Where does Occupational Therapy fit within CHSP?

Occupational Therapy can support older people receiving CHSP to maintain their independence, safety and participation at home and in the community.

Depending on the person's needs and the services available through their CHSP provider, OT involvement may include:

• functional and environmental assessment

• falls prevention

• reablement and maintaining independence

• assistive technology

• home modifications

• strategies to support daily activities

• education and advice

• review of existing equipment or environmental supports.

 

As with any funding program, the availability of CHSP funding does not determine the OT's clinical recommendation. The OT remains responsible for assessing the person's individual needs and providing clinically appropriate advice within their professional scope.

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Last updated: September 2026

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How is CHSP different from Support at Home?

This is one of the most important distinctions for OTs working in community aged care. CHSP and Support at Home are separate programs.

 

Support at Home replaced Home Care Packages and Short-Term Restorative Care, but CHSP continues to operate separately during the transition to the new aged care system.

 

This means OTs should not assume that Support at Home processes automatically apply to CHSP.

 

There are important differences in areas such as:

• how services are funded

• how providers receive funding

• participant access and referrals

• service availability

• assistive technology and home modification arrangements

• participant contributions

• provider processes and local service capacity.

 

For OTs working across both programs, identifying which program the person is receiving services through should occur early in the referral process.

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Related guide: [Support at Home for Occupational Therapists →]

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How is Occupational Therapy funded under CHSP?

CHSP operates through government-funded service providers rather than providing each participant with an individual ongoing budget equivalent to a Support at Home classification.

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Providers are funded to deliver particular CHSP service types within their funded arrangements and available service capacity.

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This has practical implications for Occupational Therapists.

A person may be eligible for a service, but the availability and process for accessing that service can depend on the provider, its funded services and local capacity.

OTs should therefore clarify:

• what service has been requested

• which CHSP provider is funding or delivering it

• the scope of the referral

• what has been authorised

• processes for additional recommendations

• how assistive technology or home modification recommendations will be progressed.

 

Assistive Technology under CHSP

Assistive technology can form part of CHSP support where it assists an older person to maintain independence, function or safety.

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For Occupational Therapists, the clinical role remains focused on determining whether an intervention is appropriate for the individual rather than simply identifying an item that may be available through a funding program.

Depending on the intervention, this may involve assessment of the person's function, goals, environment and risks and consideration of appropriate alternatives.

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The funding and procurement pathway, however, is different from the Support at Home AT-HM Scheme.

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OTs working across CHSP and Support at Home should therefore avoid assuming that the same funding tiers, approval pathways or processes apply.

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Home Modifications under CHSP

Home modifications may be available through CHSP to support an older person's safety and independence within their home.

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Occupational Therapists may be involved in assessing functional performance, identifying environmental barriers and recommending modifications that respond to the person's individual needs.

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The scope of OT involvement will depend on the complexity of the modification and the person's circumstances.

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As with assistive technology, OTs should distinguish between their clinical and functional recommendations and the responsibilities of builders, tradespeople and other professionals involved in determining construction methods, structural requirements and regulatory compliance.

Local provider processes may also influence how a recommendation progresses from OT assessment to approval and implementation.

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What should OTs know before accepting a CHSP referral?

A CHSP referral should provide enough information for the OT to understand why their involvement has been requested and what service has been authorised.

Before commencing, it may be useful to clarify:

• the reason for referral

• the person's goals and identified needs

• the CHSP service involved

• the expected scope of OT involvement

• what funding or service has been authorised

• documentation requirements

• who will receive and action recommendations

• what happens if additional needs are identified.

 

This is particularly important when the OT is working externally to the CHSP provider.

Identifying an additional need during assessment does not necessarily mean the provider has funding or capacity to implement that recommendation immediately.

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Documentation for CHSP Occupational Therapy

There is no single OT document that will suit every CHSP referral.

Documentation should reflect the purpose of the service, the complexity and risk involved, professional record-keeping requirements and what the intended recipient needs to understand or action.

 

The information required for a straightforward equipment recommendation may be different from that required for a complex home modification assessment or broader functional assessment.

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Regardless of format, documentation should clearly communicate the OT's assessment, clinical reasoning, recommendations and any actions required.

The aim should be proportionate, useful and defensible documentation, rather than producing lengthy reports simply because the service occurs within aged care.

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CHSP and reablement

CHSP has a strong focus on supporting older people to maintain or improve independence rather than automatically replacing tasks a person may still be able to perform. This aligns closely with Occupational Therapy practice.

 

OTs can contribute through environmental adaptation, task modification, assistive technology, skill development, education and strategies that support participation in everyday activities.

 

A reablement approach does not mean that every person is expected to improve. Intervention should remain responsive to the person's circumstances, goals, strengths and changing needs.

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Common CHSP questions from Occupational Therapists

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Has CHSP been replaced by Support at Home?

No. CHSP currently remains a separate community aged care program. Occupational Therapists should therefore distinguish between CHSP and Support at Home when interpreting referrals, funding and service processes.

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Does a CHSP participant have an individual budget?

CHSP operates differently from the individual ongoing budgets used within Support at Home. Services are delivered through funded CHSP providers and are subject to the provider's funded service arrangements and capacity.

 

Does the Support at Home AT-HM Scheme apply to CHSP clients?

CHSP and Support at Home have different arrangements for assistive technology and home modifications. OTs should identify the person's funding program rather than automatically applying Support at Home AT-HM processes to a CHSP referral.

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Can Occupational Therapy be provided through CHSP?

Yes. Occupational Therapy can be provided within relevant CHSP service arrangements where it relates to the older person's assessed needs and the services available through the provider.

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Can CHSP fund home modifications?

Home modifications are included within the CHSP service framework, subject to relevant program requirements, provider arrangements and available services.

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CHSP practice support for Occupational Therapists

Occupational Therapists working in community aged care increasingly need to understand both CHSP and Support at Home and recognise where the programs operate differently.

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Way Forward OT provides practical education and resources to help OTs understand Australian community aged care funding and translate program requirements into everyday practice.