Our guest speaker for October was Samuel Thorpe from Latrobe Community Health Services (LCHS) who are a not-for-profit health service provider, offering 100 plus services, with 1700 staff operating across 70 locations in Victoria including Benalla.
Samuel spoke about the services provided by LCHS which included personal care, nursing, household tasks, in home respite, transport and light gardening, and the changes to government funding that will apply from 1st November 2025.
People over 65 wishing to access Aged Care Services must first register with My Aged Care which is the gateway to Government funded services.
The process that follows is an assessment for suitability to receive funding through the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) or a Home Care Package (HCP).
Samuel pointed out that the Home Support program is funded by Government but the funds are allocated to the Health Service Provider whereas the Home Care Packages funds are allocated to the client. It was noted that there can be considerable wait times once assessments are completed, for a care package to be allocated.
Of interest was the Home Care Packages levels which will change from four exiting levels to seven levels.
Samuel showed two tables which summarize the key Government funding changes from 1st November 2025.
Table 1 shows the new out of pocket expense for those receiving home care services.
Samuel spoke about the services provided by LCHS which included personal care, nursing, household tasks, in home respite, transport and light gardening, and the changes to government funding that will apply from 1st November 2025.
People over 65 wishing to access Aged Care Services must first register with My Aged Care which is the gateway to Government funded services.
The process that follows is an assessment for suitability to receive funding through the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) or a Home Care Package (HCP).
Samuel pointed out that the Home Support program is funded by Government but the funds are allocated to the Health Service Provider whereas the Home Care Packages funds are allocated to the client. It was noted that there can be considerable wait times once assessments are completed, for a care package to be allocated.
Of interest was the Home Care Packages levels which will change from four exiting levels to seven levels.
Samuel showed two tables which summarize the key Government funding changes from 1st November 2025.
Table 1 shows the new out of pocket expense for those receiving home care services.
Table 2 shows the new care package levels and their respective allocated funding.
Doug Smith
Publicity Officer
