Three ways to get help at home and in the community – and how they fit together
1. Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP)
What it is: Entry‑level support at home and in the community, such as cleaning, personal care, transport, social support, nursing and allied health services.
How you access it: After a My Aged Care assessment, you are connected to CHSP providers who can deliver the types of services you need.
Cost: You pay a small contribution to your CHSP provider for each service; the government covers most of the cost. Fees are set by your CHSP provider based on national guidelines and your ability to pay. If you are worried about fees, talk to your CHSP provider – they have a hardship policy and can adjust contributions so cost is not a barrier to getting support.
Your CHSP referral codes: After your assessment, you receive one or more CHSP referral codes – one for each type of service you are approved for (for example, transport, domestic help, allied health). When you choose a provider, give them your referral code(s) so they can see your My Aged Care support plan and set up your services. If you lose your codes, you can find them in your My Aged Care online account or by calling My Aged Care on 1800 200 422.
Duration: Ongoing, low‑level support to help you stay independent at home and connected with your community.
2. Restorative Care Pathway
What it is: A short‑term, intensive program (usually up to 16 weeks) designed to improve your function after a setback or decline, rather than just maintaining it.
How it works: A team – such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists and nurses – works with you on specific goals you choose (for example, walking more safely, showering independently, regaining strength).
How you access it: My Aged Care must assess and approve you for the Restorative Care Pathway. Having CHSP already does not stop you from being eligible.
If you are approved for Support at Home: Restorative care is a separate, short‑term pathway. If it is recommended as part of your plan, you can usually start without going on a separate waitlist while you wait for your ongoing funding to be assigned.
Cost: Clinical services in the Restorative Care Pathway (such as nursing and physiotherapy) are fully funded by the government. You may be asked to pay a contribution for some independence or everyday living services, and your provider will discuss this with you before you start.
Funding: Each episode has a set amount of funding (around the equivalent of several thousand dollars over 16 weeks) to provide intensive, short‑term support.
3. Support at Home (ongoing funding)
What it is: Ongoing funding for higher levels of support at home and in the community. This program replaced Home Care Packages in November 2025.
How you access it: You must first be assessed and approved for Support at Home. After that, you are placed in a national priority system based on your needs (for example, urgent, high, medium or standard priority).
Your position is determined by: Your approved priority category and the date of your approval.
While you wait: Once approved, you can access short‑term pathways like the Restorative Care Pathway and continue to use CHSP where appropriate. This does not change your approval date, priority or place in the queue for your ongoing Support at Home funding.
Cost: Under Support at Home, you do not pay a contribution for clinical services (such as nursing and physiotherapy). You may be asked to pay a contribution for independence and everyday living services, depending on your income and your provider’s fee policy. There is a government‑set lifetime cap on how much you can be asked to contribute; once you reach this cap, you will not have to pay further Support at Home contributions.
Will restorative care delay my Support at Home funding?
No. Accessing the Restorative Care Pathway does not change your approval date, priority or place in the queue for your ongoing Support at Home funding.
Restorative care is treated as an immediate, short‑term support you can use while waiting; your approval date and priority for ongoing funding stay the same. When your ongoing funding is assigned during or after restorative care, your provider will coordinate services so there is no overlap and your funding is used appropriately.
How the programs work together
Many people use CHSP while they wait for Support at Home funding, and some also use the Restorative Care Pathway if they have had a recent decline but have good potential to improve.
If you already receive CHSP or other Support at Home services, you can still access the Restorative Care Pathway; your provider is responsible for making sure services are complementary and there is no duplication.
If you are only assessed for restorative care (and not yet approved for ongoing Support at Home or CHSP), you will finish that short‑term program first. If you still need support at the end, you can then be referred for ongoing services.
If your needs change, your provider or GP can ask My Aged Care to review your situation and adjust your support.
Other ways to help pay for your care
GP chronic condition management plan (GPCCMP) Your GP can prepare a chronic condition management plan and refer you for Medicare‑rebated allied health visits (up to 5 per calendar year). You then pay the gap between your provider’s fee and the Medicare rebate (unless your provider bulk‑bills).
The Parkinson’s Support Fund® Our clinic’s last‑resort support. It may help cover part of your session costs only when you:
- already have My Aged Care or NDIS approval
- are waiting for that funding to start or increase, and
- have fully explored other options such as Medicare plans and aged‑care funding pathways.
If cost is still stopping you from accessing care after these options, talk with our team about whether the Parkinson’s Support FundⓇ can help in the short term.
What should I do next?
If you are unsure which options are best for you right now, talk with your GP or your care provider. They can help you decide whether CHSP, restorative care, ongoing Support at Home funding, or a mix of these is right for your goals and current situation.
Contact My Aged Care: 1800 200 422 | myagedcare.gov.au
Important information
The information in this brochure is general in nature and is based on Australian Government aged care policies and fee arrangements that were current at the time of publication. It does not take into account your personal circumstances and is not financial, legal or tax advice.
Program rules, eligibility criteria and client contributions for CHSP, Restorative Care and Support at Home may change at any time without notice. While we make every effort to keep this information accurate and up to date, The Parkinsons Centre cannot guarantee its completeness and accepts no liability for any loss arising from reliance on this information.
You should confirm your entitlements and likely costs with My Aged Care, Services Australia (Centrelink/DVA), your chosen provider and/or an independent advisor before making decisions about your care.
References
[1] Commonwealth Home Support Program costs. My Aged Care. https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/commonwealth-home-support-program-costs
[2] About the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP). Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/chsp/about
[3] Restorative Care Pathway. My Aged Care. https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/aged-care-programs/restorative-care-pathway
[4] Restorative Care Pathway. Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/support-at-home/delivering-services-for-support-at-home/restorative-care-pathway
[5] Support at Home program – Restorative Care Pathway fact sheet. Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-12/support-at-home-program-restorative-care-pathway.pdf
[6] Support At Home Contributions: 2026 Breakdown. Respect Aged Care. https://respect.com.au/blog/support-at-home-contributions/
[7] Home Care Package Changes 2025. Aged Care Decisions. https://agedcaredecisions.com.au/support-at-home-program-update/
[8] Home Care vs Support at Home Program 2025. Brightwater. https://brightwatergroup.com/your-aged-care/home-care-packages-vs-support-at-home-program-whats-changing-in-2025
[9] Support at Home program – participant contributions. Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/support-at-home-program-participant-contributions
[10] Support at Home program 2026. Sensible Care. https://www.sensiblecare.com.au/blog/support-at-home-program-2026
[11] Support At Home Contributions: 2026 Breakdown. Respect Aged Care. https://respect.com.au/blog/support-at-home-contributions/
[12] Commonwealth Home Support Program Client Contributions Public Policy. Dementia Australia. https://www.dementia.org.au/about-us/policies/commonwealth-home-support-program-client-contributions-public-policy
[13] CHSP National Unit Price Ranges and Client Contributions. Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-10/appendix_e_-_chsp_national_unit_price_ranges_and_guide_to_the_national_chsp_client_contribution_framework.pdf
[14] Contributions – Toolkit to support communications to older people. Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-10/contributions-toolkit-to-support-communications-to-older-people-their-families-and-carers.docx
[15] Support at Home participant contributions. Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/support-at-home/charging-for-support-at-home-services/support-at-home-participant-contributions
