The Truth About CHSP And Support at Home: Here’s What You Need to Know
If you’re currently receiving help through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP), you probably rely on that support to keep things running smoothly at home. Whether it’s help with the shopping, a hand with housework, or someone checking in for a chat – it matters. It makes life easier, safer, and more connected.
But lately, you might’ve heard the term Support at Home floating around. Maybe you’ve seen something on the news, or your provider has mentioned aged care reforms. And you’re wondering: What’s going on? Will my services change? Do I need to do anything?
You’re not alone in asking these questions – and the good news is: You won’t be left behind. Here, we break down what’s happening, when, and how these changes will affect you as a CHSP recipient.
What Is the Support at Home Program?
Support at Home is a new government initiative now in effect since 1 November 2025, designed to simplify and improve how aged care services are delivered to older Australians living at home.
Right now, we have multiple programs running in parallel – CHSP, Home Care Packages (HCP), and Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC). Each program has different funding models, rules, and ways of working – so naturally, it’s no wonder most people are feeling confused and uncertain about the future. That’s why we’re here – CareAbout works to simplify such complex change into actionable insights for ensuring you receive the quality care you deserve.
With Support at Home, all of these former programs, HCP and STRC, are transformed into one, more flexible and human-centric aged care reform.
What Will Change for CHSP Recipients?
Let’s compare how things look now under CHSP, versus what’s available under Support at Home:
| Feature | Current CHSP | New Support at Home |
| Funding | Services are block-funded to providers; you’re approved for set services | You receive a personalised care budget based on an assessment |
| Flexibility | Less choice; services are fixed and harder to change | More choice; services can be adjusted as your needs change |
| Assessment | Regional Assessment Service (RAS) for entry-level care | A single national assessment system for all levels of care |
| Goal | Entry-level help for daily tasks | Ongoing, tailored support – from basic help to more complex care |
To explore the full list of changes from Support at Home, please see our detailed guide here.
Will I Lose My Current Services?
No, you won’t lose the support you currently receive.
The Australian government has said that CHSP recipients will continue receiving services up to and during the transition to Support at Home. There will be no sudden cut-offs. No “starting from scratch.” Just a gradual, supported move to the new system.
You’ll even keep your same provider if you choose to, but the more important question here is – is it even worth still receiving CHSP over Support at Home? For Sally, the decision to move to Support at Home was an obvious one; Sally no longer wanted to just get by, and so she embraced Support at Home, which meant more care and greater value for her funding – see Sally’s story here.
What Does This Transition Look Like?
If you’re transitioning from CHSP to Support at Home, here’s what to expect:
- Keep receiving services as normal
There’s no change to your current CHSP support in the lead-up to the transition. - You’ll be contacted for a new assessment
At some point, My Aged Care or your provider will reach out to arrange an updated assessment. This isn’t a test. It’s simply to understand your current needs and to work out what your new budget will look like under Support at Home. - You don’t need to re-apply
Don’t stress about calling or applying for anything new. The transition will be managed for you – and you’ll be contacted when it’s your turn.
What Can I Do Now to Prepare?
Whether you’re wanting to make the move to Support at Home from CHSP, or simply gather more information to help you make an informed decision – here are a few helpful things you can do in the interim:
- Stay in the loop: Bookmark My Aged Care and ask your provider for updates. They’ll keep you informed as changes happen.
- Think about your current and future needs: Are there gaps in the support you receive? Could your needs increase over the next year? Make a little list – it’ll help when you’re reassessed.
- Update your contact info: Make sure My Aged Care and your provider have your latest phone number and mailing address so you don’t miss key updates.
- Talk to your provider: They’re your best ally in this transition. Don’t hesitate to ask questions, share concerns, or clarify what you need.
What Are the Benefits Of Support at Home Over CHSP?
Support at Home isn’t just a rebrand of CHSP. It offers several real improvements that make care easier and more flexible:
- More choice and flexibility: Instead of being locked into set CHSP services, you’ll have a personalised budget you can use across a wider range of support options.
- Support that adjusts with your needs: With 8 levels of ongoing support, the program can scale up or down if your situation changes.
- One simple system: Everything from basic help to higher-level care sits under the same program, so there’s no bouncing between CHSP, HCP and short-term care.
- Faster access to equipment and home modifications: Items like grab rails, walkers or ramps will be easier to get, thanks to dedicated funding for Assistive Technology and Home Modifications.
- Clearer pricing: Providers must publish their prices, and you’ll only be charged for what you actually receive.
In a nutshell, Support at Home offers more control, more transparency and a smoother experience as your needs evolve.
Need Help Understanding These Changes?
That’s where we come in – we’re here to CareAbout you. We understand this transition might feel like a big leap, and change can often be confusing and even scary, but just remember, as long as we’re here, you’re not making this move alone.
At CareAbout, we help older Australians and their families navigate aged care with confidence. If you’re feeling uncertain about the CHSP changes, or just want to talk to someone who understands how it all works, give us a call – we’re always here.
Your Trusted Guide to Quality Aged Care
Since our foundation in 2014, we’ve helped over 135,000+ families throughout Australia to find just that – quality aged care.
We were established by two founders in the same boat as too many Australians: Looking for quality care for their loved ones – and no idea where to begin.
We built CareAbout as a free solution to help people navigate the system and find the right aged care support they deserve and need. .
