At a Moyne Shire Council meeting in December 2023, Councillors voted to retain their Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP), which has about 400 clients across south-western Victoria, about 250km west of Melbourne.
The decision comes as the Federal Government rolls out sweeping changes to home care services, and in a surprise move last November announced changes to the CHSP would be pushed back from 1 July 2025 to 1 July 2027 to avoid disruption and give providers more time to adjust.
The Council's decision is in contrast to dozens of other Victorian Councils, including Loddon, Colac Otway, and Macedon Ranges, which have decided to stop providing home care services in the face of Department of Health and Aged Care reforms.
Moyne Shire Council conducted a five-month review of its home care services.
Community consultation found clients wanted local service providers.
“The review found we can continue in this space and with the addition of Home Care Packages the service won’t run at a loss and can possibly grow," Mayor Ian Smith said.
“This is a great result for our clients, our staff and the wider Moyne community – our trusted and locally based team will continue to provide high quality care in home.”
The Council will begin now to prepare for the Federal Government’s 2027 reforms. A progress report will be handed to Councillors in 12 months' time.
