Good news for older Australians – CHSP funding extended

For many older people, staying independent is about having the right support at the right time. A lift to an appointment, help with shopping, a social group for company, home maintenance, or assistance to stay safe and connected can make all the difference.

That is why the Australian Government’s decision to extend the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) and retain it as a separate program is such welcome news for older Australians, their families, and community service providers. The Government has announced CHSP funding will continue until 30 June 2029, as it works with the sector to strengthen and improve the program.

Why this matters

CHSP is Australia’s entry-level aged care program. It supports older people who want to remain living independently at home with practical assistance and social connection. Across Australia, more than 800,000 older people rely on CHSP services each year. These services help people:

• Stay connected to their community
• Maintain independence at home
• Access transport and essential daily supports
• Reduce social isolation and loneliness
• Delay or avoid more intensive care services
• Improve health, wellbeing and quality of life

For many people, CHSP is the support that prevents a crisis before it happens.

A positive outcome for older people

The extension provides certainty for current CHSP clients and people who may need support in the future.

Importantly, it also recognises that CHSP serves a different purpose to higher-intensity aged care programs. CHSP focuses on prevention, early intervention and community connection.

This decision means older Australians can continue to access the practical, low-barrier supports that help them remain active, independent and engaged in their communities.

Your Side’s advocacy

At Your Side Australia, we have consistently advocated for CHSP to remain a distinct, community-based program.

Over the past two years, we have joined with other providers and sector leaders to raise concerns about the proposed transition of CHSP into the Support at Home program. We have argued that any future changes must be evidence-based, carefully designed, and developed in partnership with older people and providers.

Our position has been consistent:

• CHSP plays a unique and important role in the aged care system.
• Early intervention and preventative support should be protected.
• Older people should not experience disruption to services they rely on.
• Any future reform must be shaped through genuine consultation and co-design.
• Community-based services remain critical, particularly for vulnerable, regional, First Nations and culturally diverse communities.

We are pleased to see many of these themes reflected in recent national discussions about the future of CHSP. The Senate Committee examining the proposed CHSP transition recommended retaining CHSP as a separate program and extending funding to allow more consultation, evidence gathering and co-design.

What this means for Your Side clients

For our clients and their families, the message is simple:

Your services continue.

If you currently receive CHSP services through Your Side, there is no immediate change to the support you receive.

The extension provides greater certainty while governments, providers and older people work together to shape the future of community aged care.

We will continue to:

• Deliver quality, person-centred services
• Advocate for older people and carers
• Keep clients informed about any future changes
• Work with government and sector partners to improve the aged care system

Looking ahead

This announcement creates an opportunity to get the future of community aged care right.

The next few years should focus on listening to older people, learning from what works, addressing gaps in the system, and ensuring services remain accessible and sustainable.

At Your Side, we believe every older person deserves support that helps them live independently, stay connected to their community, and maintain choice and control over their lives.

The extension of CHSP is a positive step towards that goal.

Need support?

If you would like to learn more about CHSP services or discuss support options for yourself or a family member, contact the Your Side team. We’re here to help you navigate aged care and remain living well at home.