Govt tweaks CHSP for ACT but leaves other states wanting
When the new Aged Care Act took effect on 1 November 2025, it stopped older Canberrans from accessing a well established respite centre.
Salvation Army-operated Burrangiri Aged Care Respite Centre, in the Canberra suburb of Rivett, was home to half of the ACT’s available respite beds.
ACT Independent Senator David Pocock sought a solution with the Federal and ACT Governments and also raised the issue during Senate Estimates. He worked with community advocates and Independent MLA Fiona Carrick to push for a solution.
Sam Rae, Minister for Aged Care and Seniors, announced last Friday (6 March) that the Government has amended Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) Grant Guidelines to open a clear funding pathway for cottage respite services to ensure older Australians in the ACT can access a Commonwealth subsidy for cottage respite where they previously could.
“Today’s announcement isn’t a guarantee of support but it does open up a pathway and shows that pressure from our community can pay off,” Senator Pocock said.
“I commend community advocates on their efforts but we shouldn’t have to fight so hard to get Canberrans access to basic, federally funded services like respite.
“While I welcome this announcement, it is a temporary fix and we need to keep working collaboratively on a long-term solution for Burrangiri and the provision of respite and aged care in the ACT more broadly.
“There is so much frustration across the ACT and around the country that governments aren’t meeting the demand for aged care supports to reduce hospital bed block, enable more older Australians to age more independently at home and delay entry to residential aged care as long as possible."
Minister Rae said his announcement provides important certainty for families who rely on Burrangiri, close to the people and places they love while the Government works towards delivering its broader commitment for new respite beds in the ACT.
But cottage respite services are at risk across the country, and the Government has not offered a solution beyond the ACT. We have asked the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing if they are considering a broader solution, but at the time of publishing had not received a response.
Senator Rae's Burrangiri announcement came the same day that Minister for Health and Ageing Mark Butler revealed the expansion of the Aged Care Capital Assistance Program with $115 million in new funding for the development of aged care beds in Perth, Adelaide, and NSW’s Illawarra and Hunter regions.
