A big thank you to CHSP providers who helped shape a strong, united submission to the Senate Inquiry on the CHSP transition.
The Grampians Sector Development Team, as part of the Victorian Sector Support and Development Partnership, supported its development, with Enkindle Consulting leading engagement and drafting.
The submission reflects input from over 138 representatives across 67+ organisations – including metro, regional, rural, Aboriginal-controlled and culturally diverse providers.
It outlines 12 practical recommendations to protect access to flexible, local and culturally safe care – and calls for time, transparency and a staged approach before any transition to Support at Home.
We know how stretched providers are right now. But this is one of those moments where your voice really matters.
The first three months of reform have been big, and for many providers, relentless. We’re hearing early signals across the sector, and now is the time to capture them properly, the pressure points, the surprises, and what needs to change so reform can actually work in practice.
Enkindle’s Home Care Provider Outlook Survey 2026 is designed to capture the real impacts of the Aged Care Act and Support at Home reform on CHSP and Support at Home care providers, ensuring their experience is reflected in the national evidence base.
Enkindle will publish a summary findings report in the first half of 2026, bringing together provider insights to highlight the real issues and priorities for action, ahead of the Senate inquiry into home care later this year.
The survey takes around 20 minutes, and all responses are anonymous.
Thank you in advance for contributing your insight and experience.
PS: Even one response per organisation makes a difference. Please forward this to others in your organisation who can contribute.
Help Shape Support at Home Pricing Advice
The Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority (IHACPA) invites in-home aged care providers to participate in the Support at Home cost collection.
This year, due to expanded collections, both Support at Home and Commonwealth Home Support Program providers can participate.
By taking part, you can help capture the initial costs of the new Support at Home program and inform IHACPA’s pricing advice to government.
You will also receive a benchmarking report with valuable insights about your services.
The 2026 Aged Care Provider Workforce Survey opened on 16 February. It runs for 6 weeks, closing on 27 March.
The survey helps us better understand the aged care workforce and informs policy decisions.
A sample of services will be invited to participate, including:
residential aged care
Support at Home
Commonwealth Home Support Program.
All Multi-Purpose Services and National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care services are invited to participate.
HealthConsult will conduct the survey and email selected services one week before it opens. Services are encouraged to prepare the required information early.
Assistance is available for people who can’t afford their aged care costs. This applies to Support at Home and residential aged care services, including for respite.
Older people, or their representatives, can apply by completing the aged care claim for financial hardship assistance form and submitting it to Services Australia. If approved, the Australian Government will pay some or all fees directly to the provider.
There are no changes to hardship assistance in the Aged Care Act 2024.
Support at Home providers should ask participants to tell them when they apply for hardship assistance. This means providers can pause contributions while an application is being assessed.
The Department have published frequently asked questions (FAQs) about associated providers.
The FAQs respond to questions raised at the webinar in December. They explain how associated providers fit within the regulatory model under the Aged Care Act 2024, including:
what it means to be an associated provider
how they differ from an aged care worker
whether they need to register with the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.
This free event is a fantastic opportunity to hear from an inspiring range of speakers as they explore the future of volunteering and in‑home aged care.
To register CLICK HERE or for more information, please CLICK HERE to view the flyer.
Diversity Programs and Resources Stakeholder Toolkit
A new toolkit is available to support communication with aged care providers about delivering inclusive, respectful and responsive care to older people from diverse backgrounds.
The toolkit includes key messages, ready‑to‑use content and links to practical resources and support programs that you can share with your networks.
We encourage you to use and adapt these materials in your newsletters, emails, websites and social media.
Reflective Conversations Workshop - Advanced Care Planning
This session will be a practical and interactive online workshop brining Advanced Care Planning to life in preparation for ‘Advanced Care Planning Week’ (16-22 March 2026).
It will focus on how CHSP workers can introduce Advanced Care Planning conversations respectfully and in a way that supports client dignity, autonomy and cultural preferences. We will explore case studies and practical ways to embed Advanced Care Planning awareness into routine interactions, understand documentation plus relevant referral pathways and alignment to the strengthened Aged Care Standards.
A Member of the Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission will be present for some of this session.
By the end of this 90min workshop participants will be able to:
Understand CHSP responsibilities and boundaries related to Advance Care Planning
Explain the purpose of Advanced Care Planning to clients in a neutral and respectful way
Recognise how Advanced Care Planning supports the Quality Standards, particularly: dignity and choice, personalised care and support, and organisational governance
Document Advanced Care Planning interactions and client responses accurately
Identify appropriate referral pathways for clients interested in completing Advanced Care Planning
Reflect on your own communication, assumptions, and role in supporting person‑centred practice.
When:Thursday 12 March 2026, 1.30pm – 3pm (AEDT)
Target Audience:
Suitable for all CHSP Service provider Managers, Team Leaders, Coordinators and Care Workers.
Thrive, Elevate Your Performance from the Inside Out
This session will be 60min in length and facilitated by Ashley Whitehead from EQ Minds who presented at our May 2025 Best Practice in Ballarat.
The session will cover:
The Power of our Emotions and Emotional Contagion: Exploring how mood and mindset influence teams, and simple strategies to lift team culture and energy
Micro Habits for Mental Health: How small, consistent wellbeing practices, grounded in mindfulness, can help build resilience, reduce overwhelm, and create space to recharge in the midst of busy days
Thrive Through Change: Understanding the emotional impact of change and how to stay grounded through transitions using evidence-based wellbeing tools
Boundaries for Wellbeing: Understanding the role of healthy boundaries in protecting energy, reducing compassion fatigue, and improving communication.
When: Thursday 19 March 2026, 10am - 11am (AEDT)
Target Audience: Suitable for all CHSP Service provider staff from front line staff right through to Executive and Board. There are no attendee limits.
Join us for a 90-minute webinar where Enkindle Consulting will facilitate a session unpacking the new Supporter Framework under the Aged Care Act 2024.
During this session, we will:
Provide an overview of the framework and how it will work
Unpack the key actions or responsibilities of providers in the Supporters Framework and how it differs from other nominee and decision-making roles
Consider practical implementation actions required to implement the framework within the organisation practices
Identify key stakeholders that are impacted and consider change management tools such as a communication plan to support implementation.
When: Thursday 26 March 2026 1.00pm – 2.30pm (AEDT) *please note that this session was initially scheduled to occur on Wednesday 11 March and has been postponed*
Who should attend: CHSP Executives, Senior Managers and Team Leaders responsible for governance and compliance under the Aged Care Act 2024.
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