Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP)

CHSP is the ‘entry level’ of government-subsidised home support. It typically provides a modest amount of assistance (typically around a couple of hours a week) from a predefined menu of services, including domestic assistance, transportation, meal preparation, and other related services. It’s ideal if you’re mostly independent but need a hand with heavier tasks, can’t drive for a while, or want short-term help after a hospital stay, though many people use CHSP on an ongoing basis. You’ll access only the specific services approved for you.

You pay a subsidised rate for the services you use (the government covers most of the cost). CHSP is not means-tested. To get started, you’ll need a referral through My Aged Care.

Support at Home

Support at Home is the new, more flexible way to fund in-home aged care. After your My Aged Care assessment, you’re approved with a classification that sets your funding level. There are eight classifications for ongoing services, as well as short-term options for restorative care, end-of-life care, assistive technology, and home modifications. Your care and services are then tailored to your goals and needs from the Support at Home service list (clinical supports, independence supports, and everyday living).

You’ll work with us to create a care plan and individualised budget, and your funding is set out in quarterly budgets so you always know what’s available. Unused funds can roll over (up to the program’s limits).

What you might pay under Support at Home

Support at Home has participant contributions set by Services Australia based on your income and assets. What you pay also depends on the type of service: clinical supports (like nursing and many allied health services) have no participant contribution; independence supports (e.g., personal care) have moderate contributions; everyday living supports (e.g., cleaning, gardening) have higher contributions. We’ll help you understand your costs.

If you’d like help deciding whether CHSP or Support at Home is right for you, or to book an assessment, contact BCC. We’ll guide you through the next steps.

If you live in the Thornton, Beresfield, Woodberry, Maitland, East Maitland, Hexham, Metford, Raymond Terrace, Black Hill, Millers  Forest, Ashtonfield, Cessnock and Wallsend area, we can help you. We have a great team of local staff and volunteers available to help you with the things you need to do.

Small teams are assigned to you to provide your service. This is to ensure, where practical, that the same people provide assistance. You’ll meet the members of your team and they will always have up-to-date information about your circumstances, so you receive seamless support.

At times, due to illness or leave, your regular worker may be unavailable. When this occurs we offer you an alternative worker. In some instances, you may prefer to wait until the worker returns - it's up to you.

We operate with morning and afternoon shifts for domestic assistance such as help around the home, or transport for grocery shopping. On the day we can provide a more specific time to reduce the need for waiting around.

If you have a medical appointment, a specific time will be arranged to suit your needs.

Please let us know if you are going away. You can phone or notify us in writing or email and we’ll put the service on hold for an agreed length of time.

It’s important to tell us so we keep the service on hold for your return. If you do not advise us, this may impact on you receiving future services or you may incur a cancellation fee.

Please note 24 hours notice is required to change or cancel regular services. This enables us to reschedule your worker’s duties and help other clients. You may be charged a cancellation fee if we are not advised, other than in an emergency situation such as unexpected hospitalisation.

Support at Home

With Support at Home, you receive an individual budget (set by your assessment and goals) to pay for your approved services. Costs are drawn from your Support at Home budget, and you may have a government-set participant contribution depending on your circumstances and the type of support.

View our Support at Home contribution prices here.

Depending on your circumstances, assessment, your budget balance and the type of service or support you need, we offer after hours and weekend services. Your Case Manager will discuss the best option for you to keep you safe and well at home.

Please call customer service on 4964 1131, Monday - Friday 7.30am - 5.00pm to discuss your specific needs.

We provide transport in around the local area as well as to the major hospitals in Newcastle and surrounding areas. 

We may also be able to provide transport to outer areas on request, please phone the office on 4964 1131 to enquire.