Government support and My Aged Care

Commonwealth Home Support Program

The City of Unley’s Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) provides access to in‑home assistance, wellbeing programs, social activities and transport to help people live independently and maintain their quality of life. This program is currently funded by the Commonwealth Government, with support from Council.

At its meeting on Tuesday, 27 January 2026, Council made the difficult decision to exit from providing Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) services, effective 30 June 2026.  

This decision was made following a comprehensive review of recent changes to the Aged Care Act, which present ongoing financial, operational and regulatory challenges for Council that are not sustainable long term. With so many high-quality aged care providers operating in and around the City of Unley, exiting the program was considered to be in the best interests of both the community and the organisation.

While there will be no immediate changes to the CHSP Program or the delivery of CHSP services delivery, our friendly CHSP team members will be contacting all our active CHSP clients individually to speak about their CHSP services. Our community is supported by a broad range of trusted, experienced aged care providers who are well placed to continue delivering high-quality services to local residents, and Council is committed to supporting our active client's smooth transition to a new provider, ensuring their continuity of care.

This decision means Council will not be accepting any new CHSP clients going forward. However, we are committed to:

  • Providing comprehensive support and CHSP services for our existing active clients until 30 June 2026.
  • Ensuring continuity of care and wellbeing remains a priority.
  • Working closely with the Federal Government and alternative aged-care providers to support our active clients transition to a new provider.
  • Maintaining transparent communications to ensure our clients are informed throughout the transition process and any concerns they may have are addressed.

Any decisions under the program are made directly with clients and their advocates so that individuals feel comfortable and supported throughout. 

Client Contributions

CHSP services are subsidised, with clients contributing towards their cost. As part of our agreement with the Commonwealth Government, Council is required to collect a contribution towards the services we provide.  To learn more, watch the short video here.

 

The forms below provide further information, noting no one is denied a service based on their inability to pay. For further information, please contact one of our friendly CHSP team members.

Client contribution schedule(PDF, 273KB)

Client Contribution Protocol(PDF, 296KB)

Client Contribution Fact Sheet(PDF, 214KB)

Negotiated Contribution Review and Outcomes Form(PDF, 407KB)

The Commonwealth Aged Care System is governed by the Aged Care Act 2024. Access to City of Unley’s CHSP services is determined by individual need and our ability to meet that need. 

To be eligible for the City of Unley CHSP you must be:

  • 65 years or older (50 years or older for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people), or
  • 50 years or older (45 years or older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) and on a low income, homeless, or at risk of being homeless,
  • Living in the City of Unley council area, and
  • Assessed as eligible by My Aged Care. 

My Aged Care

My Aged Care is the central contact point and entry pathway to Australia’s aged care system for the general public.
 
Registration and assessment provides seniors with access to basic community support services, complex community care packages or residential care.
 
Further information about My Aged Care can be found on their website.
Alternatively, you could phone them toll free on 1800 200 422 (weekdays 8am to 8pm and Saturdays 10am to 2pm).

 

1. Registration

When registering, you will be asked about your health, how you’re managing at home and any support you’re currently receiving. You can nominate a support person or advocate to speak on your behalf if you wish.

At the end of the registration, you will be informed whether you are eligible for a face-to-face assessment. If you are eligible, an assessor will contact you within three weeks to arrange a face-to-face assessment. If it is determined that you have immediate needs, My Aged Care may refer you directly to services before your face-to-face assessment takes place.

2. Face to face assessment

The face-to-face assessment will help to decide what level of support you need and provide you with a referral to an agency who can best meet those needs. 

3. Eligibility is determined 

If you are deemed eligible after the assessment, the assessor will either provide you with service referral codes or lodge referrals on your behalf. My Aged Care will provide you with a reference number (AC number) that you will need to provide to your preferred service provider, noting the City of Unley is not taking any new clients as we transition out of CHSP.

If you require more complex care, My Aged Care will arrange for you to meet with an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) to help work out more complex packages of home care (there are four levels) or access to residential care.

 

Useful organisations and information

 

Prevention of Elder Abuse

Adult Safeguarding Unit

The Adult Safeguarding Unit (ASU) became operational on 1 October 2019. The ASU responds to reports or concerns of abuse in relation to adults vulnerable to abuse aged 65 years and over, and 50 years and over for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people and from 1 October 2020 adults living with a disability. From 2022, the ASU will work with all adults who may be vulnerable to abuse. 

If you suspect you or someone you know is at risk of or is being abused, you can call the South Australian Abuse Prevention Phone Line on 1800 372 310, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm for information, support or to make a report to the Adult Safeguarding Unit, or email adultsafeguardingunit@sa.gov.au

Advocacy

Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN)

OPAN is a national network of nine state and territory organisations that aims to provide a national voice for aged care advocacy and promote excellence and consistency in the delivery of advocacy services.

Aged Rights Advocacy Service (ARAS)

ARAS offers a free, confidential and state-wide service to older people, or their representatives, who are: 

  • living in residential aged care
  • receiving Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) or Home Care Package (HCP) services
  • at risk of, or experiencing abuse from family or friends
  • living in a retirement village.

ARAS provides advocacy assistance to support older people to uphold their rights and their responsibilities.

Phone 8232 5377 or 1800 700 600 (Freecall)

Council on the Ageing (COTA)

COTA SA is the peak body promoting the rights and interests of older South Australian and influences policy and programs. COTA has extensive membership at the individual and organisational level and is able to offer a number of programs to promote health and wellbeing and increase the participation of older people in the community.  

Catalyst Foundation

The Catalyst Foundation (formerly the Seniors Information Service) is a volunteer support-based organisation that helps people understand and navigate complex social support systems. It does this by building individual capacity through information and direct support.

Opening hours :

  • Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
  • Internet Hub: Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm.

Citizens Advocacy South Australia

The priority of Citizen Advocacy South Australia is the promotion, protection and defence of personal welfare and interests of people with an intellectual disability. 

Dementia Australia

Making a complaint

Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission

The role of the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (Commission) is to protect and enhance the safety, health, well-being and quality of life of people receiving aged care.  

The Commission is the national end-to-end regulator of aged care services, and the primary point of contact for consumers and providers in relation to quality and safety.

The commission encourages clients and/or carers, if comfortable, to resolve concerns directly with the provider – but provides support to resolves concerns when direct interaction has not been effective. The website provides useful information about how to make a complaint.

Phone: 1800 951 822

Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission website

Health and Community Services Complaints Commissioner (HCSCC)

Phone: (08) 8226 8666

Email: info@hcscc.sa.gov.au

HCSCC website

The HCSCC assists service users, carers and service providers to resolve complaints about health and community services in South Australia. The office encourages and assists consumers to resolve complaints directly with the service provider, but can assist with dispute resolution when direct interaction has not been effective.

Disability Advocacy and Complaints Service of South Australia (DACSSA)

DACSSA provides support, information and advocacy for all people with disability, their families, friends and carers.

Phone: (08) 7122 6030

Email: admin@dacssa.org.au

Culturally- appropriate supports

Nunkuwarrin Yunti

This organisation provides culturally-appropriate health care and community support services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Street Address: 182 - 190 Wakefield Street, Adelaide

Phone: 8406 1600

Nunkuwarrin Yunti website 

Translation and interpreting

Support for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds

If you’re an older person from a culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) background, or you’re caring for an older person from a CALD background, there are aged care services specifically for you. Many organisations now offer specific diets, activities, languages or spiritual needs, whatever your cultural, linguistic or spiritual background.

If you speak a language other than English, you can call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) on 131 450 for support to talk to My Aged Care or with your aged care provider about your services.

TIS National covers more than 100 languages and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for the cost of a local call.

My Aged Care can help you access aged care information in other languages. There are also printable brochures, posters and spoken information in other languages to help you get started with My Aged Car

If you would like assistance with CALD information please contact one of our friendly team members on 8372 5198 to assist you with this process.

Interpreting and Translating Centre (ITC)

The ITC is a South Australian Government agency that provides confidential and professional interpreting and translation services.

Phone: 1800 280 203

Email: itc@sa.gov.au

www.translate.sa.gov.au

National Relay Service

Voice Relay: 1300 555 727

Teletypewriter (TTY): 133 677

SMS Relay: 0423 677 767 

National Disability Insurance Scheme

The NDIS provides support to eligible people with disability. 

Phone: 1800 800 110

Email: enquiries@ndis.gov.au

Carers SA

From April 2020, under the Government’s new carer support model, Carers SA is now be the main provider of services for South Australia’s 250,000 unpaid carers. Carers SA provides carers with a range of support services including

  • Carer support planning;
  • Practical support packages;
  • In-person counselling;
  • In-person peer support and coaching
  • Emergency respite care.

Phone: 1800 422 737

Email: info@carerssa.com.au

Carers SA website

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contact Us

8372 5198 or email CHSP@unley.sa.gov.au 

Useful information

Client contribution schedule(PDF, 273KB)

Scope of services(PDF, 199KB)

My Aged Care

Phone 1800 200 422 (Freecall)

My Aged Care website

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