A Major Shift in Australia’s Home Care Landscape
Australia’s aged care system is undergoing another significant structural transition.
The long-standing Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) will progressively transition into the new Support at Home program — currently expected not earlier than July 2027.
This reform aims to streamline home care funding, simplify pathways, and improve service coordination.
However, experts warn that without deliberate equity planning, this transition could unintentionally widen access gaps — particularly for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) older Australians.
What Is CHSP and Why Does It Matter?
Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) has traditionally provided entry-level support services such as:
- Domestic assistance
- Transport
- Social support
- Allied health
- Respite services
For many older Australians — especially those from migrant backgrounds — CHSP providers are embedded within community organisations that understand:
- Cultural preferences
- Language needs
- Religious considerations
- Family dynamics
This community-based structure has often made CHSP more accessible for CALD seniors compared to more complex funding models.
The Transition to Support at Home
The new Support at Home program is designed to replace existing home care arrangements with a consolidated framework.
Its objectives include:
- Standardising funding levels
- Increasing accountability
- Aligning services under a unified assessment approach
- Simplifying program navigation
While reform may improve efficiency, structural changes can disrupt established support pathways — particularly for communities that already face barriers to accessing government systems.
Why CALD Seniors Face Unique Risks
Bianca Brijnath, a leading researcher in ageing and multicultural health, has highlighted concerns that reforms without explicit equity safeguards may disadvantage CALD communities.
Her analysis stresses that system redesign must not assume equal starting points for all older Australians.
CALD seniors may face:
- Limited English proficiency
- Lower digital literacy
- Reduced familiarity with government systems
- Cultural stigma surrounding formal care
- Reliance on informal community networks
When reforms centralise processes or digitise access, these barriers can intensify.
Five Actions to Protect Equity in the Transition
Professor Brijnath outlines five critical areas that require attention during the CHSP-to-Support-at-Home transition.
Let’s examine why each one matters.
1️⃣ Maintain Community-Based Service Delivery
Many multicultural seniors access care through trusted, local community organisations.
If reform pressures smaller providers out of the system, CALD seniors may lose culturally safe access points.
Community-based services provide:
- Familiar environments
- Culturally competent staff
- Language-specific communication
- Reduced intimidation
Preserving these access points supports trust and engagement.
2️⃣ Secure Funding for Prevention and Early Intervention
Early intervention is essential to prevent hospitalisation and premature entry into residential care.
For CALD communities, prevention programs may include:
- Social connection groups
- Cultural wellness activities
- Language-specific education sessions
- Community health outreach
Without dedicated funding, these preventative supports risk being deprioritised in favour of higher-intensity care.
Prevention is not an optional add-on — it is foundational to equitable ageing.
3️⃣ Strengthen Workforce Readiness — Especially Bicultural Roles
Bicultural and bilingual workers are often the bridge between families and the formal aged care system.
Workforce planning must ensure:
- Recruitment of multilingual staff
- Training in cultural responsiveness
- Sustainable funding for specialised roles
If providers struggle to retain culturally competent staff, service quality and accessibility may decline.
4️⃣ Prevent Provider Exits from CALD Markets
Reforms can increase administrative burden and compliance costs.
Smaller, multicultural-focused providers may face:
- Financial strain
- Workforce shortages
- Regulatory complexity
If these providers exit the market, CALD seniors may have fewer culturally appropriate options.
Market consolidation can unintentionally reduce diversity in service delivery.
5️⃣ Ensure Access to In-Language Information and Trusted Pathways
Information must be accessible not only linguistically, but culturally.
This includes:
- Translated materials
- Verbal explanations in preferred language
- Community-based information sessions
- Trusted intermediaries
Without clear communication, reforms can create confusion, mistrust, and disengagement.
Why the 2027 Timeline Matters
The extended timeline — not earlier than July 2027 — offers an important opportunity.
It allows policymakers, providers, and community organisations to:
- Test transitional models
- Consult CALD communities
- Adjust funding frameworks
- Safeguard culturally responsive services
Reform is not only about efficiency — it must also protect equity.
Equity in Aged Care Is Not Automatic
A rights-based aged care system must actively account for diversity.
Older Australians are not a homogenous group.
Equitable reform requires:
- Recognising structural disadvantages
- Planning for unequal starting points
- Embedding cultural responsiveness into system design
Without explicit equity measures, even well-intentioned reforms can unintentionally widen gaps.
What This Means for Multicultural Families
If your family member:
- Prefers care in their native language
- Relies heavily on community networks
- Has limited digital literacy
- Feels uncertain navigating government portals
Then the CHSP transition may feel particularly daunting.
Monitoring how reforms unfold — and understanding your options — is essential.
Families should consider:
- Whether current providers will continue under Support at Home
- How service costs may change
- What language supports are available
- How assessments are conducted
- Whether culturally specific providers remain accessible
The Importance of Planning Early
Waiting until funding changes take effect can increase stress.
Proactive planning allows families to:
- Compare provider models
- Understand fee structures
- Clarify eligibility
- Identify culturally appropriate services
- Avoid rushed decisions
A well-informed transition reduces uncertainty.
Further Reading and Reference
For broader context on the CHSP transition and equity considerations, refer to expert commentary highlighting the need for explicit planning to protect CALD seniors during reform discussions.
(Insert official government reform updates link here if publishing on website, e.g. Department of Health aged care reform page.)
Supporting Multicultural Families Through Care Finding in Melbourne
Navigating reforms can be especially complex for culturally and linguistically diverse families.
Support Services Connect Australia (SSCA) brings over 25 years of experience in the Australian aged care system.
Our free Care Finding service assists families in Melbourne to:
- Understand the transition from CHSP to Support at Home
- Compare providers clearly and objectively
- Identify culturally appropriate services
- Analyse service flexibility and fee transparency
- Match care needs, language preferences and location with suitable providers
We use clear, accessible language and respect your right to make informed decisions at every stage.
If you are concerned about how the 2027 transition may affect your loved one, professional guidance can help ensure that equity, dignity, and cultural needs remain central to your aged care choices.