Concerns about the sustainability of Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) services and the Integrated Assessment Tool (IAT) have been raised at the Senate inquiry into the Support at Home program.
Representatives from Western Australia’s Shire of Wagin told the inquiry that delivering CHSP services at a loss has placed significant financial pressure on councils. The shire reported subsidising its CHSP operations by around $200,000 over three years, highlighting concerns that current funding arrangements may not be sustainable for some providers.
The WA Government also raised concerns about the IAT, particularly the limited ability of experienced clinical assessors to override assessment outcomes when they believe these do not reflect an older person’s circumstances. The government has called for the assessment process to better accommodate individual complexity, urgency and clinical judgement.
The Senate inquiry is continuing, with its report due on 24 November 2026.