A new national survey has revealed deep concern among home care providers about the planned transition of the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) into the Australian Government’s Support at Home system, with many warning the sector is not ready for the change.
The survey is the latest released by Enkindle Consulting. Part 4 of the firm’s 2026 Home Care Provider Outlook Survey Report examines provider readiness for the proposed CHSP transition and draws on feedback from more than 300 home care leaders across Australia.
The report, titled CHSP to Support at Home Transition Readiness, found widespread scepticism about whether the new Support at Home program can successfully absorb Australia’s largest community care program without disrupting services for older people.
CHSP currently supports the largest number of older Australians receiving care in their homes and plays a particularly significant role in rural, regional and remote communities.
According to the survey, providers view CHSP as the “safety net” of in-home aged care, providing flexible and responsive services that are difficult to replicate under an individualised funding model.
Many respondents highlighted the importance of block funding arrangements, which they say help maintain service viability and continuity, particularly in thin markets where demand fluctuates, and delivery costs are higher.
However, providers expressed concern that these features have not yet been adequately incorporated into the Support at Home model.
One provider quoted in the report said, “Support at Home is simply not ready to include CHSP.”
Another warned, “We cannot move CHSP into a system that is not yet stable. It puts too many older people at risk.”
The survey also identified early signs of emerging challenges, with some providers reporting that older Australians are delaying or avoiding services due to concerns about costs, complexity and uncertainty surrounding the reforms.
A lack of information about the transition remains a major obstacle for providers attempting to prepare for the changes. Respondents cited uncertainty around timelines, funding arrangements and future program design as key barriers to planning and investment.
“There’s just over 15 months to go, and the lack of information on the future of CHSP is staggering,” one provider said.
The findings add to growing calls across the aged care sector for the timing and approach to the CHSP transition to be reconsidered.
Enkindle Consulting’s Jennene Buckley said the survey results highlighted the need for careful consideration before proceeding with the reforms.
“What is coming through clearly is that CHSP is not just another program to transition. It is the foundation of community-based care, particularly in regional and remote communities,” Ms Buckley said.
“There is a need to ensure the Support at Home system is stable and capable of supporting the scale and diversity of CHSP services and providers before any transition proceeds.”
The report forms part of a five-part survey series examining the aged care reform landscape, covering provider experiences with Support at Home, the new Aged Care Act, CHSP transition readiness and sector technology capabilities. Providers participating in the survey consistently called for clearer direction, greater engagement and more certainty to ensure any future transition does not compromise access to care for older Australians.
