Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP)

As you get older, everyday tasks can become more difficult. Even though you need help, you may still want to live at home. Asking for help doesn’t mean losing your independence or moving out of home. The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) can help you access entry-level support services to live independently and safely at home. CHSP works with you to maintain your independence rather than doing things for you.

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What is CHSP?

The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) offers entry-level services when a little support with everyday tasks could improve your health and wellbeing so you can continue living independently and safely at home.

Offered through a government funded program, CHSP gives you the choice and flexibility to receive services within your home to support your individual needs and goals.
Services you’ll be able to access will depend on the eligibility outcome of your My Aged Care assessment and the goals and needs you choose to be included in your individual service plan.

Support services can be one or a combination of:
• Domestic assistance with various essential and basic general household tasks including cleaning the home and laundry;
• Personal care including assistance with bathing, showering, dressing, grooming, and reminders to take your medication;
• Shopping assistance including grocery shopping, running errands, and making appointments;
• Respite care to support you and your carer, either during the day in your home, for personal outings, or overnight care;
• Social Support Individual including accompanied activities such as visiting services, shopping, bill paying, or attending appointments;
• Home or property maintenance to keep your home and garden safe;
• Home modifications including installing grab rails, ramps, and easy access taps;
• Meals on Wheels and meal preparation which cater for any special dietary requirements, available 7-days a week; and
• Transport to and from medical or hospital appointments, shopping, and when you’re unable to access another means of transportation. A regular community bus service also operates in Hamilton and Tarrington, and Glenthompson/Dunkeld and Coleraine.

We invite you to read the WDHS CHSP Handbook for further information about these support services.

Your CHSP funding may mean you can access physiotherapy, podiatry, exercise physiology, occupational therapy, speech pathology, dietetics, District Nursing and the Social Support Group offered by WDHS Primary & Preventative Health. To find out more information about these services contact our Intake Coordinator by phone (03) 5551 8087 or email wdhs.intake@wdhs.net

Accessing CHSP

The first step to access the CHSP is to book an assessment with My Aged Care. The assessment involves an Assessment Officer attending your home to determine which services would best support your needs and goals to enable you to continue living at home. Support is also available if you’re on a low income, are living with a hoarding behaviour in a squalid environment, or are at risk of homelessness.

Contact My Aged Care or call 1800 200 422 to answer a few simple questions in the eligibility checker tool or visit the My Aged Care Commonwealth Home Support Programme webpage.

Service and support needs you’ll be able to access will be determined by the eligibility outcome of your My Aged Care assessment. When you’re eligible for CHSP, you can apply for a free-of-charge home support assessment visit.

This visit is to learn about your day-to-day activities, your needs and preferences, and to find out what tasks you can comfortably do and which tasks you need support doing. You’ll also be asked what you want to be able to do.

Based on your home assessment the assessor will create a support plan with referral codes for specific service types. This support plan will be mailed to you. When you receive your support plan you need to contact the WDHS Community Services team on 03 5551 8480 to commence your services.

Our Community Support Workers support, assist, and work according to the needs discussed in your initial assessment and set out in your individual service plan. Wherever possible we make every effort to provide you with the same Community Support Worker so you can get to know and feel comfortable with them. Every effort is made to keep the same time and day and you’ll be notified in advance if alternative arrangements need to be made.

Your Community Support Worker will offer a professional and caring service which is sensitive to your needs. At all times, they will respect your privacy and confidentiality, your decisions and choices, and your cultural needs. They’ll treat you with dignity and take great care as they carry out the pre-agreed duties listed on your service plan.

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Fees and charges

The Commonwealth Home Support Programme is funded by the Australian Government. However, you’re expected to contribute to the cost of your care if you can afford to. The cost depends on the type of support you need.

Simple services like house cleaning and meals can cost a few dollars. More complex services like property maintenance will cost more. As the largest state-government funded aged care provider in the Western District, you’ll find more of WDHS support services in more communities across the region. Contact us when you receive your agreed individual service plan for exact costs.

Contact us to find out more

Opening hours:

Monday to Friday, 8am – 4.30pm
excluding public holiday

Address:

20 Foster Street, Hamilton VIC 3300

You can also view the WDHS Community Support Services Commonwealth Home Support Programme Handbook for further information.

Contact My Aged Care directly to arrange an assessment and find out your eligibility for CHSP.

Other programs

Image of an older couple gardening showing one aspect of assistance Support at Home can provide

Support at Home (SaH) program