The Commonwealth Home Support Program Alliance is a national advocacy alliance calling for the continuation, expansion and sustainable funding of CHSP as a foundational tier of Australia’s aged care system.
CHSP helps older people stay independent, connected and supported in their homes and communities. It is local, flexible, preventative and trusted.
As aged care reforms continue, the Alliance is advocating to ensure CHSP is not diminished, absorbed or underfunded — but recognised and strengthened as an essential part of the aged care system.
Our primary goal is clear: to secure the maintenance and adequate funding of CHSP as the primary tier of community aged care.
Why we are speaking up
Australia’s aged care system must give older people genuine choice about the support that best meets their needs.
For many older people, CHSP provides the right level of support at the right time. It enables early intervention, social connection, independence and practical assistance without requiring people to enter a more complex or higher-cost model of care.
The CHSP Alliance believes that older people should continue to have access to CHSP as a strong, sustainable and properly funded program.
We are advocating for a system that recognises CHSP’s value, funds it appropriately and integrates it more effectively with health and community services.
Our primary goal
The Alliance has one primary goal:
The maintenance and adequate funding of CHSP as the primary tier of the aged care system.
All members of the CHSP Alliance are united by this goal.
We believe CHSP must remain a distinct, accessible and sustainable program that supports older people to live well at home and in their communities.
Our advocacy priorities
The Alliance is calling for practical reform that protects CHSP and strengthens community aged care.
Primary Goal: Maintain and adequately fund CHSP
CHSP must be maintained as the primary tier of the aged care system and funded in a way that reflects the true cost of delivering community-based support.
Secondary Goals:
Formally recognise CHSP’s broader role
CHSP should be formally recognised for the important role it plays in supporting older people whose needs may sit between entry-level assistance and more intensive aged care.
Protect genuine choice for older people
Older people requiring secondary aged care should be offered a genuine choice about whether their support is delivered through CHSP or Support at Home.
Create a sustainable funding model
A new CHSP funding model should separately recognise the fixed and variable costs of delivering aged care in the community.
Better connect CHSP with primary health care
CHSP should be better integrated with primary health care, including opportunities for general practitioners to socially prescribe CHSP supports where appropriate.
Why CHSP Matters
CHSP keeps older people connected to home, community and independence
CHSP is more than a service program. It is a vital part of Australia’s community infrastructure.
It supports older people through practical assistance, social connection, preventative care and local service relationships. It also helps reduce pressure on more complex aged care and health systems by supporting people earlier and closer to home.
A strong CHSP means:
Older people have more choice.
They can access support that matches their needs, preferences and circumstances.
Communities remain connected.
Local services can continue supporting older people through trusted community-based relationships.
The aged care system remains sustainable.
Early support can help delay or reduce the need for more intensive services.
Health and aged care can work better together.
Better integration with primary health care can improve wellbeing and support earlier intervention.
Join the CHSP Alliance
The CHSP Alliance is open to organisations and individuals who support our primary goal: the maintenance and adequate funding of CHSP as the primary tier of the aged care system.
Membership is open to aged care providers, health care organisations, government bodies, not-for-profit and for-profit organisations, carers, older people, people with lived experience, academics, advocates and others across the care economy.
Support for the Alliance’s secondary goals is welcomed, but not required for membership.
By joining the Alliance, you can help build a strong, united and credible voice for the future of CHSP.
Our growing alliance
The CHSP Alliance was established by a network of Foundation Members committed to protecting and strengthening CHSP.
As the Alliance grows, this page will recognise the organisations and individuals who have joined in support of our primary goal.
Our membership reflects the breadth of support for CHSP across aged care, health care, government, community services, advocacy, academia and lived experience.
Help protect the future of community aged care
CHSP is essential to the wellbeing, independence and dignity of older Australians.
The CHSP Alliance is advocating for an aged care system that preserves choice, values community-based support and ensures CHSP remains strong, sustainable and adequately funded.
Whether you are an organisation, advocate, carer, older person, academic, health care leader or community member, your voice can help strengthen this campaign.
Help protect the future of
community aged care
CHSP is essential to the wellbeing, independence and dignity of older Australians.
The CHSP Alliance is advocating for an aged care system that preserves choice, values community-based support and ensures CHSP remains strong, sustainable and adequately funded.
Whether you are an organisation, advocate, carer, older person, academic, health care leader or community member, your voice can help strengthen this campaign.