Home care support for older people is available through two government-funded programs, Support at Home and the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP).

Support at Home and the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) both assist older people to live independently at home, but they support different levels of care needs. 

Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP): CHSP is for people who mainly need entry-level or low-level support. It provides simple, practical help such as cleaning, meals, transport or social support. 

Support at Home: Support at Home has replaced the Home Care Packages program and is designed for people with higher or ongoing care needs. It offers a wider range of services, more flexibility and greater funding levels. 

If you’re unsure which program is right for you, Salvos Home Care can help you understand your options and guide you through your My Aged Care assessment, which you will need to have completed prior to accessing home care services. 

Yes, The Salvation Army provides both Support at Home and Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) services through Salvos Home Care, offering a wide range of in-home care to older people.

Salvos Home Care provides Support at Home in NSW, VIC, QLD, SA, ACT and TAS, and CHSP in NSW, QLD and ACT.

Older people can access the following home care services:

• Clinical care such as nursing, Allied Health, nutrition and care management
• Independence support such as social support, transport, personal care, assistive technology and home modifications
• Everyday living services such as cleaning, shopping, meal preparation, gardening and home maintenance

Most of the cost of your home care services is covered by the government subsidy allocated to you. You will only make a co-contribution for the services you use, and there is a 10% care management fee. 

You can learn more about Support at Home fees and charges with Salvos Home Care at: 
https://agedcare.salvos.org.au/home-care/support-at-home/#Pricing  

You can also use the Support at Home Fee Estimator to check your likely costs.  

To help make your home safer and easier to live in, home modifications and assistive technologies are available under Support at Home. You can access funding of up to $15,000 for each category.

You will need to be assessed for both categories as part of your My Aged Care assessment. Your approval will be outlined in a Notice of Decision and your support plan.    

Support at Home funded assistive technologies generally include:  

• Mobility equipment such as walking sticks, walking frames and wheelchairs 
• Toileting supports such as bedpans and commodes 
• Bathing devices such as shower chairs and bath boards 

Support at Home funded home modifications generally include: 

• Grab rails and handrails 
• Ramps or small steps 
• Bathroom safety changes, such as non-slip flooring or handrails 
• Shower adjustments, such as the installation of a hand-held shower head 
• Simple mobility or access improvements, recommended by an Allied Health professional 

These modifications must be linked to your care needs, recommended by a qualified health professional (such as an Occupational Therapist) and focused on safety, independence or fall prevention. Support at Home does not fund major renovations or structural building work. 

You can apply for Support at Home through My Aged Care by following these steps: 

1. Check your eligibility online at My Aged Care or call 1800 200 422. 
2. Have an in-home assessment. 
3. If approved, you’ll receive a Notice of Decision and a Support Plan outlining your funding classification, budget and approved services. 
4. Once you have your approval, call Salvos Home Care on 1300 111 227 to discuss your service options and how we can support you. 

You can find out if you’re eligible for government-funded home care through a My Aged Care assessment. During your in-home assessment, an Aged Care Assessor will look at your health, daily activities, safety, mobility and the type of support you need at home.

Based on this assessment, you’ll receive a funding classification level, which is outlined in your Notice of Decision and support plan. If you’re unsure about your level or what it means, your Care Partner can help you understand what services you can access.

If you decide to change to another provider, such as Salvos Home Care, your approval for Support at Home services and budget will move with you to your new provider.

Our goal is to make the transfer a simple process. At Salvos Home Care, we can help you:

• Notify your current outgoing provider (as early as possible) and agree on an exit date
• Advise your outgoing provider of who your new provider will be, as this will help with information sharing to ensure your care continues
• Lastly, confirm a start date with us, your new provider.

• We’re an established not-for-profit organisation with a long history of caring for people with compassion, respect and dignity. Everything we do is guided by genuine relationships.
• We’re local, with strong connections to the communities we serve.
• Being a part of everyday community life helps us provide care that’s thoughtful, holistic and meaningful.
• Spiritual and pastoral support is available if it’s something you value, and we always offer it with sensitivity and choice.
• Our support doesn’t stop at Salvos Home Care. We offer a range of aged care services, including low-maintenance retirement living and short- or long-term care in our residential aged care homes. That means if you or your partner’s needs change, whether temporarily after surgery or more gradually over time, we can help support you through those transitions. We’re here for the long haul, with care that adapts as life does.

How can I contact Salvos Home Care?

You can contact Salvos Home Care on 1300 111 227. Follow the prompts and you’ll be directed to your local team. You can also contact Salvos Home Care at agedcare.enquiries@salvationarmy.org.au and via our online contact form.  

If you’re an existing client, you’re welcome to contact your dedicated Care Partner directly for support.