As we age, many of us find ourselves needing a little extra help to maintain our independence and quality of life. In Australia, two primary programs cater to these needs: Home Care Packages (HCPs) and the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP). But what exactly are these programs, and how do they differ? Let’s dive into the world of aged care and unravel the mysteries of HCPs and CHSP.
The Landscape of Aged Care in Australia
Understanding the difference between CHSP and HCP is crucial for making informed decisions about aged care for Australians aged 65 and over. While both programs aim to support older Australians in maintaining their independence, they do so in different ways.
CHSP offers entry-level support with specific services to a larger number of people, while HCP provides more comprehensive, personalised care packages to those with higher needs.
The statistics show that women are the primary users of both services, making up 65% of recipients in both programs. However, the age distribution differs, with HCP serving a higher proportion of people aged 85 and over (41%) than CHSP (30%).
What are Home Care Packages?
Home Care Packages are designed to provide comprehensive, coordinated support for older Australians who require assistance with daily tasks, allowing them to remain independent in their homes. The packages are tailored to individual needs, ensuring that recipients receive the right level of support based on their situation. HCPs are available in four levels, offering a higher degree of assistance as needs increase.
The types of services covered by a Home Care Package can include:
- Personal care (e.g., bathing, dressing)
- Aged care home maintenance (e.g., gardening, repairs)
- Transportation
- Meal preparation
- Nursing care
- Social support
Home Care Package Levels
HCPs come in four levels, each offering increasing support:
Level 1 – Basic Care Needs
This package is ideal for those who need minimal assistance, such as help with household chores or social support.
Level 2 – Low-Level Care Needs
A Level 2 Home Care Package offers more support, including help with personal care, transportation, and basic home maintenance. This package is ideal for those who need assistance but can still perform most activities independently.
Level 3 – Intermediate Care Needs
For individuals who require substantial assistance with daily activities, a Level 3 Home Care Package provides services such as meal preparation, home modifications, and social support. This level is for people who require help with several daily tasks.
Level 4 – High-Level Care Needs
This package is designed for individuals with complex care needs who require ongoing assistance with most activities of daily living, including medical care and nursing services.
What is Commonwealth Home Support Programme?
The Commonwealth Home Support Programme provides entry-level support for older Australians who need basic help with daily tasks but don’t require the more comprehensive services offered through Home Care Packages. Commonwealth Home Support Programme is ideal for people who require occasional or short-term support, such as help with aged care home maintenance, cleaning, or transportation.
Unlike Home Care Packages, Commonwealth Home Support Programme is more of a “pay-per-service” model, where individuals receive specific services as needed rather than an allocated budget for ongoing support.
Services Offered Under CHSP
The Commonwealth Home Support Programme offers a wide range of services, including:
- Personal care
- Domestic assistance
- Meals and food services
- Transport
- Social support
- Allied health and therapy services
- Aged care home maintenance
Difference Between HCP & CHSP
The main difference between Home Care Packages (HCP) and the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) is the level of support provided.
- HCP offers more comprehensive, personalised, and long-term care for seniors, with four levels of care packages to suit different needs, covering services like personal care, nursing, and home modifications.
- In contrast, CHSP provides entry-level, short-term assistance for those needing basic support to remain independent at home, such as help with household tasks, personal care, and transport. Essentially, HCP is for higher, ongoing care, while CHSP addresses lower-level, immediate support needs.
Eligibility Criteria and Assessment Process
While both government-funded programs aim to support older Australians, they have different requirements and assessment processes. My Aged Care helps people start this process. This process determines people’s needs and directs them to one of two types of assessments.
Commonwealth Home Support Programme is generally for those who need low-level support. Here, you’ll undergo a Regional Assessment Service (RAS) assessment. While Home Care Packages caters to those with more complex needs, you’ll need a more comprehensive Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT).
In 2021-22, there were 2,73,000 home support assessments and 2,01,000 comprehensive assessments completed. Demand for both programs is high, with comprehensive assessments seeing 13% rise over the past decade. This shows a growing need for higher-level care.
Funding Models
While both programs involve government subsidies, there are differences in how care package costs are shared. HCPs, offering a wider range of services across four tiers, receive substantially more funding than CHSP.
HCP Funding Model
HCPs operate on a consumer directed care model. This means you have more control over the type of care and services you receive and how they are delivered. The government provides a subsidy to an approved provider, who then works with you to deliver services within your budget.
- Government funding: Allocated based on the tier level.
- Client contributions: Include a basic daily fee and potentially an income-tested care fee.
Funding Breakdown for HCPs
| Tier | Annual Funding |
| Level 1 | $9,000 |
| Level 2 | $15,750 |
| Level 3 | $34,250 |
| Level 4 | $52,000 |
CHSP Funding Model
Unlike HCPs, Commonwealth Home Support Programme services are typically subsidised directly by the government. You may be asked to contribute to the cost if you can afford to, but fees are kept low to ensure services remain accessible.
- Government subsidy: Provides a portion of the care package costs.
- Client contribution: Seniors are required to contribute a percentage of the total cost, typically around 10%.
HCP vs CHSP
| Feature | HCP | CHSP |
| Level of Care and Support | Comprehensive, ongoing care for complex needs | Basic, entry-level support |
| Eligibility Requirements | Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) | Regional Assessment Service (RAS) |
| Funding Arrangements | Flexible budget for various services | Government-subsidised with set fees |
| Service Flexibility | More control over care plan and providers | Less flexible |
| Duration of Support | Long-term | Short-term or occasional |
| Reassessment Frequency | Annually | As needed |
Choosing Between HCPs and CHSP
Assessing Your Needs
When deciding between HCPs and CHSP, it’s essential to honestly assess your current and potential future needs. Are you looking for basic support with a few tasks, or do you require more comprehensive care?
Long-Term Considerations
While CHSP might be sufficient now, consider whether your needs increase in the future. HCPs offer more scalability as your care requirements change.
Financial Implications
Both programs involve some out-of-pocket expenses, but the structures differ. CHSP generally has lower fees, while HCPs offer more financial flexibility but may require higher contributions depending on your circumstances.
Transitioning Between Programs
Transitioning between the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) and a Home Care Package (HCP) typically happens as an individual’s care needs increase over time. If someone receiving CHSP support finds that their requirements grow beyond the basic, short-term services offered, they may be assessed for an HCP. The transition process involves an evaluation by the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) to determine the appropriate level of care.
Moving from CHSP to HCPs
It’s common for people to start with CHSP and later transition to an HCP as their needs increase. This process involves a reassessment by an ACAT. Reassessments can be requested at any time if your circumstances change. But you can’t receive both at the same time.
Supported Independent Living
In addition to in-home care, many recipients of HCPs may also be interested in Supported Independent Living (SIL). SIL offers a higher level of care and supervision, allowing older Australians to live independently while receiving support with day-to-day activities. While not directly part of HCPs, many individuals transition to SIL as their needs increase.
Aged Care Home Maintenance and Support Services
Both HCPs and CHSP can cover services related to aged care home maintenance, such as gardening, cleaning, and minor repairs. These services are essential to ensuring a safe and comfortable living environment for older Australians and are often included as part of both programs.
You can choose the level of home maintenance support you need, from occasional help through CHSP to ongoing care through an HCP. For those living in specific areas, such as Burdekin, tailored home maintenance in Burdekin services is available to suit your specific needs.
Bur-del is a leading provider of aged care services in the Burdekin region. We are dedicated to helping older Australians maintain their independence and quality of life by offering a wide range of personalised home support services. As a trusted provider, we are committed to delivering high-quality care and support, ensuring our clients receive the best possible assistance.
Kindly contact us today to discover the Bur-del difference!
