Understanding the Difference Between CHSP and Support at Home
- , by We Feed You Author
- 9 min reading time
Australia’s aged care system is currently transitioning through significant reforms, which can understandably feel confusing for older Australians and their families.
Two programs people often hear about are:
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the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP)
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the Support at Home program (formerly Home Care Package or HCP)
While both are designed to help older Australians remain living independently at home, they work differently.
What Is the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP)?
The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) is an entry-level aged care program designed for older Australians who need a small amount of support to continue living safely at home.
CHSP services may include:
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domestic assistance
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transport
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social support
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personal care
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meal services
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basic home maintenance
The program is generally suited to people who:
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only need occasional support
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remain relatively independent
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do not yet require coordinated ongoing care
Under CHSP, services are often delivered individually through separate providers.
For example, someone may receive:
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cleaning support from one provider
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transport assistance from another
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meal delivery from a separate organisation
What Is the Support at Home Program?
The Support at Home program has replaced the Home Care Packages and provides more coordinated and flexible support for older Australians with higher or more complex care needs.
Support at Home is designed to:
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simplify aged care services
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improve access to support
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provide more tailored care
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help people stay at home longer
Unlike CHSP, Support at Home provides a more integrated care model through a registered provider.
Services may include:
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personal care
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nursing
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allied health
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cleaning and household assistance
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meal preparation and nutrition support
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assistive technology
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restorative care services
The Key Difference Between CHSP and Support at Home
| CHSP | Support at Home |
|---|---|
| Entry-level support | More coordinated ongoing support |
| Smaller amount of assistance | Designed for higher or more complex needs |
| Individual services | Integrated care planning |
| Multiple service providers possible | Delivered through a registered Support at Home provider |
| Simpler support arrangements | More comprehensive case management |
How Meal Services Work Under Support at Home
Once assessed and approved for Support at Home services, participants will generally work with a registered Support at Home provider who helps coordinate their care and services.
This provider may:
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assess nutrition and meal support needs
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recommend suitable meal providers
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arrange services as part of a care plan
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help coordinate ongoing support
This means participants typically won’t need to navigate everything themselves.
Registered providers may recommend trusted meal delivery companies like We Feed You to help support:
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healthy ageing
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independence
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recovery after illness
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reduced meal preparation burden
- meals for specific dietary needs
Why Ready Meals Are Becoming Increasingly Important
As more Australians choose to age at home, ready meals are becoming an important practical support service.
Nutritious frozen ready meals can help older Australians:
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maintain regular eating habits
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reduce fatigue from cooking
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minimise shopping trips
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keep meals conveniently stored in the freezer
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access meals whenever needed
For carers and families, it also provides reassurance knowing nutritious meals are always available at home.
How to Get Started
Step 1: Contact My Aged Care
Older Australians can begin by contacting My Aged Care to arrange an assessment.
Step 2: Complete an Assessment
An assessor will discuss:
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daily living needs
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mobility
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nutrition and meal preparation challenges
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support requirements
Step 3: Work With a Registered Provider
If approved for Support at Home services, participants will work with a registered provider who can help coordinate supports, including meal services.
Step 4: Choose Suitable Meal Support
Your provider may recommend experienced meal providers like We Feed You to help make everyday life easier and support independent living at home.
We Feed You's Healthy Ageing meals have
Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) approved.
Supporting Independence at Home
Whether someone is receiving support through CHSP or transitioning into the new Support at Home system, access to nutritious, convenient meals can make a meaningful difference to health, confidence and quality of life.
At We Feed You, we are proud to support older Australians, carers and families with chef-prepared frozen ready meals designed to make everyday living simpler, more flexible and more enjoyable.
We
Frequently Asked Questions
Are ready meals covered by Support at Home funding?
In many cases, yes. Meal preparation and nutrition support are expected to remain eligible services under the Support at Home program, depending on a participant’s individual assessment and care plan.
What is the difference between CHSP and Support at Home?
The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) provides entry-level support for older Australians who need occasional assistance at home.
Support at Home is a more coordinated aged care program designed for people with higher or more complex support needs. Participants work with a registered Support at Home provider who helps coordinate services and supports.
Can Support at Home providers recommend meal delivery companies?
Yes. Once approved for Support at Home services, participants generally work with a registered provider who may recommend trusted meal delivery companies like We Feed You as part of a participant’s care and nutrition support plan.
How do I access meal delivery through aged care services?
The first step is to contact My Aged Care and arrange an assessment. During the assessment, discuss any difficulties with cooking, shopping or meal preparation. If approved, meal support may form part of your funded services.
Are frozen ready meals healthy for older Australians?
High-quality frozen ready meals like We Feed You can provide balanced nutrition while offering convenience, flexibility and longer storage life. Modern freezing methods help lock in nutrients and maintain meal quality.
Why are frozen ready meals helpful for seniors?
Frozen ready meals offer several practical benefits for older Australians, including:
- fewer deliveries
- reduced food waste
- flexible meal choices
- convenient storage
- easy preparation
- meals available whenever needed
- We Feed You meals can be heated from frozen in the microwave or oven
They can also help reduce the physical strain of cooking and shopping.
Can I order frozen ready meals in bulk?
Yes. One of the benefits of frozen meals is the ability to order in bulk and store meals safely in the freezer. This can reduce delivery frequency and ensure meals are always available at home.
Do frozen meals lose nutrients?
Freezing helps preserve nutrients shortly after meals are prepared. In many cases, frozen meals maintain excellent nutritional quality.
Are We Feed You meals delivered frozen?
Yes. We Feed You meals are chef prepared and frozen to help maintain freshness, convenience and flexibility for customers.
Can ready meals help older Australians stay independent at home?
Yes. Convenient nutritious meals can support independence by reducing the need for cooking, shopping and meal preparation, while helping older Australians maintain regular eating habits and good nutrition.
Are ready meals suitable after a hospital stay?
Yes. Ready meals can be particularly helpful during recovery from illness, surgery or hospitalisation, when cooking may feel difficult or exhausting.
Who are ready meals suitable for?
Ready meals may benefit:
- older Australians
- carers
- people recovering from illness
- individuals with reduced mobility
- people living alone
- Support at Home participants
How often can meals be delivered?
Delivery frequency depends on personal preference and storage capacity. Many customers prefer larger frozen meal deliveries less often, allowing them to keep meals conveniently stocked in the freezer. However, some customers only have small freezer space so a weekly delivery may be required.
What should I look for in a meal delivery provider?
When choosing a provider, consider:
- nutritional quality
- dietitian endorsement
- endorsement from registered bodies such as Coeliac Australia or Monash University Low FODMAP certification
- ease of preparation
- meal variety
- delivery reliability
- flexible storage options
- ease of opening
- locally prepared meals
- dietary support options
Can family members or carers help organise meal delivery?
Absolutely. Many families and carers help older Australians arrange meal delivery services to ensure nutritious meals are always available at home.