- 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.
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.