With 38,000 seniors approved for the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) but still waiting for a provider, as of 31 December 2023, the Department of Health and Aged Care has found $100 million to entice new providers, already operating in the sector, to try to eradicate the backlog.
It states the money offered seeks to attract new providers to the CHSP, "who are currently providing similar services as an existing provider through the DoHAC, Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA), and/or the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
"Applicants who are successful in becoming CHSP providers through this grant opportunity will then be eligible to apply for the 2025-27 extension arrangements, once available," the Department states.
The Department is looking for providers who can increase the availability of domestic assistance, home maintenance, allied health, and transport services for older people living in the community.
Applications open 23 April 2024 and close 5 June 2024. The grants will be in effect from 1 October 2024 to 30 June 2025.
You can access information about the grant here.
Anika Wells, Minister for Aged Care, on 29 November last year delayed the transition of the CHSP into the new proposed Support at Home program to transition “no earlier than 1 July 2027”.
Instead, only the Home Care Package (HCP) Program and the Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) Programme will be rolled together into Support at Home from 1 July 2025.
