26 Aug 2026

What Is the Difference Between the Commonwealth Home Support Programme and the Support at Home Program?

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Key Takeaways

• Both programs help older Australians remain at home: The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) provides entry-level support, while Support at Home is designed for people with higher or ongoing care needs.
• Support at Home replaced Home Care Packages on 1 November 2025: Former Home Care Package recipients were automatically transferred to Support at Home, with no gap in services.
• CHSP is still operating: CHSP continues to run as a separate program and is not expected to transition into Support at Home before 1 July 2029 at the earliest.
• Funding works differently in each program: CHSP is service-based with provider-set fees, while Support at Home is budget-based with means-tested participant contributions.
• Assessment is required for both programs: You will need to register with My Aged Care and complete an assessment before accessing either program.
• In some cases both programs can be used together: There are limited situations where Support at Home participants can also access certain CHSP services at the same time.

 

Since the Support at Home program launched in November 2025, many older Australians and their families have found themselves wondering how it differs from the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP), a program that has been in place for many years.

While both programs aim to help older people remain living safely and independently at home, they are designed for different levels of need, work in different ways, and are funded differently. Understanding the distinctions can help you or your loved one access the right type of support.

What Is the Commonwealth Home Support Programme?

The Commonwealth Home Support Programme is a government-funded program that provides entry-level support services for older Australians who need a little help to continue living independently at home. It is well suited to people who are largely self-sufficient but need occasional assistance with specific tasks.

Services available through CHSP can include:

• Domestic assistance such as cleaning, laundry, and errands
• Personal care such as bathing and dressing
• Meals and food preparation
• Transport to appointments and activities
• Social support to reduce isolation
• Allied health services and minor home modifications

 

CHSP is funded directly to service providers rather than to individuals. Providers hold grant agreements with the government and set their own fees, though they cannot deny services to someone who cannot afford to pay. Participants are generally asked to make a small contribution towards the cost of services.

CHSP is available to Australians aged 65 and over (or aged 50 and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples) and requires a My Aged Care assessment to access.

What Is the Support at Home Program?

Support at Home is the Australian Government's new primary home care program. It launched on 1 November 2025 and replaced the Home Care Packages program and the Short-Term Restorative Care programme.

It is designed for older Australians who need ongoing, higher-level, or more coordinated care at home. Support at Home is budget-based, meaning an individual care budget is approved and managed on your behalf, typically in quarterly instalments. You work with a single provider to manage and coordinate all your services.

Support at Home offers eight support classification levels, replacing the four levels that existed under Home Care Packages. It also includes short-term pathways for restorative care and end-of-life care.

Services are grouped into three categories:

• Clinical supports: Nursing, allied health, and personal care (from 1 October 2026, personal care becomes fully government funded).
• Independence services: Transport, social support, and some assistive supports, which attract a moderate means-tested contribution.
• Everyday living services: Cleaning, gardening, and meal preparation, which attract a higher means-tested contribution.

 

A lifetime cap on contributions applies across Support at Home and residential aged care combined.

What Is the Key Difference Between the Two Programs?

The simplest way to understand the difference is to think of CHSP as entry-level support and Support at Home as the main program for people with higher or ongoing care needs.

CHSP is best suited to someone who needs occasional help with a specific task and is otherwise managing well at home. Support at Home is designed for someone who needs coordinated, regular care across multiple areas of daily life.

The two programs also differ in how funding is structured. CHSP funds providers directly, while Support at Home allocates a personal budget to each participant. Support at Home also uses income and assets assessments to determine what participants contribute to non-clinical services.

Can You Access Both Programs at the Same Time?

In most situations, you will be assessed for either CHSP or Support at Home, not both. However, there are limited exceptions where a Support at Home participant may also access certain CHSP services at the same time. These exceptions include pre-existing social group activities, hoarding and squalor assistance, some respite services, and emergency support.

If you are unsure which program applies to your situation, or whether you might be eligible for both, contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422.

When Will CHSP Transition to Support at Home?

CHSP is expected to transition into the Support at Home program no earlier than 1 July 2029. Until then, CHSP will continue to operate as a separate program alongside Support at Home. If you are currently receiving CHSP services, your support will continue without disruption during this period.

The government has indicated that the transition will be managed carefully to ensure continuity of care for existing CHSP clients.

Do You Need to Do Anything Right Now?

If you are already receiving services through CHSP, nothing needs to change at this stage. Your support will continue as normal until the transition takes place.

If you were receiving Home Care Packages before November 2025, you will have already been automatically transitioned to Support at Home. You do not need to reapply, and your unspent funds carried over to your new support budget.

If you have not yet accessed any government-funded aged care, the first step is to register with My Aged Care at myagedcare.gov.au or call 1800 200 422 to request an assessment. An assessor will determine which program is most appropriate for your current needs.

How The District Nurses Can Help

Understanding which program is right for you or your loved one is not always straightforward, especially when programs are evolving and the rules continue to change. At The District Nurses, we are here to help you make sense of your options and access the care that best suits your needs.

We have been supporting Tasmanian families for more than 129 years, providing personalised care across nursing, personal care, domestic assistance, social support, transport, and allied health. Whether you are starting your aged care journey through CHSP or are already on the Support at Home program, we can help you feel informed, supported, and confident in the care you receive.

Contact The District Nurses today to talk through your home care options