Guide
The Commonwealth Home Support Program, explained
What CHSP is, who it is for, what we deliver under it, and what help around the house covers.
Back to Aged care
Aged care · Guide
What CHSP costs you
How the client contribution works, what happens if money is tight, and why your pension is not affected.
Nobody should find out what aged care costs after they have started using it. This is about CHSP. Support at Home contributions work differently, and they are set out in Support at Home, and how we work with Trilogy Care.
You contribute, you do not cover the cost
CHSP clients pay a contribution towards their services. The Australian Government funds the rest, and no provider may charge you more than the service actually costs.
Nothing starts before you have agreed the fee
We talk the contribution through with you and write it into a service agreement. Services do not begin until that is settled, and there are no exit fees.
If money is tight, say so
Every CHSP provider has to have a client contribution policy that takes into account what people can actually afford, including hardship. Ask us for a copy of ours and we will send it to you.
Your pension is not affected
The subsidy goes from the government to the provider, not to you, so receiving CHSP services does not change your pension.
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.
Talk to us about Aged care
Keep reading
More about Aged care
Guide
Respite for family carers
How CHSP respite works, at home or on a few hours out, and why it is worth asking early.
Guide
How to get aged care at home
The path through My Aged Care, the free assessment, and choosing who supports you.
Guide
Support at Home, and how we work with Trilogy Care
If your funding comes through Support at Home, you can choose us to deliver your nursing and personal care.
Guide
Your rights in aged care
Four of the rights in the Aged Care Act 2024 Statement of Rights, in everyday words.
Common questions
Aged care: common questions
Answers about eligibility, assessment, cost, respite, Support at Home, and what to do if you are not happy.
Accessibility
We want this website to work for you.
If anything is hard to read or unclear, email accessibility@