About the CHSP
The CHSP is an introductory in-home aged care support program designed to assist older Australians in maintaining their independence within their homes and communities. Additionally, the CHSP offers respite services to provide caregivers with a much-needed break.
The primary objectives of the program are to help older Australians live as independently as possible, collaborate with them to achieve their goals, and provide a modest level of assistance to many individuals. Most participants in the CHSP typically require only one or two services to support their independence.
The CHSP consolidates four previous programs, including the Commonwealth Home and Community Care (HACC) program, planned respite from the National Respite for Carers Program (NRCP), the Day Therapy Centers (DTC) program, and Assistance with Care and Housing for the Aged (ACHA) program.
Why it is important to support older Australians in their homes
As older Australians age, most prefer to remain in the comfort of their own homes for as long as possible. To facilitate this desire, the Government provides subsidies for a variety of in-home aged care services. These services play:
- a crucial role in helping older individuals maintain their independence and safety,
- while also potentially delaying or preventing the need for more intensive care, such as moving into a residential aged care facility.
- these services help seniors stay socially active and connected with their community.
The CHSP is a key component of the government-subsidized aged care system. In addition to the CHSP, there are other programs available to support individuals with more complex needs, such as the Home Care Packages program. For those who can no longer live at home, residential aged care provides a necessary alternative. By offering a range of services and support options, we aim to ensure that older Australians can continue to live comfortably and safely in their own homes for as long as possible.
Who is eligible for the CHSP?
The CHSP is designed for elderly Australians who require assistance to maintain their independence while living at home. Eligible individuals must meet the following criteria:
- Individuals aged 65 years or older (50 years or older for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people) who have functional limitations and require assistance.
- Individuals prematurely aged (50 years or older; 45 years or older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples) with a low income who are either:
- Homeless or at risk of homelessness due to housing stress or lack of secure accommodation.
- Living in hoarding behavior or squalid environments and are at risk of homelessness or unable to access necessary aged care services.
Additionally, the CHSP provides support to carers by offering planned respite services for CHSP clients. This service allows caregivers to take a break from their caregiving responsibilities.
Services provided by the CHSP
The services can be funded by the CHSP:
- assistance with household tasks,
- transportation,
- meal preparation,
- personal care,
- home modifications,
- social support,
- nursing and allied health services,
- planned respite care.
How CHSP Works
The CHSP is available nationwide and provides funding to a wide range of organizations, known as service providers, to offer care and services.
The primary goal of the program is to enhance the older Australians’ strengths and abilities of clients, enabling them to continue living independently and safely in their own homes.
As part of the CHSP, trained assessors conduct face-to-face assessments in the homes of clients to determine the level of support needed. Service providers are required to:
- Collaborate with the client to create a personalized care plan based on their support requirements
- Assist the client in maintaining their independence by encouraging them to perform tasks on their own whenever possible
- Regularly review support services every 12 months to ensure they are meeting the client’s needs
- Adhere to the Aged Care Quality Standards
By following these guidelines, service providers under the CHSP program can effectively support individuals in maintaining their quality of life and independence.
Costs for CHSP
CHSP providers receive government funding through grant agreements, allowing them to offer subsidized services to older individuals. Clients are required to pay a contribution or fee, which varies depending on the provider, towards the cost of these services. It is expected that clients who can afford to do so will contribute towards the cost of the services they receive.
However, clients will not be asked to cover the full cost of services and any fees must be agreed upon between the client and the service provider before services begin.
Providers are expected to have a publicly available client contribution policy that outlines how they determine their fees.
Clients who are unable to contribute to the cost of services will not be denied access to them. Providers have their systems in place to protect those who are least able to contribute towards the cost of their care.
For more information about Charging for the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP)
Who provides CHSP services?
There are over 1,200 CHSP providers in Australia, which include government, non-government, and not-for-profit organizations.