Step 1.2.1

What is the Overview to the Commonwealth Home Support Program

Commonwealth Home Support Program

This program is right for you if you are an older person who can mostly – but not completely – live and cope on your own, and don’t yet need higher levels of support.   It aims to help you stay independent and in your home and community for longer.

The government’s My Aged Care will work out what’s best for you, based on an assessment by the Regional Assessment Service (RAS).

The program can also help your carer. If he or she needs to be absent the CHSP can arrange for someone else to help you. The program also helps provide respite services for carers. 

My Aged Care is the critical point for information and services. It provides:

  • A central record so your information can be shared with assessors and Service Providers
  • A consistent, streamlined assessment process
  • Access to relevant and accurate information
  • Referrals for assessments and services

My Aged Care also sets the priority for assistance, based on your need and the availability of carers.

To be eligible for this program you need to be at least 65 years of age or at least 50 if you identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person or you are on a low income, homeless or at risk of homelessness.

You will be expected to pay some money towards the cost of the services. 

Under this program, you will be managing your services yourself, rather than having someone else do that.  You make and cancel bookings as you need them and you handle the payments directly with a service provider.

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A special thanks to our contributors

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Jill Donaldson

Physiotherapist

Jill has been practicing as a clinical physiotherapist for 30 years. For the last 13 years she has worked solely in the Aged Care sector in more than 50 metropolitan and regional facilities. Jill has also toured care facilities in the US and Africa and is a passionate advocate for both the residents in aged care and the staff who care for them. She researches and writes for DCM Media.

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Chris Baynes

DCM Media, agedcare101

Chris has been a journalist and publisher in the retirement village and aged care sectors for 11 years. He has visited over 250 retirement villages and 50 aged care facilities both within Australia and internationally. Chris is a regular speaker at industry conferences plus is a frequent radio commentator.

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Annie Donaldson

Nurse and Carer

Annie has a long career in both nursing and the media. She has planned and co-ordinated the medical support from both international TV productions and major stadium events. In recent years she has been a primary family carer plus involved in structured carer support.