Home Care Options for Self-Funded Retirees – Commonwealth Home Support Program vs Support at Home

Once you’ve taken the important first step of registering with My Aged Care and completing your assessment, the next question is often, what happens now? For many self-funded retirees, this is where decisions can start to feel confusing. Understanding the home care pathways available to you early can make a meaningful difference to how smoothly your care evolves over time. 

The home care assessment will determine whether you are entitled to the following two programs: 

Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) 

CHSP is designed for people who are largely independent but need some assistance with day-to-day tasks and are comfortable organising services individually.  

Support at Home 

The Support at Home program replaces what was formerly Home Care Packages, designed for individuals who need, or expect to need, ongoing or increasing levels of care, and provides a coordinated annual care budget with a single aged care provider to coordinate specialist care and budgets. 

What’s the Difference between the Commonwealth Home Support Program and Support at Home? 

 

Feature  Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP)  Support at Home 
Purpose  Entry-level, task-based support for those largely independent  Coordinated care from a dedicated aged care provider that will manage your budget for ongoing or complex needs. 
Services  Cleaning, transport, meals, social support, basic personal care  Support at Home offers a wider range of services which are organised into three categories:  

 

  • Clinical Care: nursing, allied health, continence support, nutrition.  
  • Independence: personal care, social support, respite, transport.  
  • Everyday Living: domestic assistance, home maintenance, meals, shopping. 

This means you can access more comprehensive support as your needs increase. 
Support Levels 
  • Designed for people with low-level needs.   
  • Task-based, no formal tiers 
  • Multiple suppliers. 
  • 8 classifications with defined annual budgets, ranging from around $10,732 per year (Classification 1) up to $78,106 per year (Classification 8).  
  • If your needs increase, you can request a reassessment to move to a higher classification without starting again. 

 
Assessment  Aged care assessment via My Aged Care  Aged care assessment via MyAgedCare 
Costs & Contributions   

These services are subsidised by the government and
individuals may need to pay a small fee per service towards
the cost.

 
  • Clinical care is fully funded 
  • Non-clinical services are subject to means-tested contributions, with a lifetime cap of $135,318.69 (indexed). 

 
Provider Choice 
  • Multiple providers for different services.
  • Individuals need to manage this process, and service providers themselves.  
 One provider manages your budget and coordinates suppliers.  You can switch at any time, and your budget comes with you.  
Flexibility  Limited Flexibility: 

New assessments are needed for additional services 

 High Flexibility:  

Adjust services within your budget without reassessment 
Best Suited For  Largely independent retirees needing occasional support  Retirees expecting ongoing or increasing care needs, or who want a flexible care plan 
Timeframe  It is proposed that CHSP will continue operating until at least 1 July 2027, then it will continue as Support at Home. Ongoing 

 

Choosing the right pathway 

CHSP is ideal if you just want occasional support, while Support at Home suits those who expect to need more regular or complex care over time. There is no single “right” option. What matters most is that you are already assessed and, in the system, so you can move between options without delay if your situation changes. 

Getting advice early 

Understanding aged care options early allows you to make informed, calm decisions rather than rushed ones. It also helps families support loved ones with confidence. 

We offer personalised aged care information sessions to help retirees and families understand their options and plan ahead. If you would like guidance tailored to your situation, we encourage you to complete the form below and schedule a confidential discussion.   

 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: The information is general only and has been prepared without consideration of your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. Before making any decisions, you should consider the appropriateness of your personal investment objectives, financial situation or individual needs. We recommend you speak to your financial adviser, registered tax agent or legal adviser before making any decisions based on this information.  

 

 

Emma Stoffels

Morrows Senior Financial Adviser

Emma Stoffels has over 20 years’ experience in the financial services industry and has helped wealth accumulators, retirees, and supported many women during her career as a Financial Advisor. She is a Certified Financial Planner and an Accredited Aged Care Professional. Emma is passionate about assisting clients from all walks of life achieve the best financial outcomes possible while building strong relationships with her clients. Emma’s particular areas of interest include Aged Care Financial Planning, Retirement Planning, Superannuation / SMSF and Goal Setting.

 

 

 

 


Want to learn more? Book an Aged Care Planning Session!

To understand more about the aged care process, the fees and key considerations, please complete the form below to access our Aged Care Planning Guide.

If you need further assistance, please reach out. Our Morrow Aged Care Financial Advisors are more than happy to help you and your loved ones.

Aged Care Guide

Related Posts