‘Reckless’ plans under fire: Calls grow to save aged care home support program facing the axe

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, July 5, 2026

A Senate inquiry has recommended delaying the phase-out of the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) until at least July 2030 to prevent potential service disruptions and increased costs from transitioning to the new Support at Home system. The inquiry warned that moving to an individualized fee-for-service model could harm older Australians by causing delays, affordability issues, and the collapse of community providers, especially in vulnerable regions like the Northern Territory.

A Senate inquiry has urged the federal government to reconsider plans to phase out the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP), warning that the proposed transition to the new Support at Home (SAH) system could lead to increased costs, delays, and service gaps for older Australians. The inquiry’s final report, released last week, calls for the CHSP to continue operating as a separate, block-funded program until at least July 2030.

The CHSP currently assists more than 800,000 older Australians with essential entry-level in-home care designed to help them maintain independence and remain in their own homes. The inquiry expressed concern that moving these services into the SAH’s individualized fee-for-service model risks pushing many older people prematurely into hospitals or costly residential aged care, particularly because of longer wait times and unaffordable co-contributions. The report also highlighted the potential collapse of community-based providers under the new system.

The Council on the Ageing Northern Territory (COTA NT) welcomed the Senate findings, emphasizing the program’s importance in a region facing unique challenges such as geographic isolation, limited aged care beds, and the need for culturally appropriate services for diverse communities, including Aboriginal populations. COTA NT chief executive Sue Shearer stressed that entry-level support like the CHSP plays a vital role in enabling older Territorians to live safely and independently at home.

“Older people support reform but want confidence that changes will improve outcomes rather than create uncertainty or service gaps,” Shearer said. She called for flexible, locally delivered care models that respect cultural needs to be reinforced in any future system in the Northern Territory.

The government had planned to begin transitioning CHSP recipients to the Support at Home program as early as mid-2024. The Senate inquiry recommended that this timeline be extended to ensure reforms are implemented effectively without compromising service quality.

Greens Senator Penny Allman-Payne, chair of the Community Affairs References Committee, strongly criticized the government’s proposal to discontinue the CHSP, calling it “reckless.” She noted broad opposition to the changes among advocates, service providers, unions, First Nations organizations, and local governments.

“By rushing into yet another massive change to the aged care system without adequate data or a clear plan, Labor is putting older people’s lives at risk,” Allman-Payne said.

Labor members of the committee, including Senators Dorinda Cox, Michelle Ananda-Rajah, and Karen Grogan, defended the Albanese government’s aged care reforms in separate comments. They acknowledged the CHSP’s value but argued that operational improvements are needed to ensure it continues to deliver effective and efficient services that meet the evolving needs of older Australians.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.