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Do I have to pay toward CHSP services?

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Commonwealth Home Support Programme

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In short...

Usually, yes. Most people receiving Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) services are asked to make a contribution toward the cost of their care if they can afford to do so. However, CHSP services are heavily subsidised by the Australian Government, and you will not be asked to pay the full cost of your approved services.

The details...

Do I have to pay toward CHSP services?

Yes, most people receiving CHSP services are expected to contribute toward the cost of the services they receive.

The Australian Government funds the majority of CHSP costs, while providers may ask clients to pay a contribution to help support the ongoing delivery of services. These contributions vary between providers and service types.

Examples of services that may attract a contribution include:

  • domestic assistance

  • personal care

  • meals

  • transport

  • social support

  • respite services

  • allied health services.

There is no formal income or assets assessment for CHSP fees.

Instead, each provider has its own client contribution policy, which must be publicly available and consider a person's capacity to pay. Providers are expected to discuss fees with you before services begin and include them in your service agreement.

How much will I pay?

The amount varies depending on:

  • the type of service

  • how often you receive support

  • where you live

  • the provider's contribution policy

  • your ability to contribute.

For example, a meal service may involve a relatively small contribution, while home modifications or specialised services may cost more. However, you will generally not be asked to pay the full cost of approved CHSP services.

What if I cannot afford the contribution?

You should not miss out on essential support because of financial hardship.

All CHSP providers must have arrangements in place to protect people who are unable to contribute toward the cost of their care. Depending on your circumstances, fees may be reduced, waived or adjusted. You should discuss any financial difficulties with your provider as early as possible.

Can a provider increase their fees?

Possibly. Providers may review their contribution amounts from time to time, but any fees should be clearly explained and agreed with you. Changes should be reflected in your service agreement or communicated in advance.

Will CHSP contributions affect my pension?

No. Receiving CHSP services or paying client contributions does not affect your Age Pension. Government subsidies are paid directly to providers rather than to you.

What should I do next?

Before agreeing to services, ask the provider:

  • What contribution will I be expected to pay?

  • Is there a fee schedule available?

  • Do you have a financial hardship policy?

  • Can fees be reduced if my circumstances change?

  • Are there any additional costs not covered by the standard contribution?

Always ask for fee information in writing before services commence.

Helpful Local Home Help resources

Check the official guidance

Official information about CHSP contributions can be found here:

Takeaways

  • Most people pay a contribution toward CHSP services.

  • Contributions vary between providers and service types.

  • There is no formal income and assets assessment for CHSP fees.

  • Providers must have a publicly available client contribution policy.

  • Financial hardship arrangements are available.

  • CHSP contributions do not affect your Age Pension.

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:

  • My Aged Care

  • Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

  • Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission

  • 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

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