Aged care: common questions

Am I eligible for CHSP?

Broadly, CHSP is for people aged 65 and over who need some help at home, and from age 50 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. An assessor makes the actual decision. The full eligibility rules are on the My Aged Care website, and you can call them on 1800 200 422.

Do I have to be assessed before you can help me?

For government subsidised CHSP services, yes. You need to have been assessed as eligible through an aged care assessment. If you have not been assessed yet, call us anyway and we will talk you through how to arrange one.

How much will I pay?

You pay a contribution rather than the full cost, and how much depends on the type and number of services you use and on what you can afford. We agree the amount with you and write it into your service agreement before anything begins.

What if I cannot afford the contribution?

Tell us. Every CHSP provider must have a client contribution policy that accounts for hardship, and nobody should miss out on help they have been assessed as needing because money is short.

Can I get respite if I look after my husband or my mother?

That is exactly what CHSP respite is for. It is funded to support the care relationship, and it can be a worker coming to the house during the day or overnight, or a few hours out for the person you care for. The assessment will set out what has been approved.

Does CHSP cover gardening, home maintenance or nursing?

Those are all CHSP service types, though not every provider is funded for every one of them. Under CHSP we currently deliver domestic assistance, respite, and social support and community engagement. Tell us what you need and we will be straight with you about whether we are the right provider for it.

What is the difference between CHSP and Support at Home?

CHSP is the entry level: practical help for people who are managing at home and would manage better with a hand. Support at Home is for higher or more complex needs, and it replaced Home Care Packages on 1 November 2025. Your assessment decides which one you are eligible for, and some people move from one to the other over time.

I have Support at Home funding. Can I come straight to you?

Not directly, no. Support at Home funding is held by a registered Support at Home provider, and we are not one. What you can do is choose us to deliver your nursing and personal care through Trilogy Care, who we work alongside as an associated provider. Ring us and we will explain how it works.

What if I am not happy with the support?

Tell us first if you can, because most things are quickly fixed. You can also speak with the Older Persons Advocacy Network on 1800 700 600, or contact the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission on 1800 951 822. You do not have to raise it with us first.

Last reviewed 17 September 2026 by Steven Lowrie, Governance and Case Management Lead. Rules and funding can change. If something here does not match your situation, ask us.