⚡ TL;DR – Quick Summary
- CHSP (Commonwealth Home Support Programme) is an entry-level program for older Australians who need only a small amount of help at home.
- Support at Home is the newer, more comprehensive program. It fully replaced Home Care Packages from 1 November 2025.
- CHSP is still active but offers limited services; Support at Home covers clinical care, allied health, personal care and more.
- Ideally Home Care is a Support at Home provider, not a CHSP provider.
- If you’re on CHSP but need more support, you can request a reassessment through My Aged Care.
- To apply for Support at Home, contact Ideally or start at My Aged Care.
If you’ve been researching home care for yourself or a loved one, you may have come across two different program names, CHSP (Commonwealth Home Support Programme) and Support at Home, and wondered what the difference is. You’re not alone. Many people contact us confused about which program applies to them.
Here’s a plain-English explanation.
What Is CHSP?
The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) is an entry-level government program that provides basic assistance at home for older Australians. It is designed for people who need just a small amount of help to remain living independently.
Typically, CHSP support might look like:
CHSP is still operating. It hasn’t gone away. It continues to provide that initial, entry-level layer of support for seniors who need only occasional assistance.
Important: Ideally Home Care is not a CHSP provider. If you have been approved for CHSP only, you will need to find a local CHSP provider through the Commonwealth Government’s My Aged Care website:
👉 Find a CHSP provider at myagedcare.gov.au
What Is Support at Home?
The Support at Home program is the government’s newer, more comprehensive home care program. From 1 November 2025, it fully replaced the former Home Care Package program.
Support at Home is designed for people who need a wider, more flexible range of services. Not just basic help, but genuine ongoing support across multiple areas of daily life.
Services available through Support at Home include (but are not limited to):
Ideally Home Care is an approved and experienced provider of the Support at Home program, serving clients across the North Coast of NSW including the Northern Rivers, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Mid North Coast, Tweed Heads and Coolangatta.
Related: Support at Home Program | Everyday Living Support Services Explained
How Do the Two Programs Compare?
WHO IT’S FOR
CHSP: People who need a small amount of entry-level help
Support at Home: People who need ongoing, flexible or more complex support
LEVEL OF SUPPORT
CHSP: Typically 1-2 hours per week for basic tasks
Support at Home: A much wider range of services tailored to your needs
SERVICES AVAILABLE
CHSP: Limited. Mainly cleaning, transport, social support
Support at Home: Comprehensive. Clinical care, allied health, personal care and more
IDEALLY PROVIDER?
CHSP: No
Support at Home: Yes ✓
Program Status at a Glance
✅ CHSP – Still active
Continues to operate as the entry-level support program for older Australians
✅ Support at Home – Fully launched from 1 November 2025
Replaced the former Home Care Package program; government subsidised, tiered funding
If you’re unsure which program applies to you, check your My Aged Care approval letter or call 1800 200 422.
Which Program Am I On?
If you’ve been assessed through My Aged Care, your approval letter or your My Aged Care online account will show which program you’ve been approved for.
If you’re unsure, you can call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422.
Related: How to Prepare for Your Aged Care Assessment | Government Subsidised Care
What If I’m on CHSP But Want More Support?
If you currently receive CHSP but your needs have grown and you feel you need more comprehensive support, you can request a reassessment through My Aged Care. A reassessment may determine that you are eligible for Support at Home funding instead.
We’re happy to have a friendly conversation about what’s available and whether Support at Home might be right for you, even if we can’t directly assist with CHSP services.
How to Request a Reassessment
Related: Switching to a New Support at Home Provider
How Do I Apply for Support at Home?
The application process starts with My Aged Care. You can learn more about how the process works on our Government Subsidised Care page, or contact us and we’ll walk you through it in plain English.
Related: How to Apply for Support at Home | Spending Your Support at Home Budget
Ready to Get Started with Support at Home?
Ideally Home Care serves clients across the North Coast of NSW. Find care close to home.
Northern Rivers · Clarence Valley · Coffs Harbour · Mid North Coast · Tweed Heads · Coolangatta
Ideally Home Care · ABN: 84 603 341 144 · Serving the North Coast of NSW including Northern Rivers, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Mid North Coast, Tweed Heads & Coolangatta
