What is a CHSP referral code?

Commonwealth Home Support Programme
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In short...
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.
The details...
What is a CHSP referral code?
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.
How 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.
Does 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.
What 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.
Helpful Local Home Help resources
Check 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:
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.
Takeaways
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.
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