What is the Commonwealth Home Support Program?

The Commonwealth Home Support Program, commonly called CHSP, provides entry-level assistance for older Australians who need a small amount of support to continue living safely and independently at home. Services may include domestic assistance, meals, transport, home maintenance, social support, personal care and allied health.

What is the Support at Home program?

Support at Home is the Australian Government's in-home aged care program for older people with assessed ongoing or more complex care needs. It replaced the Home Care Packages Program and Short-Term Restorative Care Programme on 1 November 2025. It provides eight ongoing funding classifications and short-term pathways for restorative care, end-of-life care, assistive technology and home modifications.

What is the main difference between CHSP and Support at Home?

CHSP generally provides a smaller amount of entry-level assistance for people who need help with one or two aspects of daily life. Support at Home provides an individual funding allocation and coordinated care for people with greater, ongoing or more complex support needs.

How are CHSP and Support at Home funded?

CHSP services are delivered by government-funded providers, with clients generally asked to make an affordable contribution towards their services. Under Support at Home, eligible participants receive an individual quarterly budget based on their assessed classification. Participant contributions depend on income, assets and the type of service received, while approved clinical supports are fully funded by the Australian Government.

Can I choose between CHSP and Support at Home?

The program for which you are approved is determined through an aged care needs assessment rather than personal choice alone. People requiring entry-level assistance may be approved for CHSP, while those with greater or more coordinated care needs may be approved for Support at Home.

How do I apply for CHSP or Support at Home?

The first step is to contact My Aged Care or apply for an assessment online. An aged care needs assessor will discuss your circumstances, goals and support requirements and determine whether CHSP, Support at Home or another type of aged care is appropriate.

Is CHSP being replaced by Support at Home?

CHSP continues to operate separately from Support at Home. In August 2026, the Australian Government announced that CHSP would be extended until 30 June 2029. Existing CHSP clients can continue accessing approved services while the program remains in operation.

What services are available through Support at Home?

Depending on a participant's assessment and support plan, Support at Home may fund nursing, allied health, personal care, medication assistance, respite, transport, social support, cleaning, gardening, shopping, meal preparation, assistive technology and home modifications.

Can Heather Senior Care help me understand my home care options?

Yes. Heather Senior Care can help older people and their families understand available in-home care options and the process for accessing Support at Home services. Heather provides personalised in-home care across Brisbane and surrounding areas, with both government-funded and private care options available.

CHSP vs Support at Home: What Is the Difference?

When comparing CHSP vs Support at Home, the key question is not which program is ‘better’. It is what level of support will help the person remain safe, well and independent at home now.

Key Takeaways

CHSP generally provides entry-level support for selected needs.
Support at Home is designed for people who need more ongoing, coordinated or complex support.
An aged care assessment considers individual needs rather than a simple age or service checklist.
CHSP continues while transition arrangements develop; check current official dates and advice.

The short answer

CHSP, the Commonwealth Home Support Programme, is generally for people who need entry-level help with selected everyday tasks. Support at Home is designed for people who need a more coordinated approach, potentially including personal care, clinical services, assistive technology or home modifications.

Neither label decides what is right for a particular person. Needs, goals, safety and the support already available all matter.

Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) at a glance

CHSP can provide subsidised entry-level services such as domestic assistance, meals, transport, social support, gardening, home maintenance, personal care or respite. It may suit someone who manages most of daily life but needs help in one or two areas.

Ask the current provider what services are available, what contribution policy applies and what to do if needs change. Do not assume that a person needs to leave CHSP simply because Support at Home exists.

Support at Home at a glance

Support at Home is for people who need more ongoing or coordinated support at home. Depending on assessment and the support plan, it may include personal care, domestic support, nursing, allied health, transport, meals, respite, assistive technology and home modifications.

Support at Home arrangements, contributions and pathways are subject to government rules. Use this article as a plain-English starting point, then confirm current details with My Aged Care and the provider.

A practical comparison

Question	CHSP	Support at Home
Typical role	Entry-level help with selected needs	More ongoing or coordinated support
What determines access?	Assessment and local service availability	Assessment, support plan and program arrangements
When to review?	When tasks or safety change	When needs, goals or support plan change
Equipment/home changes	Ask provider about available supports	AT-HM pathway may be relevant for eligible people

When needs are changing

Consider a new conversation when there are falls, declining mobility, more difficulty with showering or dressing, increasing reliance on family, hospital admissions, social isolation or carer fatigue. The question is whether the existing support still reflects the person’s real day-to-day life.

Start by documenting what has changed, then ask My Aged Care or the current provider what review or assessment pathway is appropriate.

The CHSP transition

The Australian Government has advised that CHSP is planned to transition into Support at Home no earlier than 1 July 2027. Dates and transition details may be refined, so check official Government information rather than relying on a static article. A dated review process is essential for this page.

Heather Senior Care can discuss its Support at Home services with families in its service area and help them understand practical provider questions after an assessment outcome.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is CHSP the same as Support at Home?

No. CHSP is generally entry-level support, while Support at Home is designed for more ongoing or coordinated support. Individual assessment determines the appropriate pathway.

Is CHSP ending now?

No. The Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) has been extended until 30 June 2029, so eligible older Australians can continue accessing entry-level support. The Australian Government has indicated that CHSP should remain a standalone program and will consult on its longer-term future. Australian Government CHSP announcement

Do I need to move from CHSP to Support at Home?

Not automatically. If needs have changed, ask the provider or My Aged Care whether a review or assessment is appropriate.

Can Support at Home include personal care?

A support plan may include approved personal care services where they are assessed as appropriate.

Who can explain which pathway is right?

My Aged Care can explain assessment and program pathways. Providers can explain the services they offer and how they may support an approved plan.

Chat With Heather - We're Here to Help

At Heather, we want you to feel supported by a team that knows you, listens to you and understands what's important to you.

If you'd like to talk about your personal care needs, your shower routine, or whether additional support could help you feel safer and more confident at home, we'd love to have a conversation. There is no pressure and no obligation. We're simply here to help you find the support that works best for you.

Call us on 07 3720 9122, speak with your Care Partner, attend an information session or submit an enquiry

Support at Home Program: A Complete Guide for Older Australians and Their Families [2026]

Aged Care Assessment: What to Expect and How to Prepare

Aged Care Options in Australia: A Guide for Families

Mature woman in her bathroom assisted by Heather, senior care nurse

Support at Home Personal Care Contributions Ending from 1 October 2026

I have been delighted with the level of professionalism at Heather Hill. Everyone with whom I have had contact there has been caring and knowledgeable about providing the best service possible for my needs.

My wife has advanced dementia and with the help and support of Heather Senior Care and our coordinator I have kept Anna at home. It has been wonderful and the support staff have been a wonderful help and support—it allows me to get out into the community and do what I need to do, like appointments.