How Much Does Home Care Cost?

Your 3 options for funding your in-home care

There are now three main pathways to fund your home care support, depending on your needs, your eligibility, and your preferences.

Option 1: Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) – For basic help around the home

If you only need a bit of light assistance — like someone to help with cleaning, grocery shopping, meal preparation, or getting to appointments — you may be eligible for CHSP.

• This is usually for people with low or entry-level needs.
• Services are subsidised by the government, but you may still need to contribute a small amount (e.g., $5–$10 per service).
• You do not get a budget to manage — services are arranged directly with the provider.

Good for you if:
 You’re mostly independent but need help with a few tasks to stay that way.

Example:
 Merle, 83, still manages her own finances and health, but arthritis makes cleaning and shopping tough. She gets CHSP-funded fortnightly cleaning and community transport to medical appointments.

Option 2: Support at Home (SAH) – For more coordinated or ongoing support

Support at Home is the main government-funded program for people who need more structured, regular, or complex care at home. This includes personal care, nursing, allied health, social support, assistive equipment and more.

Good for you if:
 You need consistent help staying at home — not just once-off or basic tasks.

Example:
 Robert, 78, lives with diabetes and early-stage Parkinson’s. Through SAH, he receives personal care four times a week, monthly visits from a physio, and home safety modifications.

Option 3: Private funding (fee-for-service) – If you want control or if services you want aren't eligible

Some people prefer to pay privately for home care — either while waiting for SAH approval or because they don’t qualify, or simply want more flexible or immediate services.

• You pay out-of-pocket for each service (rates vary by provider).
• There are no government assessments or restrictions on service type.
• You can often start right away.

Good for you if:
 You want immediate support or are not ready to enter the aged care system.

Example:
 Grace, 70, has just come out of hospital and wants two weeks of private personal care and meal help while she recovers, without going through assessments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I combine CHSP and Support at Home?
 No — they are separate programs. If you’re eligible for Support at Home, you will no longer receive CHSP services once your new support begins.

Can I use my own support worker under Support at Home?
 It depends on the provider. Some allow you to nominate known workers, but they must be registered and meet compliance requirements.

How long does it take to get support started?
 It varies. After your aged care assessment and approval, you may wait weeks to months depending on your classification and provider availability. More here.

What happens if I don’t use all my Support at Home funds?
 You may be able to carry them over to the next quarter, but some unspent amounts may expire. Your provider can help you track this.

Do I lose funding if I take a break or go into respite?
 No, but you should let your provider know in advance. Short breaks won’t affect your ongoing classification.

Where do I apply or check my eligibility?
 Start at My Aged Care or call 1800 200 422 to begin your assessment process.

What should I do next?

📅 Step 1: Book your aged care assessment
Call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 to check eligibility for Support at Home or CHSP.

📋 Step 2: Get your documents ready
 Gather details on your medical needs, medications, daily routines, and income information.

📢 Step 3: Call us on 1800 960 223
 We’ll help you understand your options and get the support you need.