Can I choose my own CHSP provider?

Commonwealth Home Support Programme
Navigating CHSP
Ask Liz for guidance and compare suitable options
In short...
Yes. In most cases, you can choose which Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) provider delivers your services. You are not required to accept the first provider you are referred to and may compare providers before deciding which organisation best suits your needs.
The details...
Can I choose my own CHSP provider?
Yes. One of the principles of Australia's aged care system is that older people should have choice and control over who provides their care and services.
After you have been assessed and approved for CHSP services, you can choose a provider that best matches your needs, preferences and location. My Aged Care may provide referrals, but you are generally not obligated to use a particular provider.
Do I have to accept the first provider?
No.
Being referred to a provider or contacted by one does not mean you have agreed to receive services from them.
You can:
speak with several providers
ask questions about their services and fees
compare waiting times and availability
decide whether the provider feels like the right fit.
You only formally engage a provider when you agree to their services and enter into a service agreement.
What should I compare?
Different providers may vary in:
service availability
client contribution amounts
cultural or language supports
special expertise, such as dementia care
service flexibility
availability of allied health services
communication and responsiveness.
You may also wish to ask:
Will I see the same support workers regularly?
What happens if my regular worker is unavailable?
How long are your waiting lists?
How often are services reviewed?
How are complaints managed?
Can I use more than one provider?
Yes.
If you receive several CHSP services, you can often use different providers for different services.
For example:
one provider may deliver domestic assistance
another may provide transport
a third may provide social support or allied health services.
What if I want to change providers?
You can change providers if you are unhappy or your needs change.
Reasons for changing providers may include:
long waiting times
poor communication
changes in your care needs
relocation
finding another provider that better meets your preferences.
You may need to reactivate your referral code through your My Aged Care Online Account or by contacting My Aged Care on 1800 200 422.
What if there is only one provider in my area?
Choice can sometimes be limited in regional and remote areas due to workforce shortages and provider availability.
If there are limited options:
ask My Aged Care about alternative providers
ask providers whether services can be delivered remotely or across neighbouring areas
discuss whether another program or service type may be suitable.
What should I do next?
Before deciding on a provider:
Speak with at least two or three providers if possible.
Ask for information about fees, waiting times and service availability.
Ask whether they have experience supporting people with circumstances similar to yours.
Involve family members or carers if you would like support making a decision.
Remember that choosing a provider is not just about price. Reliability, communication and compatibility are often just as important.
Helpful Local Home Help resources
https://www.localhomehelp.com.au/lizquestions/can-i-use-more-than-one-chsp-provider
https://www.localhomehelp.com.au/lizquestions/can-a-chsp-provider-place-me-on-a-waiting-list
https://www.localhomehelp.com.au/lizquestions/do-i-have-to-pay-toward-chsp-services
Check the official guidance
My Aged Care confirms that people receiving CHSP services can choose their provider and are encouraged to compare organisations before making a decision. Providers may differ in their costs, availability and specialisations.
Official guidance:
Takeaways
You can generally choose your own CHSP provider.
You do not have to accept the first provider you are referred to.
Different providers may offer different services, fees and waiting times.
You may use multiple providers for different services.
You can change providers if your needs or preferences change.
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