Commonwealth Home Support
About Commonwealth Home Support
The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) is an entry-level aged care program. It funds lower-level, often occasional support such as domestic assistance, transport, home maintenance or social support.
It suits older people who are still largely independent but benefit from some help to stay at home safely. It is generally simpler to access than packaged care, and it funds specific services directly through CHSP providers rather than an individual budget. Structure and even names are still being reformed, so confirm current details with My Aged Care (1800 200 422).
At a glance
- Entry-level support, often occasional.
- Examples: domestic assistance, transport, home maintenance, social support.
- Funds specific services, not an individual budget.
- Confirm what applies now with My Aged Care: 1800 200 422.
This is general information, not financial or funding advice. Program names, amounts and eligibility rules change over time. Always confirm current detail with the relevant official body before relying on it.
How to prepare before arranging support
- Contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 to confirm what applies now.
- Decide which services you need, such as domestic assistance, transport, home maintenance or social support.
- Ask CHSP providers about the specific services they fund directly.
Information and records to have ready
- My Aged Care reference number and assessment outcome
- Support plan, approval notices and provider agreement
- Current fee schedule, budget statements and invoices
- Health, safety and communication information shared with consent
Questions to ask a provider
- Are you approved to deliver the current program and required services?
- What fees, contributions, management charges, travel or establishment costs apply?
- When can support start, and what happens if needs increase or a regular worker is absent?
- How are service changes, complaints and moving to another provider handled?
- Which costs are government funded and which remain the person’s responsibility?
Common mistakes to avoid
- Relying on an old program name or fee description
- Comparing headline prices without all recurring charges
- Assuming approval means immediate provider capacity
- Signing before understanding suspension, change and exit terms
Frequently asked questions
Who is the Commonwealth Home Support Programme for?
Older people who are still largely independent but benefit from some help to stay at home safely. It funds specific services through CHSP providers, not an individual budget.
Who can confirm what Commonwealth Home Support means for me?
Ask My Aged Care. A provider can explain its services and billing, but it cannot make a binding funding decision for the responsible body.
Does a provider listing prove it accepts commonwealth home support?
No. A directory or public-register listing describes a provider and the supports it lists. Confirm the funding arrangement, approval and current availability with the provider before booking.
What if the rules or my circumstances change?
Check the current guidance with My Aged Care, tell your providers promptly and update written agreements or approvals before relying on the changed arrangement.
Official sources
Other Aged Care topics
Browse providers or explore other funding topics.
Helpful reading
- NDIS jargon explained: the terms you will hear and what they mean: Plans, supports, coordinators, managers, registered providers: a plain-language glossary of the words that come up most often.
- NDIS or My Aged Care: which system supports you?: Two government systems support people with disability and older people. Here is how to think about which one applies and what to do if you are not sure.
- Keeping records of your NDIS supports: a simple system: Good records make plan reviews, claim queries and changes of provider far easier. Here is a light-touch way to keep them.