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The new Commonwealth Home Support Program
The new Commonwealth Home Support Program starts 1 July 2015.
Minister Fifield announced on 18th December 2014 that the Government will provide two years of funding to service providers like Care Assess with contracts under existing programs that will form the CHSP.
This will provide a degree of continuity and certainty for us and other providers, along with our clients!
The introduction of the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) is one of the changes the Australian Government is making to help older people to stay independent and in their homes and communities for longer
From 1 July 2015 four existing programmes will be consolidated into the CHSP, the:
- Commonwealth Home and Community Care (HACC) Program;
- National Respite for Carers Program (NRCP);
- Day Therapy Centres (DTC) Program; and
- the Assistance with Care and Housing for the Aged (ACHA) Program.
The new CHSP will build on the strengths of the programs it replaces and will continue to support around 550,000 older people and their carers, every year. Importantly, people receiving services under the existing programs will continue to receive the same level of support now and when the CHSP begins. CHSP funding will be around $1.7 billion in 2015-16, which will continue to grow over the coming years, resulting in more services for more people
The CHSP will be the entry level of Australia’s aged care system for older people who need assistance with daily living to remain living independently at home. Carers of these clients will also benefit from services provided through the CHSP
From 1 July 2015, older people and carers seeking assistance will benefit from a single entry point for services through My Aged Care, and a standardised national assessment process delivered through the My Aged Care Regional Assessment Service
Upcoming consultation
The Department will release the draft national CHSP fees policy and the draft Programme Manual in early 2015. Care Assess’ Senior Management Team will be reading them very carefully, seeking your input, and providing feedback to the Department before they are finalised.
