CHSP to Support at Home: What Existing Clients Need to Know
Already receiving CHSP? Your services aren’t moving to Support at Home just yet. Find out when the transition is expected, whether you need to take action now, and what to do if your care needs change.
If you receive services through the Commonwealth Home Support Program, also known as CHSP, you may be wondering when your support will move to Support at Home.
For most CHSP clients, the change has not happened yet.
Support at Home replaced the Home Care Packages Program and Short-Term Restorative Care Programme from 1 November 2025. However, the Commonwealth Home Support Program will become part of Support at Home no earlier than 1 July 2027.
That means current CHSP clients are on a different transition timeline from people who were receiving Home Care Packages.
What is CHSP?
CHSP provides entry-level support for older people who need some help to keep living independently at home and in the community.
It may include services such as housework, personal care, meals and food preparation, transport, shopping, allied health, social support and planned respite.
For many people, CHSP is designed for smaller amounts of support. It may suit someone who can mostly manage at home, but needs help with certain tasks, appointments, social connection or day-to-day routines.
Support at Home is different. It is designed to provide higher levels of in-home aged care for people with more complex needs, including care services, equipment and home modifications.
When will CHSP move to Support at Home?
The Australian Government has confirmed that CHSP will transition to Support at Home no earlier than 1 July 2027.
This is important because aged care has already gone through major changes, and it can be easy to assume all in-home care programs moved across at the same time.
They did not.
Home Care Packages and the Short-Term Restorative Care Programme moved to Support at Home from 1 November 2025. CHSP is continuing for now and will transition later.
Do CHSP clients need to do anything now?
If you are already registered with My Aged Care and have had an aged care assessment, your CHSP services can continue without interruption. Government guidance says you do not need to do anything if you were already registered and assessed by 31 October 2025.
If you are unsure whether you are registered or assessed, it is worth checking with your current provider or contacting My Aged Care.
From 1 November 2025, all people accessing government-funded aged care services, including CHSP, need to be registered with My Aged Care and have had an aged care assessment.
So the practical message is:
If you already receive CHSP and your needs have not changed, your services may continue as usual for now. If you are unsure about your assessment status, check early.
What if your care needs have changed?
Even though the CHSP transition to Support at Home is not expected before July 2027, your care needs may change before then.
This can happen after illness, a hospital stay, a fall, a new diagnosis or simply over time.
If your current CHSP services no longer feel like enough, you do not need to wait for the formal transition. You can ask for your needs to be reviewed through My Aged Care.
A review or reassessment may help determine whether you still need entry-level CHSP support, or whether a higher level of in-home aged care may now be more suitable.
This matters because the right support should match the person’s current routine, safety, health and independence at home.
Will CHSP services still be available?
Yes. CHSP is continuing for current and new clients with low-level support needs until it becomes part of Support at Home.
This is helpful to know if you are just beginning to explore aged care and have been told CHSP may be suitable.
CHSP has not ended. It remains an entry-level aged care program for eligible older people who need some support to remain living at home.
What should existing CHSP clients check?
If you currently receive Commonwealth Home Support Program services, it may help to check:
- Are you registered with My Aged Care?
- Have you had an aged care assessment?
- Are your current services still meeting your needs?
- Have your health, mobility or daily routines changed?
- Do you need more regular support?
- Would a review or reassessment be helpful?
- Do you know who to contact if you need changes to your services?
These questions are not about rushing the transition. They are about making sure your current support still fits.
How Leora Healthcare can help
At Leora Healthcare, we help older Australians and families understand their aged care options, including CHSP, Support at Home and in-home care services.
If you currently receive CHSP and are unsure whether your support is still enough, our team can help talk through what has changed, what support may be useful and what questions to ask My Aged Care.
You do not need to wait until the CHSP transition date to review your care needs.
If your needs have changed, or you are looking for more support at home, speak with Leora Healthcare today. We can help you understand your options and plan the next step.