Using wellness and reablement (W&R) approaches to deliver support to older people is a key objective of the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP).
The 2026 Wellness and Reablement report aims to measure progress towards embedding wellness and reablement approaches in the CHSP. The report consists of 12 questions to enable the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (the Department) to gather data on the delivery and benefit of W&R services to CHSP clients, and 4 questions for administrative purposes. A Provider Guidance document has been prepared to define wellness and reablement, and provide more information for each question to assist respondents in answering questions correctly.
Providers who are unable to complete the report in the allocated period will need to request an extension via their Funding Arrangement Manager. Not completing the report may result in payments being suspended.
Reports are due by 31 July 2026. More information, including Provider Guidance can be found HERE.
If you have any questions regarding the report, please contact your Funding Arrangement Manager in the first instance, or email wellnessandreablement@health.gov.au.
Grant Opportunity: Support at Home in Thin Markets
Round 3 of the Support at Home Thin Markets Grants is now open.
The grants provide flexible funding to eligible Support at Home providers delivering:
rural and remote services in Modified Monash areas 3 to 7
specialised services in any region
culturally responsive services for older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The funding helps ensure older people in rural and remote areas, and those who use specialist services, can continue to get the care they need at a reasonable price.
Some applicants may need a Specialisation Verification for aged care services. As gathering the documents can be time-consuming, we encourage you to plan ahead.
Applications close at 2:00 pm on 26 November (AEDT).
Support at Home Escalation Pathway
The Australian Government has announced it will establish, through legislation, an escalation pathway for people with complex circumstances that are not fully captured by current arrangements when they are assigned:
an ongoing home support classification level (for Commonwealth Home Support Program or Support at Home)
a priority category for Support at Home.
The pathway will mean that assessment organisations can refer assessment outcomes to us for further consideration and possible adjustment in specified circumstances.
The Department of Health, Disability & Ageing are also reviewing the Support at Home prioritisation process.
This process will be supported by targeted consultation with key stakeholders, such as assessment organisations. It will also include the review of assessment outcomes case studies.
Victorian Senate Inquiry Submissions on the Support at Home Program
A group of Victorian Sector Support and Development (SSD) providers in partnership with Enkindle Consulting has developed two submissions to the Senate inquiry into the implementation of the Support at Home Program. Drawing on extensive consultation with mainstream aged care providers and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) across Victoria, the submissions provide valuable sector insights and practical recommendations to help inform the future implementation of the program. The mainstream sector submission draws on feedback from more than 170 survey responses and extensive sector consultation to highlight 10 key implementation challenges and recommends reforms to reduce complexity, improve timely access to care, better align care management funding, and ensure the current model is stabilised before further reforms are introduced. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander submission reflects the collective views of Victorian ACCOs and First Nations aged care providers, identifying 9 priority issues and recommending stronger accountability to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Aged Care Framework, Aboriginal-led decision-making and assessment pathways, flexible community-controlled funding, reduced financial barriers for Elders, and greater investment in the sustainability of Aboriginal community-controlled providers. Both submissions were developed collaboratively by the Victorian SSD Collective with Enkindle Consulting and provide valuable insights to help shape the future implementation of the Support at Home Program. Read the submissions HERE.
An exciting update: The partnership has been invited by the Senate Community Affairs References Committee to attend in-person at the Senate Inquiry public hearing which will be occurring in Melbourne on Monday 3rd August. Both reports will be presented and spoken to. Your voices are being heard.
Dementia Respite Education and Mentoring (DREAM) is designed to boost the capability of the aged care workforce to deliver quality dementia care. Through a dedicated portal, DREAM provides free access to education, a dynamic network and coaching tailored to individual and organisational needs.
If you are offering Respite Care - this would be a great opportunity for your staff to increase their knowledge and understanding of how to best support people living with dementia, and in turn, their carers.
Third Round of Diversity Small Grants Program Opens
Community groups and organisations wanting to boost understanding and awareness of dementia in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and CALD communities can apply for up to $30,000 in grant funding. The 2026 Diversity Small Grants program is now open for applications from organisations and community groups helping to build understanding and awareness of dementia in Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and culturally and linguistically diverse communities. Launched in 2024 by Dementia Australia, the program awards up to $30,000 per organisation to fund activities that create awareness and improve understanding about dementia in their communities. Grant recipients also receive one free professional dementia information session for their staff or committee members. Applications that target the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and/or CALD communities, or are submitted by organisations led by such communities, will be prioritised in the selection process, as will the applications that demonstrate specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-sensitive outcomes. Submissions close on 5 August. More information on how to apply can be found here.
Mental Health and Ageing Training for Volunteers
Volunteers play an invaluable role in helping older people remain connected, engaged and supported within their communities. As trusted companions, they are often well placed to notice changes in a person's wellbeing and provide meaningful social connection that can make a real difference. While mental health challenges are not a normal part of ageing, older adults can face unique life experiences that increase their risk of loneliness, anxiety and depression.
This free online Mental Health & Ageing training has been developed by the Digital Literacy Foundation to equip volunteers with the knowledge and confidence to better understand mental health in older age, recognise the signs that someone may be struggling, and respond appropriately within their volunteer role.
The self-paced training explores topics including healthy ageing, common mental health conditions, ageism, social isolation, and practical ways volunteers can support the wellbeing of older people while understanding their duty of care.
The HACC PYP Guidelines provide the policy framework for service access, delivery, performance, reporting, and funding, supporting providers to deliver high-quality, person-centred services that are responsive to individual needs and aligned with program and Department of Health objectives.
Compliance with the guidelines is a condition of funding and, alongside related policies, service agreements, and legislation, ensures consistent, transparent, and accountable service delivery while allowing providers to exercise professional judgement and respond flexibly to local circumstances.
The Grampians Sector Development continue to host a Virtual Community of Practice for HACC PYP Providers in the DFFH Central Highlands, Wimmera, South Western and Barwon regions. If you are interested in joining the community - please submit your expression of interest HERE.
A new financial year brings a new meeting schedule. Please refer to our 2026/27 Service Provider Network Meeting dates below and register to attend our upcoming meeting in September:
In addition to our Service Provider Network meetings, we will continue to run our quarterly Community of Practice meetings. These occur in the following categories with target audiences as shown below.
Allied Health & Community Nursing:
Managers and Coordinators of CHSP Services:
Allied Health & Therapy services
Nursing Care
Specialised Supports services
Social Connections:
Managers, Team Leaders and site Co-ordinators:
Social Support & Community Engagement
Direct & Indirect Transport
Independence at Home:
Managers and Coordinators of CHSP Services:
Domestic Assistance
Personal Care
Home Maintenance & repairs
Meals
Digital Monitoring and Education
Hoarding & Squalor Assistance
Respite Care
Upcoming meeting dates are shared on the relevant Trello boards and are sent via email invitation to appropriate contact lists. If you don't currently have access to a relevant Trello board or aren't receiving invitations to these meetings, please contact us at sectordevelopment@bchc.org.au
Farewell Jimmy
After five incredible years with the Sector Development Team, it's time to say goodbye to Jimmy as he embarks on his next adventure. Jimmy's last day will be Wednesday 5th August 2026.
Throughout his time with the team, Jimmy has built strong and lasting connections across the sector. His wealth of knowledge, willingness to share his expertise, and genuine commitment to supporting others have made a lasting impact on colleagues, providers, and partners alike.
Within our team, Jimmy has been a constant source of support. His calm and steady approach, thoughtful advice, and just the right amount of cheekiness have been valued by the Team.
Jimmy, thank you for everything you've contributed over the past five years. We wish you every success and happiness in your next chapter. You'll be greatly missed, but we know you'll continue to make a positive difference wherever you go.
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