Can a CHSP provider place me on a waiting list?

Commonwealth Home Support Programme
Navigating CHSP
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In short...
Yes. CHSP providers can place people on a waiting list if they do not currently have capacity to deliver services. Being approved for CHSP services does not guarantee immediate access to a provider or immediate commencement of services.
The details...
Can a CHSP provider place me on a waiting list?
Yes. It is quite common for CHSP providers to have waiting lists, particularly for services such as:
domestic assistance
personal care
transport services
social support groups
respite services in high-demand areas.
Receiving approval for CHSP services means you are eligible for support, but it does not guarantee that a provider currently has staff, funding or availability to deliver those services immediately.
Providers may place you on a waiting list because:
demand exceeds local capacity
there are workforce shortages
the service is only delivered on certain days
the provider is prioritising people with higher or more urgent needs.
In some cases, providers may prioritise clients based on urgency, risk or vulnerability rather than strictly operating on a first-come, first-served basis.
What happens if there is a waiting list?
If one provider cannot assist, you may be able to:
ask My Aged Care for referrals to additional providers
contact other local CHSP providers directly
request an urgent review if your circumstances have changed
consider short-term private services while waiting.
If your needs become more serious while waiting, you should notify My Aged Care as soon as possible, as your situation may warrant an urgent reassessment or additional support pathway.
Can providers remove me from a waiting list?
Yes. Providers may close or update referrals if:
they are unable to contact you
your circumstances change
you commence services elsewhere
the referral expires.
It is a good idea to keep providers informed if your contact details or circumstances change.
What should I ask the provider?
Consider asking:
How long is the current waiting list?
Is the waiting time likely to be weeks or months?
Can you suggest another provider?
Will you contact me when capacity becomes available?
What should I do if my needs become urgent while waiting?
What should I do next?
Contact several CHSP providers rather than waiting for a single organisation if possible.
If your support needs increase, contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 and explain what has changed. You may be eligible for urgent services, additional referrals or reassessment.
Keep a record of:
the providers you have contacted
estimated waiting times
who you have spoken with
any changes to your circumstances.
Helpful Local Home Help resources
Check the official guidance
The Australian Government recognises that some CHSP services may have waiting lists and encourages providers to support people to access alternative services where appropriate. If your circumstances change while waiting, you should contact My Aged Care to discuss your options.
Official information can be found here:
The CHSP Manual also notes that providers should actively manage referrals and support clients to access appropriate services where capacity limitations exist.
Takeaways
CHSP providers can place people on waiting lists.
Approval for services does not guarantee immediate support.
Waiting times vary significantly depending on location and service type.
Additional referrals to other providers may be available.
If your needs become more urgent, contact My Aged Care promptly.
About Local Home Help
How Providers Are Listed
How providers appear on Local Home Help Local Home Help helps families discover home support services available in their area. Providers may appear on the site in a few different ways. Some providers create and manage their own listing on the platform. Others may appear based on publicly available information about services operating in a particular region. This helps families see a broader view of support options available locally. Where possible, we encourage providers to claim and manage their listing so information such as services offered, contact details and service areas remain accurate and up to date. There are no paid or enhanced listings on Local Home Help, and there never will be. Claiming or managing a listing has no effect on a provider's visibility, ranking, or how often it appears in a consumer's personalised shortlist, it simply keeps the information families see accurate and current. Local Home Help does not charge consumers to access the platform. We may generate revenue in other ways in the future, but none of these will ever influence which providers a consumer sees, how they're ranked, or what appears in their shortlist. Provider visibility is, and will remain, based solely on relevance to each family's stated needs. What does not influence Liz There are no paid or enhanced listings on Local Home Help, not now, and not in the future. No provider can pay for a higher position in Liz results, a better ranking, or inclusion in a consumer's shortlist. This is a permanent commitment, not a current-state description. Claiming or updating a profile does not improve a provider's ranking. It gives Liz more accurate information about the provider's services, coverage and care model, which can make the explanation of why a provider matched clearer, but it has no effect on whether or how highly that provider appears. Local Home Help intends to generate revenue in other ways in the future - for example through tools built for providers, or products separate from the consumer matching experience. None of these will influence which providers appear in Liz's results, how they're ranked, or what a consumer sees in their personalised shortlist. Visibility and ranking are based solely on the fit factors described above, and nothing else. This reflects the platform's core ethos: Local Home Help is built consumer-first. Every design and revenue decision is made so that what a family sees from Liz is the most relevant outcome for them. Never the most profitable outcome for Local Home Help or a provider.
Independence Statement
Our independence Local Home Help is designed to help families navigate the often confusing world of home support and aged care services. The platform aims to present information in a clear and balanced way so families can better understand the types of help available and where to find it. While providers may appear on the platform, Local Home Help does not recommend one provider over another. The decision about which service may be suitable will always depend on individual circumstances. Families are encouraged to contact providers directly, ask questions and make their own enquiries before making a decision. Our focus is to make the process of understanding and finding support at home easier. Local Home Help does not accept payment of any kind in exchange for provider visibility, ranking, or shortlist placement, and never will. Any future revenue Local Home Help generates will come from sources entirely separate from how providers are matched to consumers.
Quality Signals
What to look for when choosing a provider ​ Finding the right support service can take time. When considering a provider, families may wish to look for signs of quality such as: Clear information about services offered Transparent pricing or funding options Experience supporting older people at home Relevant professional qualifications where appropriate Positive feedback or reputation in the community Willingness to answer questions about care and services It is often helpful to speak with more than one provider before making a decision. Local Home Help aims to provide a starting point for exploring services, but the best choice will depend on the needs and preferences of the individual receiving support.
About the Author
Local Home Help Editorial Team
This article was created by Local Home Help to help Australian families better understand aged care and home support options in plain English.
Our content is based on publicly available information from:
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My Aged Care
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Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
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Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission
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Provider pricing schedules and operational experience within the aged care sector.
Local Home Help is an independent consumer information platform and does not provide medical, legal or financial advice.
Important information
Aged care rules, fees, eligibility requirements and program arrangements can change. The information on this page is general guidance only and may not apply to every person or situation.
Before making a financial, legal or care decision, check the latest information with My Aged Care, Services Australia, the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, or another appropriate official source.
Local Home Help does not provide legal, financial, medical or clinical advice.
Source data
Last reviewed
20/7/26, 9:08 pm