As your loved one grows older daily tasks may become more challenging. To keep their independence for as long as possible, additional support may be needed. The Australian Government recognises this need and offers several programs to help older adults maintain their independence.
With the sheer number of options available choosing the best one for your loved one can be difficult.
The two most common types of home care services are Home Care Packages (HCPs) and the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP), both of which aim to support older individuals but with some key differences.
To help you in your journey of choosing the right service, this guide will break down the key distinctions between HCPs and CHSP, covering their funding, eligibility criteria, assessment processes, and how to transition from CHSP to HCP when more support is required.
What Are The Key Differences?
The key difference is that with CHSP, only a limited range of services are offered. This program is often seen as an entry-level aged care program, that gives your loved one short-term support. Think of it as a focused program on helping maintain their independence at home with occasional care rather than providing intensive care.
CHSP services include:
- Domestic assistance (cleaning, laundry, meal preparation).
- Transport (to appointments, and social activities), can be particularly difficult in Brisbane with its heat and terrain.
- Social support (companionship, group activities).
- Personal care (bathing, dressing).
- Home maintenance (gardening, home safety modifications).
On the other hand, Home Care Packages are a coordinated package of services that cater to a wider range of needs. It is designed to support older Australians who require regular assistance to live safely at home.
If you choose this your family member would be assigned to one of four levels depending on the degree of support they need.
- Level 1 – Basic care needs (e.g., help with cleaning, and transport)
- Level 2 – Low-level care (e.g., personal care, meal preparation).
- Level 3 – Intermediate care (e.g., assistance with mobility, medication).
- Level 4 – High-level care (e.g., complex health and disability support).
HCPs are consumer-directed, allowing you or your loved one to have greater control over what services they receive. Meanwhile CHSP due to it being a list of prearranged services to choose from offers only limited flexibility.
In order to be eligible for both programs, your family member must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or hold a specific type of visa. They must be 65 years or older to qualify for CHSP and over 50 years or older for HCP.
Both programs offer similar support, but at different levels with HCPs offering a wider variety at a more frequent rate. The best one for your loved one depends on whether they need occasional/minimal assistance or if they need more regular and long-term care.
How Are They Funded?
A CHSP is government subsidised resulting in lower cost per person. It may also require you or your loved one to pay small daily fees depending on the types of services chosen. This lower cost means that anyone regardless of their financial situation can access the essential support services they require.
HCP is also government-subsidised but costs more as recipients are charged an income-tested fee based on their income. This fee is calculated using a formula that takes into account the individual’s income, assets and a basic fee.
Some full pensioners can be eligible to receive full subsidies. Though it does cost more, as there is greater control over how the budget is spent, it does mean your loved one will receive personalised care that meets their exact requirements.
How Are They Assessed?
The CHSP assessment is done by the Regional Assessment Service (RAS). It is a relatively simple procedure that is a face-to-face assessment that focuses on identifying the basic care needs your loved one requires.
The aim of it is to understand the level of care required to help keep your family members independent and still perform everyday tasks.
The HCP assessments are done by an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT). It is more comprehensive as it takes into account long-term core needs as well as your family member’s goals and aspirations. This level of detail helps ensure that the care provided is personal and tailor-made to their requirements.
Long-term support may be required if your loved one is deaf or blind or if they have a motor neuron disease.
This assessment lasts anywhere from an hour to an hour and a half and an outcome will be given within the next two weeks.
Based on what level of care that is chosen, your loved one will then be allocated between levels one and four. Depending on which level they are allocated to it may take anywhere from a few months up to a year to be allocated a package
When Should You Change From CHSP to HCP?
After carefully monitoring the care needs of your family member you may decide that CHSP support is no longer sufficient. This could be if their conditions worsen to a point where they need daily visits or have changes to their memory or ability to perform everyday tasks..
As soon as that is decided you should apply for an ACAT assessment, the sooner you apply, the sooner you get allocated a package. While waiting to receive this package many people choose to continue using CHSP support. During this time conduct as much research as possible in order to find the right HCP service provider that fits what you need.
Choosing The Right Support Package
Deciding between CHSP and HCP comes down to the level of care your loved one needs. If they only require occasional, low-level support, the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) is a cost-effective and flexible option. However, if they need ongoing, personalised, and high-level care, a Home Care Package (HCP) will provide comprehensive, long-term assistance tailored to their specific needs.
If you notice that your loved one’s care needs are increasing, it’s important to plan ahead and begin the ACAT assessment process early to avoid long wait times. In the meantime, they can continue receiving CHSP services while awaiting their HCP allocation.At Beacon Support, we understand that navigating aged care options can be overwhelming. Contact us today so we can help guide you through the process, from understanding eligibility requirements to selecting the right care package.
