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Commonwealth Home Support Programme
The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) is a government program providing help & support for older people requiring assistance to keep living independently at home.
What is the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP)?
The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) is a government program providing support for older Australians requiring assistance to keep living independently at home and in their own community. Completing everyday tasks can become more difficult as you age. This does not mean that you have to move out of your own home though. You may just require some in home support & aged care help to allow you to live independently with more confidence. The Commonwealth Home Support Programme helps senior Australians access entry-level aged care services to help them live safely at home. Rather than doing things for you, the aim of the CHSP is to work with you and help to maintain your independence.
How much does the Commonwealth Home Support Programme cost?
The cost of the CHSP will be dependent on how many tasks you require help with. The following tables details the fees applied to customers receiving services through the CHSP with Southcare.
| Support services (Monday - Friday) | Unit of service | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Personal care | Per hour | $10.00 |
| Domestic assistance | Per hour | $10.00 |
| Individual social support | Per hour | $10.00 |
| Gardening | Per hour | $10.00 |
| Home maintenance (gardening) | Per hour | $10.00 |
| Home modifications | Per hour | $10.00 |
| Meal preparation | Per hour | $10.00 |
| Social centre | Unit of service | Price |
|---|---|---|
| In-centre attendance | Per visit | $8.00 |
| Outing | Per visit | $5.00 |
| Individual program (singing, exercise class) | Per visit | $8.00 |
| Meal in-centre | Per meal | $8.00 |
| Transport | One way trip | $2.50 |
| Transport | Unit of service | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 10 kms | One way trip | $5.00 |
| 11-30 kms | One way trip | $8.00 |
| 30-60 kms | One way trip | $10.00 |
| 61-99kms | One way trip | $15.00 |
| Personal care | Unit of service | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday | Per hour | $14.00 |
| Sunday | Per hour | $16.00 |
| Public holiday | Per hour | $20.00 |
Please note non-essential services are not provided on weekends or public holidays. Essential services are personal care services. Support services are charged at a minimum of 0.5 hours and then 15-minute increments thereafter. Prices exclude GST which is not payable on co-contributions for Home and Community Care (HACC) and Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) services.
Frequently Asked CHSP Questions
What is the difference between Commonwealth Home Support Program and home care packages?
The Commonwealth Home Support Programme is a government program providing support for older Australians requiring assistance to keep living independently at home and in their own community. The CHSP is designed to provide entry level support to those who may find themselves seeking a little bit of help with some everyday tasks.
Home Care Packages on the other hand are designed to support those who require more complex aged care needs that go beyond what the Commonwealth Home Support Programme can provide. Home Care Packages offer a coordinated approach to the delivery of your in home care and can be tailored to suit your individual needs.
There are four levels of HCP support, and your level will be assessed by a professional assessor using a nationally consistent assessment framework.
The amount of funding you receive to put towards your home care differs between the CHSP and HCP. As the CHSP is designed for those who have lower care needs, the funding is less. As HCP are designed for those who have an increased level of care needs, the funding is higher.
What are the similarities between the CHSP and HCP?
Both the CHSP and HCP are funded by the government. This means that if you are assessed by My Aged Care and your care needs meet the criteria, you will receive money from the government to put towards your aged home care services.
The services you can receive on the CHSP and HCP are also similar. Depending on your care needs, you may require assistance in the form of gardening, showering, meal service or transport, for example.
What Services does CHSP Provide?
The CHSP offers a range of home/community services including:
- Social Support & Activities
- Transport
- Domestic Assistance
- Personal care
- Home Maintenance & Modification
- Nursing Care
- Respite Care
- Food Services
Who is eligible for CHSP?
Eligibility for the CHSP is based on your support needs and age. To be eligible for the CHSP program you must be aged:
- 65 years or older (50 years or older for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people), or
- 50 years or older (45 years or older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) and on a low income, homeless, or at risk of being homeless.
Check your eligiblity online and find out what services you could receive based on your needs.
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If you are considering aged care options for yourself or a loved one and would like some assistance, please checkout our e-book collection. These guides will provide guidance and help answer your questions.
