded, accessing aged care services may involve costs. The specific fees depend on your loved one's financial situation and needs, which are taken into account during the assessment.
The assessment determines your eligibility and care needs. Detailed financial information, including fees and contributions, will be provided after the assessment outcome to ensure you understand the costs before starting any services.
Need help?
If you’d like to find out more about getting help at home for you or your loved one, call our friendly Aged Care Team on 1800 275 223, we’re here to help you.
Our local quality aged care services provide support, dignity, and enhance quality of life, empowering older people to age independently and live well at home for as long as possible.
Sources:
My Aged Care Helpline: 1800 200 422
My Aged Care Website: https://www.myagedcare.gov.au
My Aged Care Assessment Outcome: https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/assessment-outcome-home-care-packages
Disclaimer
The information provided in this blog post is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as legal, financial, or professional advice. While we strive to ensure the accuracy of the content, we encourage you to visit the relevant government websites for the most up-to-date and official information.
