CHSP Programme Manual: Key Changes and Updates for Aged Care Providers
The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) has long been the backbone of early-intervention aged care support in Australia. For more than a decade, it has supported older Australians to continue living safely, confidently, and independently in their own homes and communities. But with aged care reforms accelerating across the country—and with the upcoming Support at Home Program reshaping how services will be delivered—providers can no longer rely on legacy knowledge or outdated versions of the CHSP Programme Manual.
Every year, new changes are introduced: funding rules shift, reporting expectations strengthen, assessment pathways evolve, quality and safety requirements expand, and new service delivery conditions are added. The CHSP Programme Manual reflects these ongoing changes and sets the foundation for a more consistent, accountable, and person-centred aged care system.
For providers, this means two things:
- You must stay compliant, because CHSP is now more tightly governed than ever.
- You must be proactive, because the transition to Support at Home will impact every CHSP-funded organisation.
This guide provides a deeply detailed, human-centred breakdown of the CHSP Programme Manual, incorporating the latest 2023–2025 reforms, funding changes, service updates, compliance requirements, reporting expectations, and transition details.
Whether you are an aged care provider, manager, assessor, coordinator, case manager, support worker, or community organisation, this comprehensive guide will help you navigate the updated landscape with clarity and confidence.
What Is the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP)?
The Commonwealth Home Support Programme provides low-level, entry-level home care support for older Australians who need assistance with daily living tasks. Unlike the Home Care Package (HCP) Program, which offers ongoing structured care, CHSP focuses on helping older adults maintain independence through early intervention, short-term support, and community-based services.
The CHSP Programme Manual reinforces the purpose of the program:
- To delay or prevent premature entry into residential aged care.
- To promote independence, wellness, and reablement.
- To provide targeted, needs-based services, not long-term dependency.
- To support social connection, community participation, and quality of life.
- To ensure equitable access to aged care for all older Australians.
The guidelines align CHSP with the broader aged care reform agenda, prioritising transparency, quality, consumer choice, and continuity of care.
The CHSP Programme Manual: What Has Changed?
The CHSP Programme Manual incorporates reforms introduced between 2022 and 2025, including:
1. Stronger requirements for wellness and reablement
Providers must now demonstrate:
- measurable wellness outcomes
- goal-oriented support plans
- progress-tracking
- reduced dependency where possible
2. New and reporting obligations
The manual includes:
- strengthened Activity Work Plan (AWP) rules
- new performance measures
- more detailed Data Exchange (DEX) reporting
- updated demand forecasting requirements
3. Greater alignment with the upcoming Support at Home Program
Major changes include:
- streamlined service types
- closer connection between assessments and service delivery
- more detailed documentation requirements
- preparation for new pricing and payment adjustments
4. Unit Pricing and Funding Changes
From 2023–2025, CHSP funding has been progressively moving towards:
- consistent unit pricing
- stronger cost-justification
- transparency in actual service delivery hours
5. New safeguards, quality requirements, and audit expectations
The manual reflects:
- recommendations from the Aged Care Royal Commission
- new Code of Conduct
- strengthened incident reporting under the Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS)
- stricter background checks and screening for the workforce
These changes mean providers must ensure:
- training and competency frameworks are in place
- quality systems meet audit standards
- consumer risks are well-managed
CHSP Service Categories
The CHSP Programme Manual clarifies service types and includes several adjustments. Below is a breakdown of the most current service categories.
1. Domestic Assistance
Support with household tasks such as cleaning, laundry, dishwashing, and meal preparation.
The manual adds:
- clearer reablement expectations
- limits on ongoing dependency
- new documentation requirements
2. Personal Care
Assistance with showering, dressing, grooming, toileting, mobility, and medication prompts.
The guidelines require:
- consistent record-keeping
- evidence of risk assessment
- staff competency verification
3. Social Support (Individual and Group)
Includes companionship, escorted shopping, social outings, and group social programs.
The manual emphasises:
- social connection as a measurable outcome
- inclusion for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities
- improved monitoring of attendance
4. Transport Services
Support for medical appointments, community activities, and essential errands.
The guidelines require:
- documented eligibility
- safety policies for transport providers
5. Respite Care
Short-term support for carers, including centre-based day respite, in-home respite, and emergency respite.
The policies add:
- more flexible emergency respite rules
- clearer guidelines for overnight respite
6. Home Maintenance and Home Modifications
Includes minor repairs, safety improvements, and modifications such as ramps or rails.
Updates include:
- improved risk assessment documentation
- new contractor compliance rules
7. Meal Services
Prepared meals, food preparation help, meal delivery, and nutrition support.
Updates include:
- strengthened nutrition standards
- allergen management requirements
8. Allied Health Services
Physiotherapy, occupational therapy, podiatry, speech therapy, dietetics, and other health services.
Updated manual places emphasis on:
- short-term reablement goals
- outcome-focused therapy plans
9. Care Relationship Support
Support for carers through education, training, and emotional support programs.
10. Specialised Support Services
Including dementia support, behaviour management, interpreter services, vision support, hearing support, and continence support.
The CHSP Programme Manual clarifies responsibilities, boundaries, and expected outcomes for each service, helping providers deliver safer, more effective care.
Eligibility Requirements
The CHSP Programme Manual clarifies who is eligible for CHSP support:
Eligible Clients Include:
- Australians aged 65+
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50+
- People requiring low-level assistance to remain independent
- Individuals assessed as suitable by the My Aged Care Regional Assessment Service (RAS)
Ineligible Clients
The manual clearly states that CHSP does not apply to:
- recipients of a Home Care Package (HCP)
- residents in permanent aged care
- clients receiving short-term restorative care
- people who already receive higher-level supports
Providers must ensure accurate verification and avoid duplication of funding.
Assessment Pathway
The CHSP Programme Manual provides clearer guidelines for assessments through My Aged Care.
Regional Assessment Service (RAS) requirements include:
- comprehensive, holistic assessments
- goal-setting based on wellness and reablement
- immediate referrals for urgent support
- consistent reassessment timelines
- new documentation standards
The policy reinforces that CHSP is not designed for indefinite care, and reassessments must occur when:
- needs change
- dependency increases
- a transition to HCP or Support at Home is needed
Client Contributions: Rules
Client contributions help ensure CHSP remains sustainable. The guidelines emphasise:
- capacity to pay must be considered
- fees must be fair and transparent
- no client should be denied service due to inability to pay
- providers must report contributions in DEX
- fee schedules must be publicly available
Providers must document:
- contribution policies
- hardship arrangements
- exemption processes
The Funding Model
The CHSP Programme Manual incorporates several key funding changes:
1. Activity-Based Funding
Providers must justify:
- outputs delivered
- number of hours
- cost per unit
- performance against the Activity Work Plan
2. Unit Pricing Alignment
A move toward consistent pricing across all CHSP services.
3. Performance-Based Funding Adjustments
Providers who fail to meet targets may see:
- reduced future funding
- increased audit scrutiny
- redirected service delivery allocations
4. Growth Funding
Applied only where:
- unmet need is demonstrated
- waitlists are validated
- regional demand supports expansion
5. Transition Funding (2024–2027)
Available to support preparation for the new Support at Home Program.
Provider Obligations
Providers must comply with strengthened obligations, including:
1. Quality and Safety Standards
Aligned with the Aged Care Quality Standards.
2. Workforce Screening Requirements
- NDIS Worker Screening
- Police checks
- Ongoing competency assessments
3. Incident Management
CHSP providers must now comply with:
- Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS)
- mandatory reporting of abuse, neglect, or harm
4. Documentation Standards
Providers must maintain:
- care plans
- risk assessments
- progress notes
- wellness and reablement records
- consent documentation
5. Cultural Safety Requirements
Especially for:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
- CALD communities
- LGBTQIA+ older adults
Wellness and Reablement: Strengthened Expectations
The CHSP Programme Manual places a stronger emphasis on wellness and reablement than ever before.
Providers must demonstrate:
- goal-oriented support
- measurable improvement
- reduced dependency where achievable
- short-term interventions
- active involvement of clients in decision-making
Reporting Requirements
The CHSP Programme Manual includes significant changes to reporting obligations.
Providers must now submit:
- Detailed DEX reports
- Updated Activity Work Plans (AWP)
- Financial acquittals
- Performance data
- Consumer outcomes reports
The reforms emphasise:
- improved data quality
- transparency in service delivery
- accurate forecasting of future needs
Support at Home Transition: What Providers Must Prepare For
Between now and July 2027, CHSP will gradually transition into the new Support at Home Program.
Key updates include:
- new assessment model
- new service types
- new pricing structure
- digital-first service delivery tools
- consolidation of multiple aged care programs
Providers must begin preparing now, particularly in areas such as:
- digital reporting capability
- workforce training
- documentation upgrades
- client reablement planning
- quality system improvements
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is the CHSP being replaced?
Yes. By July 2027, CHSP will transition into the new Support at Home Program.
2. Will clients need to reapply?
No. Existing clients will be transitioned automatically, with new assessments only where needed.
3. Are fees increasing?
The CHSP Programme Manual encourages fair and sustainable fees, but no client may be denied service due to inability to pay.
4. Can CHSP and HCP be used together?
Generally no, unless exceptional circumstances apply.
5. How often are clients reassessed?
Clients are reassessed whenever needs change, or when RAS identifies increased dependency.
6. Are providers required to deliver reablement?
Yes. It is a mandatory expectation under updated guidelines.
Conclusion
The CHSP Programme Manual marks a major step forward in Australia’s aged care reform journey. It strengthens accountability, improves clarity, and ensures that older Australians receive the highest standard of early-intervention support. But it also demands more from providers—more transparency, more documentation, better outcomes, and readiness for the transition to Support at Home.
For aged care providers, staying aligned with the manual is no longer optional. It is essential for compliance, funding security, and the long-term sustainability of your organisation. Providers who embrace wellness, reablement, quality, cultural safety, and data-driven service delivery will be best placed to succeed in the new aged care landscape.
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