Ageing Australia, COTA Australia and the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) have welcomed the publication of the Senate Community Affairs Committee report recognising the role the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) plays in helping older people remain independent and connected to their communities.
The organisations bring the perspectives of older people, providers and advocates together, and are united by a shared commitment to ensuring any future changes to entry-level supports improve outcomes for the people who rely on them.
The organisations said the report reinforces the importance of having preventative, entry-level supports and sends a clear message that any future changes must be informed by older people and developed through genuine consultation and co-design.
Supporting more than 860,000 older Australians, CHSP helps people remain living safely and independently at home while reducing pressure on hospitals and residential aged care.
The report follows evidence from older people, providers and advocates, including submissions and testimony from Ageing Australia, COTA Australia and OPAN.
The organisations welcomed the Committee's recommendation that consultation occur before any decision is made on the long-term future of CHSP, including whether it remains a standalone program or becomes part of Support at Home.
The Committee's report recognises that more time is needed and acknowledges that these changes should be finalised by 2030. It will be important that, following consultation, there is a clear and agreed rollout plan for changes with at least a one-year timeframe between decisions and commencement of those changes. This will provide confidence in continuity of services to older people and allow providers to prepare for the changes.
One milestone on that plan, wrapped in government's "from 1 July 2027" decisions is the ability for older people to allocate their funding to more than one aged care provider. This shouldn't just be delayed until the future direction is set.
The peak bodies thank the Chair Senator Allman-Payne and other committee members for their deep reflection of these issues. Ageing Australia, COTA Australia and OPAN will hold a roundtable on Monday to discuss the future of CHSP.
Parliament's active interest in aged care and ensuring the system delivers quality care to older people is also evident in the introduction of the important private members bill by Senator Ruston and co-sponsored by Senators Allman-Payne and Pocock to reintroduce a human override into the aged care assessment process.
Quotes attributable to Ageing Australia, COTA Australia and OPAN
Ageing Australia CEO Tom Symondson:
"We're deeply concerned that moving CHSP into Support at Home, before the new program is operating effectively, creates significant risks for over 860,000 older Australians who rely on these services, as well as the providers delivering them.
"We support reform where it improves outcomes, but reform must be implemented properly. At the moment, the pressures on Support at Home providers are already substantial, and there are important lessons that need to be learned before any further transition occurs."
"The government announcement is 'no sooner than 1 July 2027'. That's good because it doesn't tie us to a specific date. But we need to know what is going to be fixed and by when before that date is fixed.
Patricia Sparrow, Chief Executive Officer, COTA Australia:
"Older Australians must be at the centre of any decisions about the future of aged care.
"For many older Australians, entry-level care is the support that helps them stay independent, healthy and connected to their community.
"Older people need outcomes, not bureaucracy or specific programs. They support reform, but they want confidence that change will improve aged care, not create uncertainty.
"This report sends a clear message that the future of CHSP should be driven by what delivers the best outcomes for older Australians."
Craig Gear, CEO, Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN):
"OPAN supports reform - but the funding model questions raised by the Aged Care Royal Commission must be resolved before any transition proceeds.
"For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities foundational services deliver services that are deeply embedded in community life. That cannot be lost in any future model.
"This report reflects what older people have been saying all along - entry-level service work, proper planning is needed and they want continuity of care. OPAN welcomes the recommendation for genuine co-design and looks forward to working with government and the sector to get this right."
