Community Screening: Dying in Waiting - Saturday 13 June 2026, 6:00–8:00 PM AEST at Citipointe Church West. Free entry. Learn More
Resources / Aged Care
Resources /aged care
Aged care, simplified.
How to navigate My Aged Care, ACAT assessments, CHSP and Home Care Packages, so older
Australians can stay independent at home for longer.
Starting Out
My Aged Care is the front door.
Every government-funded aged care service in Australia starts with My Aged Care. Call 1800 200 422 or visit myagedcare.gov.au. The contact centre will register you, ask about your situation and arrange an assessment by either the Regional Assessment Service (RAS) or an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT).
RAS assesses people who need basic support to stay at home (Commonwealth Home Support Programme).
ACAT assesses people who need more complex care: Home Care Packages, short-term restorative care, transition care, or residential aged care.
The Two Main Programs
CHSP vs Home Care Packages.
CHSP — Commonwealth Home Support Programme
Entry-level support for older people who need a small amount of help to stay independent. Examples: domestic assistance, personal care, transport, social support, allied health, meals.
Funded on a service-by-service basis. You contribute a small co-payment for each service.
HCP — Home Care Packages
A flexible budget for older people with more complex needs. Four levels (1 to 4), with Level 4 the highest.
You choose your provider, design your support plan, and the package pays for the supports you need. Neta Care is an approved Home Care Package provider.
The Wait
If there's a queue.
Home Care Packages have national queues. After approval, you wait in priority order for a package to be assigned. While you wait, you can access CHSP, or accept a lower-level interim package while waiting for your approved level. Your interim package counts as time on the queue, not against it.
Costs
What you pay.
Basic daily fee. A small daily contribution most providers waive or absorb. Neta Care does not charge a basic daily fee.
Income-tested care fee. Determined by Services Australia based on your income. Many people pay nothing. Apply via the Centrelink income assessment.
Co-payments for additional services. Anything beyond the funded supports.
If Things Change
When to reassess.
IIf your needs change significantly — a fall, a hospital stay, a new diagnosis, the loss of a carer — contact My Aged Care to request a reassessment. ACAT can review and recommend a higher level of support. Neta Care can help gather the evidence for that conversation.
Related pages
Home Care Packages
Approved HCP provider — what your package pays for.
CHSP
Entry-level Commonwealth Home Support Programme services.
Resources for Families
Information for family carers of older Australians.
Ready to talk about support?
Our intake team will listen to your situation and explain the right pathway. No obligation, no pressure.
