What is a CHSP referral code?
A CHSP referral code is a unique code issued by My Aged Care after you have been assessed and approved for Commonwealth Home Support Program services. It allows an approved provider to view your referral details and begin arranging services.
Key points
A CHSP referral code allows providers to access your approved referral.
It does not guarantee immediate service availability.
Multiple providers can sometimes receive referrals.
Referral codes should be kept handy when contacting providers.
Contact My Aged Care if your referral has expired or no provider can assist.
A CHSP referral code is essentially your permission slip for a provider to access your approved aged care referral through the My Aged Care system.
After your aged care assessment, My Aged Care may approve you for one or more CHSP services, such as:
domestic assistance
personal care
meals
transport
allied health services
social support
respite care.
Each approved service usually generates a referral that can be sent to one or more providers. The referral includes a unique code, sometimes called a referral code or referral number.
The provider uses this code to:
access your referral information
review the services you have been approved for
contact you about availability and fees
accept the referral and commence services.
A referral code does not guarantee immediate services.
Providers may still:
have waiting lists
have limited capacity in your area
decide they are not the right provider for your needs.
If one provider cannot assist, My Aged Care can often issue additional referrals to other providers.
Explore only what you need
Start with the sections that feel useful now. You can come back to the others later.
01Guide sectionHow do I receive my referral code?
Your referral code may be provided:
verbally over the phone
in a letter from My Aged Care
through your My Aged Care Online Account
via a family member or representative who manages your aged care matters.
It is a good idea to keep a record of your referral code, as providers may ask for it when you first make contact.
02Guide sectionDoes the referral expire?
CHSP referrals generally remain active for a period of time, but they are not intended to remain unused indefinitely.
If:
your needs change
a long period has passed
all providers decline the referral
the referral expires
you may need to contact My Aged Care to request a new referral or reassessment.
03Guide sectionWhat should I do next?
If you have been assessed but have not heard from a provider, contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 and ask:
Which services have I been approved for?
Which providers have received my referral?
What is my referral code?
Is my referral still active?
If providers have long waiting lists, ask whether additional referrals can be issued to other local providers.
04Guide sectionHelpful Local Home Help resources
05Guide sectionCheck the official guidance
Referral arrangements can change and individual circumstances vary. If you are unsure whether your referral remains active, contact My Aged Care directly.
Official information can be found at:
https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/commonwealth-home-support-program-chsp-2025-27-manual
The CHSP Manual confirms that providers generally require an accepted My Aged Care referral before commencing subsidised services and that referrals are managed through the My Aged Care system.
Want to apply this answer to your situation?
Liz already knows which guidance page you are reading, so you can ask a follow-up without starting the topic again.