CHSP physiotherapy: getting physio at home through the Commonwealth Home Support Program

If you or a parent needs a little help to stay independent at home, the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) may be the first stop. CHSP physiotherapy gives eligible older Australians access to subsidised allied health services, including physiotherapy, usually for a small contribution. It is designed for people with entry-level needs, while Support at Home is for people with more complex needs.

This guide explains what the CHSP funds, what you might pay, how to get access through My Aged Care, and how it differs from Support at Home. It is general information only, current as at September 2026, and not financial or medical advice. My Aged Care, your provider and your health professional can advise on your situation.

The short answer

• The CHSP is an entry-level in-home aged care program. Its services include nursing and allied health, such as physiotherapy.
• It is for people aged 65 and over, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 and over, and people aged 50 and over who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
• You need to register with My Aged Care and have an aged care assessment.
• Clients are expected to contribute to the cost if they can afford to. Contributions vary between providers and must be agreed before services start. Nobody is refused services because they cannot pay.
• The CHSP has been extended to 30 June 2027 and will move into Support at Home no earlier than 1 July 2027.

What the CHSP is

The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing describes the CHSP as an entry-level in-home aged care support program that helps older people live independently at home and in their community. Its aims are to focus on enabling older people rather than doing things for them, and to give a small amount of help to a large number of people.

Services the CHSP can provide include help around the house, transport, meals, personal care, home adjustments, social support, nursing and allied health, and planned respite for carers. Physiotherapy falls under allied health.

What CHSP physiotherapy can help with

Because the CHSP is about keeping people independent, physiotherapy usually targets practical goals, such as:

• improving balance and reducing the risk of falls
• building leg strength to get up from a chair, bed or toilet
• walking more confidently around the home and neighbourhood
• managing pain from arthritis or back problems
• choosing and using a walking aid safely
• a home exercise program to keep progress going between visits

When physiotherapy happens at home, your physio can see the stairs, bathroom and chairs you use every day and set exercises that fit your space.

Our falls prevention guide gives a sense of the kind of work involved.

What does CHSP physiotherapy cost?

CHSP providers receive government grant funding and deliver subsidised services. According to the department’s CHSP charging guidance and program information:

• Clients are expected to contribute towards the cost of their services if they can afford to.
• Contributions vary between providers. Each provider must have a publicly available client contribution policy.
• Contributions must be agreed with you before services start, as part of your service agreement.
• You will not be asked to cover the full cost of services, and a provider cannot charge a contribution greater than the actual cost of the service.
• You will not be denied services if you are unable to contribute. Providers must consider your capacity to pay and have hardship arrangements.

Useful questions to ask a provider before you agree:

• How much is the contribution for each physiotherapy visit?
• Are visits delivered in my home or at a clinic?
• How many visits are likely, and how will my progress be reviewed?
• What happens if I cannot afford the contribution?

Ask any provider for their contribution policy and the exact amount before you agree to services.

How to get physiotherapy through the CHSP

1. Register with My Aged Care online at myagedcare.gov.au or by calling 1800 200 422. A family member or carer can help with your permission.
2. Have an aged care assessment. Since the new Aged Care Act started on 1 November 2025, clients must be registered and assessed to receive government-funded CHSP services. Mention falls, near misses, pain or difficulty with stairs, showering or getting up.
3. Receive your approval letter. It sets out the services you are approved for. If your needs are more complex, you may be approved for Support at Home instead.
4. Choose a provider. Use the Find a provider tool on My Aged Care. You can use a different provider for each CHSP service.
5. Agree on your services and contributions in a service agreement, then your physiotherapist assesses you and sets goals with you.

CHSP or Support at Home?

Both programs help older people stay at home, and the assessment decides which suits your needs.

• Level of need. The CHSP is for entry-level support. Support at Home, which replaced Home Care Packages on 1 November 2025, is for more complex needs, with funding based on your assessed classification.
• What you pay for physio. Under the CHSP, a provider-set contribution usually applies. Under Support at Home, physiotherapy is a clinical support and carries no participant contribution.
• Future changes. The CHSP has been extended to 30 June 2027 and will move into Support at Home no earlier than 1 July 2027.

For a side-by-side look at both programs, see our guide to physiotherapy through My Aged Care, and for the higher-needs program, Support at Home physiotherapy.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a GP referral for CHSP physiotherapy?

Access to the CHSP comes through My Aged Care registration and an aged care assessment rather than a GP referral. Your GP can still help by supporting your registration and sharing health information.

I was on the CHSP before November 2025. Do I need to do anything?

If you have already had an aged care assessment, you can keep receiving services. If you are not sure whether you have been assessed, contact your CHSP provider or My Aged Care.

Can I have physio at home through the CHSP?

Many allied health services are delivered in the home. Ask your provider how and where they deliver physiotherapy.

What if I need more physio than the CHSP provides?

You might be reassessed for Support at Home if your needs have increased, or combine CHSP services with other options such as a Medicare GP chronic condition management plan, private health insurance or private sessions.

Talk to us about CHSP physiotherapy

We visit older people at home across Melbourne and the Geelong region and can help you understand your referral and entitlements through My Aged Care. Learn about our aged care physiotherapy, then make a referral or contact our team on 03 8824 0712.

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