CHSP secured till 2029 as Labor listens to feedback

The federal government has moved to end the uncertainty surrounding the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP), announcing the program will continue until at least June 2029 and remain separate from the new Support at Home system.

The decision affects more than 830,000 older Australians who rely on CHSP services and the approximately 1,300 providers delivering support across the country.

Health and Ageing Minister Mark Butler said the government had listened to concerns raised by providers and consumers about the future of the program.

“I know how much this program means to older Australians, their families and communities,” he said.

“We have listened to the feedback people have given us about CHSP, and we're giving providers and older Australians the certainty they need to continue while the future of the program is developed.”

The announcement follows sustained advocacy from aged care providers, consumer groups and sector leaders who have argued that CHSP plays a unique role in helping older Australians remain independent and age in place.

Earlier this year, the newly formed CHSP Alliance called on the government to retain the program as a standalone service, a Senate inquiry followed suit, recommending that CHSP remain separately funded and not be absorbed into Support at Home.

CHSP is often the first point of contact with aged care for older Australians, providing lower-level supports such as domestic assistance, meals, transport, shopping, home maintenance, social support and allied health services.

A key issue raised by local councils and community providers in recent years has been uncertainty over future funding arrangements. The government said existing contracts will now continue without interruption until June 2029, removing a major source of concern for providers considering their long-term viability.

Aged Care and Seniors Minister Sam Rae said continuity of care has been a key priority.

“830,000 older Australians rely on these services. Today we’re giving them the certainty they need that their care will not change while we plan for the future of CHSP,” he said.

“We said we would listen before we made decisions about the future of this program. Providers told us they needed certainty to keep their doors open, and older people told us they wanted continuity – and we'll continue to listen as we deliver the program people want into the future.”

The extension will support a diverse network of providers, including local governments, state governments, not-for-profit organisations and community groups. Many operate in regional, rural and remote areas where alternative aged care services can be limited. Almost 40 per cent of CHSP clients live outside Australia’s major cities.

The government said the extension period will be used to consult on CHSP’s long-term future, including how it can be better integrated with Support at Home while maintaining its distinct role within the aged care system.

Minister Rae said the program’s focus on preventative and community-based services was an important part of the broader aged care landscape.

“Block funded, community-based services do something Support at Home was never designed to do – they keep people well and independent before they need more intensive support,” he said.

“There is a continuing role for that system and we are going to design it properly, with the people who deliver it and the people who use it.”

Consultation on the future structure of CHSP is expected to begin later this year. The government said discussions would examine how block funding could be maintained, how contributions to home care costs can remain fair and equitable, and how early intervention services can help reduce pressure across the aged care system.