Care in the community and your home

Our team understands that staying at home is important to you, which is why we take the time to get to know you, your preferences and partner with you to understand the care you require.

Whether you need basic home care or more complex healthcare support, we have a range of services and people to work with you. We will tailor a care plan around your approved support plan and circumstances, your needs and your interests.

Commonwealth Home Support Program

The Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) can support you at home, based on your needs and preferences. The CHSP provides entry-level support to help older people continue to live safely and independently at home and in their communities. We will talk with you to understand your needs, discuss your options and create a care plan that works now and can be reviewed in the future as your needs and preferences change.

Our experienced team of health professionals provides care for people aged 65 and over and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years and over, who have a range of healthcare needs.

CHSP is not designed for people with intensive or complex care needs. People with higher needs are supported through other aged care programs such as the Home Care Packages (which will be known as Support at Home program from 1 November 2025) and residential aged care.

If you are caring for an older person who is frail, living with dementia, has a disability or ill-health, we are here to help with a range of services to support carers and their loved ones. We can guide you through service options, obtain referrals to health professionals and connect you with our coordinated health or residential care services.

Our allied health programs offer occupational therapy, physiotherapy, exercise physiology, podiatry, speech pathology, social work and dietetics to support you to remain independent and well at home.

Our community nursing program offers:

• Short-term wound management
• Health assessments
• General continence product advice and funding applications
• Medication reviews
• Personal alarm assessments
• Carer support.

We also offer several centre-based, home-based and group programs to support your needs including:

• Falls prevention (exercise and education)
• Exercise based programs (such as osteoarthritis, strengthening and reconditioning, neurological)
• Communication/Aphasia

Social Support Individual (SSI)

SSI is flexible and responsive to your individual needs. Our program promotes an environment that encourages and supports the maintenance of daily living skills and opportunities for social interactions.

Home care packages

Help at home is different for everyone, which is why we will discuss your needs with you. You might need a little help in the garden, in preparing meals or transport to appointments. Our personalised Home Care Packages help you to stay at home, while supporting you if your needs or circumstances change to explore other options. We also offer a range of specialised healthcare support, which our dedicated professionals may also provide in your home.

When you contact us, your dedicated care partners will guide you through the aged care system. We will take the time to understand your needs and will discuss your options with you, to create a flexible plan that works now and into the future.

If you have a Home Care Package, we can help you stay at home with:

• Personal care
• Housekeeping
• Transport to appointments
• Shopping
• Meals and preparation
• Equipment to make life easier such as walking aids, wheelchairs, rails and ramps
• Health professionals such as physiotherapists and occupational therapists
• Nursing

Frequently asked questions

Why should I choose Monash Health?

• We are one of the most established and experienced providers of care at home
• We are part of Monash Health, the biggest healthcare network in Victoria which means we provide healthcare as well as home care
• Each client has a personal care manager
• All our care manager and staff are highly trained and experienced
• No hidden fees (no call fees, no travel/mileage fees, no extra fees)
• No exit fees
• We have multilingual care managers and staff

Are your care managers and care workers trained and experienced?

Yes. All our staff have formal qualifications and industry experience.

I have specific health relates care needs – can you help?

Depending on the need, we can often get staff trained to provide specific health related care, because we are part of Monash Health.

Do you charge exit fees?

No. We do not charge exit fees. All we need is 8 weeks written notice to transfer to end your contract with us.

Are your services culturally and religiously sensitive?

Yes. Monash Health is committed to providing services which respect cultural and religious diversity.

Will I be able to have the same staff each time?

Whenever possible we try to make sure you get the same workers each time. Sometimes, this is not possible though. When your normal staff are not able to be there, we will always let you know, and we will try to send someone you have met before. No matter who attends though, you can rest assured that they are well trained and experienced.

Does Monash Health charge the daily fee?

When you get a Home Care Package, you will need to complete a Centrelink Means Test. If you are assessed as a full aged care pensioner, Monash Health will not charge the basic daily fee.

If you are a part pensioner or self-funded retiree, Centrelink will advise the income tested fee that you will need to pay.

I have a letter from My Aged Care: what is the REF Code?

The REF Code indicates that your Home Care Package funding has been approved. You can now choose your Home Care Package provider and begin to organise your services.

If you would like Monash Health to provide your Home Care Package, please call (03) 9792 7788 and one of our staff will help you arrange it.

What is a care manager and what do they do?

As a Monash Health Home Care Package client you will have your own personal care manager. Our care managers are highly trained experts who specialise in helping older clients through their aged care. Care managers are a one-stop-service. They work with you to plan the services you want, and then they organise and coordinate all your services. They can also help by:

• Managing referrals to other specialist programs
• Monitoring your budget
• Visiting you at home
• Helping you work out your personalised care plan
• Working with you to achieve the things that are important to you.

How to access aged care services through Monash Health

The pathway for accessing all government funded aged care services is through My Aged Care. You can contact My Aged Care via the website or by calling 1800 200 422 (Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm; Saturday 10am to 2pm).

When you call My Aged Care, they will discuss your needs over the phone and arrange for someone to visit you for a face-to-face assessment, to determine the type of care you are eligible for. They will also advise if you need to have a financial assessment.

If you speak a language other than English, please call 131 450 to access My Aged Care interpreter services.

If you are struggling with the My Aged Care process, Monash Health’s expert care partners can help. Please call us on (03) 9792 7747 or email agedliving@monashhealth.org and let us support you through the process.

The Aboriginal Health team can assist in accessing allied health and nursing services within Monash Health, with linkages to other culturally safe aged care health services, culturally safe information and support for palliative care. You can contact the team on (03) 9792 7948 or via email aboriginalhealth@monashhealth.org.