Senate report into CHSP is important milestone in enabling older Territorians stay independent

29 Jun 2026

COTA NT has welcomed the Senate Community Affairs Committee report recognising the vital role of the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) in enabling older Territorians to remain independent and connected to their communities. 

The report is particularly significant for the Northern Territory, where older people face unique challenges including geographic isolation, limited service availability and the need for culturally appropriate care across diverse communities. Entry-level supports such as CHSP play a critical role in helping older Territorians remain living safely at home while easing pressure on hospitals and residential aged care.

COTA NT welcomed the Committee’s clear message that preventative, entry-level supports must remain a strong foundation of the aged care system and that any future reforms must be shaped through genuine consultation and co-design with older people. 

The organisation also supported the recommendation that no decisions be made about the future of CHSP — Including whether it remains a standalone program or transitions into Support at Home — without proper consultation and acknowledged the Committee’s view that further time is needed to ensure reforms are implemented effectively.

COTA NT emphasised the importance of a clear, staged approach to reform to ensure continuity of services across the Territory, particularly in remote and regional areas where service delivery is more complex. COTA NT CEO Sue Shearer said older Territorians must remain at the centre of reform decisions and that changes must deliver real improvements in care.

“Entry-level supports like CHSP are what enable many older Territorians to remain independent, connected and living in their own communities,” Ms Shearer said.

“Older people support reform, but they want confidence that any changes will improve outcomes—not create gaps or uncertainty in service delivery. In the Northern Territory, that means recognising the importance of flexible, locally delivered and culturally appropriate services, particularly for Aboriginal communities, and ensuring these are strengthened under any future model.”

#### Media contact

Sue Shearer, Chief Executive Officer, Council on the Ageing NT (COTA NT)
Phone: 08 8941 1004 (Mon–Fri, 9am–3pm), Email: