The CHSP Alliance is calling on the Federal Government to address what it describes as a funding imbalance in aged care by making a significant new investment in the Commonwealth Home Support Program.
In its Investing in Primary Aged Care submission, the Alliance proposes a three-year funding equity program, starting with at least $700 million in additional annualised funding in the December 2026 Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook. It estimates CHSP funding could eventually reach around $5.5–$6 billion a year.
The Alliance says CHSP supports around 838,000 people but has experienced much slower funding growth than other major aged care programs. Government expenditure increased by about 21 per cent between 2020–21 and 2024–25, compared with 39 per cent for residential aged care and 107 per cent for Home Care Packages.
The proposed funding increase would focus on expanding service capacity, reducing waiting times, supporting the workforce and improving access in regional, rural and remote communities.
The Alliance also wants future CHSP funding to respond to population growth, demand, service use and delivery costs rather than relying mainly on historical funding and indexation.