The Federal Government has allocated $100 million in Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) Growth Funding grants for 2024-25 to 133 providers.
The grants, which started at just over $40,000, are designed to increase the availability of domestic assistance, home maintenance, allied health, and transport services under the CHSP. The initiative specifically aimed to encourage providers already delivering similar services—such as aged care, Department of Veterans Affairs care, and National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) providers—to enter the CHSP space.
Several organisations received significant funding, with not-for-profit Kirinari securing the largest grant of more than $15 million. Kirinari provides disability, housing, transport, and ageing services across New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania. Other major recipients include:
- Caura Pty Ltd (Sydney-based private CHSP and disability provider) – $6.3 million
- Essential Care Victoria Pty Ltd (NDIS provider) – $5.9 million
- Multicap Limited (Not-For-Profit NDIS provider) – $5.9 million
- McLean Care Limited (Not-For-Profit provider) – $4.1 million
- Sublime Healthcare Pty Ltd (Private NDIS provider in Sydney, Central Coast, and Hunter Valley) – $3.3 million
Notably, 93 of the 133 grant recipients will become CHSP providers for the first time under this funding initiative.
Payments commenced at the end of November 2024 and will continue until 30 June 2025. According to a spokesperson from the Department of Health and Aged Care, the grants will enable approximately 28,000 people to access new or additional CHSP services.
This funding boost comes at a critical time for the home care sector, with extended wait times.
For people with a medium priority, as of 30 September 24, the expected wait time for an approved Home Care Package (starting from the date on the letter of approval) is:
- Level 1: 1 – 3 months
- Level 2: 3 – 6 months
- Level 3: 9 – 12 months
- Level 4: 12 – 15 months
The Government has set a target of reducing these wait times to three months by 2027, many older Australians rely on CHSP services while waiting for their Home Care Packages to be approved.
