The report examines the Australian Government’s proposal to transition the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) into the Support at Home Program after 1 July 2027. It provides eight recommendations, including an extension of funding to the CHSP, and that the CHSP be retained as a separate block-funded program.

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. This audit examined the effectiveness of the CHSP. The audit found the CHSP is partly effective. It provides recommendations to improve planning, monitoring, stakeholder engagement, assurance, performance measurement and evaluation.

As the population and its needs change, the care and support economy is coming under increasing pressure to deliver high-quality services at a sustainable cost. This report proposes reforms to strengthen connections across sectors and reduce siloed decision-making, improving care quality, making services more efficient and boosting productivity.

This discussion paper examines the state of play in aged care reform in Australia: achievements and challenges. It outlines the background and context; what has been achieved and what challenges have emerged; reform measures still in progress; and key strategic observations, questions and issues for ongoing reform. The recommendations aim to generate further consideration.

The policy explains the approach to detecting, assessing and responding to risks arising from the actions, inactions and behaviours of workers in the Australian aged care sector. The policy sets out who is a worker, what is worker risk, key obligations relating to managing worker risks, worker screening and the approach to managing worker risks.