• Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP)

    an older man and lady enjoying a hot drink sitting in their courtyard. She wears a summer dress and a dark blue sunhat.

The Commonwealth Home Support Program, or CHSP, provides entry-level support to help older people remain safe, independent and connected while living in their own home.

How to get started with CHSP

Step 1: Contact My Aged Care

Apply for an assessment through the My Aged Care website or call 1800 200 422. A family member, friend, carer or health professional can help you contact My Aged Care, with your permission.

Step 2: Have an assessment

An aged care assessor will talk with you about how you are managing at home, what is important to you and the activities you may need some help with.

You are welcome to have a family member, friend or support person with you during the assessment.

Step 3: Receive your assessment outcome

My Aged Care will send you a letter explaining whether you are eligible for CHSP and the services you have been approved to receive.

Your support plan will include a separate referral code for each approved service.

Step 4: Choose a home care provider

Your assessor can refer you directly to an available local provider. You can also use the Find a Provider tool on the My Aged Care website or call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422.

You can ask to be referred to Capecare or contact our Community team to find out whether we provide the services you have been approved for.

Step 5: Plan and begin your services

Once Capecare receives your referral, we will contact you to discuss your needs, goals, service availability and any contribution you may be asked to pay.

Together, we will develop a care and services plan outlining what support will be provided, when it will be delivered and how it will help you maintain your independence.

We will also provide you with a service agreement explaining your services, costs, rights and responsibilities before your support begins.

Capecare Social Centre clients and staff having a ball during a live music performance

Who is CHSP for?

CHSP is for older people who are generally managing well at home but need a little help with everyday activities.

It may be suitable if you or your loved one are beginning to find tasks such as cleaning, preparing meals, getting to appointments or looking after yourself or themselves more difficult, but do not require a higher or more coordinated level of care.

To be eligible, you must generally be:

  • aged 65 years or older
  • an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person aged 50 years or older, or
  • aged 50 years or older and homeless or at risk of homelessness.

An aged care assessment will determine whether CHSP is suitable for you and which services you are approved to receive.

CHSP services provided by Capecare

CHSP services provide practical, entry-level assistance to help you continue doing as much as possible for yourself.

Our approach focuses on working with you to maintain your abilities, confidence and independence, rather than taking over the things you are still able to do.

Depending on your My Aged Care approval, location and service availability, Capecare support may include any of the following.

Please note: The services you receive must be included in your My Aged Care support plan.

How CHSP funding works

CHSP is different from the Support at Home program because you do not receive an individual package, classification or personal budget.

Instead, the Australian Government provides funding directly to approved providers such as Capecare to subsidise particular services.

Your aged care assessment identifies the services you are eligible to receive. You can then connect with a provider that is funded and available to deliver those services in your area.

You may use more than one provider if one organisation does not provide all the services you have been approved for.

Approval for a service does not always mean it can begin immediately. Capecare will explain current availability when you contact us.

What will CHSP cost?

The Australian Government subsidises CHSP services. You will generally be asked to make an affordable contribution towards the services you receive.

Will I need to contribute?

You will usually be asked to contribute towards the cost of each service you receive if you can afford to do so.

You will not be asked to pay the full cost of the service, and there are no exit fees.

Your contribution will be discussed and agreed with you before your services begin and will be included in your service agreement.

How much will I personally pay?

The amount you pay will depend on:

You do not need to complete an income and assets assessment to receive CHSP services.

If you are experiencing financial difficulty, please speak with us. Your ability to pay will not be used as a reason to deny you an approved service, and reduced contributions or financial hardship arrangements may be available.

Capecare service prices

Capecare’s CHSP price list explains the contribution that applies to each service.

View our CHSP Price List or speak with our Community care team. We will explain the costs clearly and agree on your contribution before your services begin.

Why choose Capecare?

Capecare has been supporting older people in the South West for 65 years. As a local, not-for-profit organisation, we are committed to providing care that is personal, reliable and shaped around what matters to you.

Our experienced Community team can help you understand your funding, plan services that support your goals and adjust your care as your needs change. You will have a dedicated Care Partner to help coordinate your support and remain a familiar point of contact.

With services including personal care, nursing, allied health, help around the home, transport, respite and social support, we can provide practical assistance to help you stay safe, connected and independent at home.

And because Capecare also provides residential respite, residential aged care and retirement living in Busselton and Dunsborough, we can continue to support you and your family if your needs change in the future.

FAQs

CHSP provides entry-level assistance, generally for people who need one or a small number of services to remain independent at home.

Support at Home is generally for people with higher, more regular or more coordinated care needs. It provides an individual budget based on the person’s assessed needs.

Your aged care assessment will determine which program is most suitable for you.

The services you receive must be included in your My Aged Care support plan.

You can discuss your needs and preferences during your assessment. Contact My Aged Care if your circumstances change or you believe you need a service that has not been approved.

Yes. You may be approved for more than one CHSP service if your assessment identifies that you need them. You may receive these services from Capecare or use different providers for different services.

Not always. Service availability depends on whether an approved provider has funding and capacity for the service you need. Capecare will let you know whether we can accept your referral and when your service may be able to begin.

A referral code is a unique number listed in your My Aged Care support plan. You will generally receive a separate code for each service you have been approved for.

Your chosen provider uses the code to access the relevant parts of your support plan and accept your referral.

Yes. With your permission, a family member, carer, friend or other trusted person can be involved in your assessment, service planning and discussions with Capecare.

Please let Capecare know if your health, mobility, living arrangements or support needs change.

We can review your care and services plan and discuss whether you should contact My Aged Care for a reassessment. A reassessment may approve additional CHSP services or find that Support at Home is now more suitable.

Yes. You can choose another provider if one is available to deliver your approved service.

You may need to ask My Aged Care to reactivate your referral code before the new provider can accept it.

Capecare can provide additional support on a private fee-for-service basis, depending on service availability. Our Community team can explain the available options and costs.

Please speak with us. Being unable to afford the suggested contribution does not mean you will miss out on an approved CHSP service. We will discuss your circumstances respectfully and explain any reduced-fee or financial hardship arrangements that may be available.

Have further questions? We’d love to help.

Speak with our Community care team on 08 9750 2097

Or email community@capecare.com.au

Busselton

20 Ray Ave
Busselton WA 6280
Ph: 08 9750 2000
Fax: 08 9755 4696
reception@capecare.com.au

Dunsborough

171 Naturaliste Tce
Dunsborough WA 6281
Ph: 08 9786 5555
Fax: 08 9786 5508
reception.duns@capecare.com.au

Capecare Community Home Care

Ph: 08 9750 2097
community@capecare.com.au

Capecare acknowledges the Wadandi people as the Traditional Custodians of Noongar Boodja and honour Elders past and present. We recognise their enduring connection to this land and our shared commitment to care for our community.

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