Since 2015, the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) has provided entry‑level aged care services to people in their homes to assist them to live safely and independently. The Australian Government funds CHSP service providers through grant agreements. Businesses and organisations receive grants to provide services to older people in their communities. The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (DHDA) is responsible for administering the CHSP. 

This performance audit examined the effectiveness of the CHSP. The report provides nine recommendations to DHDA to improve planning, monitoring, stakeholder engagement, assurance, performance measurement and evaluation.

Key findings

• The CHSP is partly effective. The CHSP is delivering services to more than 800,000 older people and a survey indicates that the majority of clients are satisfied. Weaknesses in administration of the program reduce effectiveness.
• DHDA lacks assurance that CHSP services are being delivered effectively, to eligible people, according to need, and in a timely manner.
• A lack of monitoring, assurance, evaluation and stakeholder engagement limits DHDA’s ability to identify and implement improvements to the program.
• Poor assurance over the current CHSP impacts on preparedness for the effective transition of the CHSP to the Support at Home program.