Funding to deliver aged care services including domestic assistance, transport, allied health, meals and social support, helping older people live safely and independently at home.
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What is the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP)?
The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) is a key Australian Government initiative supporting older people to remain living safely and independently in their homes and communities. Through CHSP, eligible service providers can access funding to deliver essential aged care services, such as domestic assistance, transport, allied health, meals, and social support.
The CHSP framework offers several avenues for funding, each tailored to different needs in the aged care sector. Understanding these funding pathways can help organisations identify the right opportunity for their circumstances.
The CHSP offers three regular funding avenues, each serving a specific purpose:
Funding extension
Who is Eligible
- Existing CHSP providers with a grant agreement expiring on 30 June 2025.
- Must have received a formal invitation to apply from the Department of Health and Aged Care.
- Must be compliant under the 2024–25 CHSP agreement.
- In specific cases, organisations with current subcontracting arrangements may be invited if a provider is withdrawing.
What Activities Are Supported
- Ongoing delivery of entry-level aged care services for frail older people across Australia.
- Focused on maintaining essential support to promote wellbeing and independence in the community.
Examples of Projects Supported
- Continuing services such as meals on wheels, domestic assistance, transport, social support, and allied health.
- Services for older people aged 65+, or 50+ for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Funding Available
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Up to $7.22 billion allocated for the period 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2027.
Growth funding
Who is Eligible
- Organisations currently funded under the CHSP, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA), or the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
- Eligible entities include companies, Indigenous corporations, local governments, incorporated associations, and statutory entities.
- Trustees may apply on behalf of a trust if the trustee meets the entity type requirement.
What Activities Are Supported
- Expansion of CHSP services in response to growing demand and identified service gaps.
- Focused on priority Aged Care Planning Regions and specific service types.
Examples of Projects Supported
- Adding or scaling services such as Domestic Assistance, Home Maintenance, Transport, and Allied Health and Therapy.
- Expanding coverage into under-serviced areas or regions experiencing population growth.
- Inclusion of new providers already delivering similar services through other funding programs.
Funding Available
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$100 million allocated for the 2024–25 financial year.
Innovation funding
Who is Eligible
- CHSP providers with ideas to test innovative approaches to improve aged care delivery.
- Suitable for organisations aiming to enhance client outcomes through new methods or tools.
What Activities Are Supported
- Piloting new technologies, service models, or business processes.
- Initiatives that support wellness, reablement, and integrated care solutions.
- Addressing unmet or complex client needs in creative ways.
Examples of Projects Supported
- Developing digital apps to improve client scheduling or engagement.
- Linking multiple CHSP services into a single streamlined delivery model.
- Trialling culturally tailored programs for diverse communities.
Funding Available
- Funding levels vary by round.
- In 2019, 59 projects were funded from 78 invited applicants (out of 599 expressions of interest).
Current Extraordinary Opportunity – CHSP Emergency and Critical Need (ECN) Grant
In addition to the standard funding streams, the government is currently offering an extraordinary, one-off grant opportunity under the CHSP Emergency and Critical Need (ECN) stream. This ECN opportunity has been made available to address urgent, time-sensitive service needs.
CHSP Emergency and Critical Need level of support
- Maximum Grant Amount: $250,000
- Minimum Grant Amount: $25,000
CHSP Emergency and Critical Need objectives
This grant aims to provide financial support to CHSP providers to handle unforeseen and exceptional circumstances, ensuring service continuity and addressing critical needs stemming from emergencies like natural disasters, pandemics, equipment failures, and issues arising from service provider withdrawals.
Projects eligible for CHSP Emergency and Critical Need support
Eligible Projects:
- Emergency responses to natural disasters
- Addressing impacts from pandemics as declared by the World Health Organisation
- Equipment failure repairs and replacements
- Managing service shortages due to CHSP provider withdrawals
Ineligible Expenditures:
- Costs associated with service demand or expansion
- Expenses covered by other government sources or insurances
- Expenditures incurred before the approval of the grant
Other CHSP Emergency and Critical Need important details that you will need to know
Organisations eligible for CHSP Emergency and Critical Need support
Eligibility criteria for invited providers:
Category 1: Emergency (for one-off funding)
You must be an existing CHSP provider who has an executed Whole of Government grant agreement with the Commonwealth to deliver CHSP services that is due to expire on 30 June 2025 (or on 30 June 2027).
Category 2: Critical need – provider viability (for recurrent funding)
Be an existing CHSP provider who has an executed Whole of Government grant agreement with the Commonwealth to deliver CHSP services that is due to expire on 30 June 2025 (or on 30 June 2027).
Category 3: Service shortages – provider relinquishments (for recurrent funding to address service gaps)
Non-CHSP providers invited to apply by the department must be existing Commonwealth funded providers as listed below:
- An approved provider of Residential Aged Care and/or Home Care Packages funded by the Department of Health and Aged Care.
- A registered Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) provider.
- A registered National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provider.
- An Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation.
See the guidelines for full details of organisations eligible for CHSP support.
CHSP Emergency and Critical Need assessment criteria
Category 1: Emergency
- Emergency Need and Organisational Capacity: Assessing the urgent need, impact on service delivery, and the organisation’s capacity to respond effectively.
- Risks and Risk Management: Evaluating how the organisation plans to manage risks associated with the emergency response.
Category 2: Critical Need – Provider Viability
- Critical Viability Needs: Focusing on the impact on viability, funding, costs, client contributions, and specific location impacts.
- Organisational Capacity and Performance: Assessing how additional funds will maintain viability and ongoing service continuity.
- Risks and Risk Management: Reviewing implementation risks and mitigation strategies related to maintaining service continuity and funding usage.
Category 3: Service Shortages – Provider Relinquishments
- Service Delivery: Evaluating the applicant’s ability to deliver services effectively in new or under-served areas.
- Organisational Performance and Capacity: Assessing the organisation’s existing capabilities, governance, workforce, and readiness to provide services.
- Risk Management and Efficient Use of Funds: Analysing readiness, potential delays, and effective use of grant funds to ensure timely service commencement.
See the guidelines for full details of the assessment criteria.
How do I get the CHSP Emergency and Critical Need?
Applicants must:
- Read and understand the guidelines.
- Ensure eligibility for the funding. Applicants that do not meet all the eligibility criteria will not be considered.
- Demonstrate a strong alignment with the fund’s objectives.
- Provide complete information requirements.
Information to prepare for the CHSP Emergency and Critical Need application
The following documents must be attached to your application for it to be considered compliant and for it to proceed to assessment.
- proof of entity type
- bank verification (acceptable forms of verification include a recent bank statement, issued in the last 6 months, in a pdf file type. The bank account must be in the name of the organisation applying for funding. The transaction details and balances can be hidden but the BSB, Account Number and Account Name must be visible.)
See the guidelines for complete details of information requirements.
Applying for the CHSP Emergency and Critical Need
Applications must be submitted through the official GrantConnect portal before the closing date.
Register your interest with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this grant and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.
Commonwealth Home Support Programme resources
Is Your Business Eligible for This Government Grant?
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