Published on Thursday, 20 August 2026 at 3:28:32 PM
MEDIA RELEASE
Issue date: 20 August 2026
Shire of Wagin welcomes Commonwealth announcement that CHSP Homecare will continue and calls for more sustainable regional funding
The Shire of Wagin welcomes today’s announcement from the Minister for Health and Ageing that the Commonwealth Government will continue to fund the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) through 2029, providing important certainty for older Australians while further work continues to ensure the financial viability of providers in regional areas.
Through Wagin Homecare, the Shire delivers CHSP to over 100 people in the district, or almost one in three people aged over 70. The Shire has proudly delivered this service on behalf of the Commonwealth Government for over forty years.
Under current funding arrangements, this vital service has been subsidised by Wagin ratepayers by $200,000 over the last three years.
Without further consideration of the funding model for the program, the continuation of CHSP in its current form will mean regional providers like the Shire must meet a sizeable funding gap to continue service delivery.
Across the board, the costs of delivering services such as gardening, transport and domestic assistance are greater than the funding provided by the Commonwealth to deliver those services.
These financial pressures have contributed to local governments across the country and the region discontinuing Homecare services.
On 31 July 2026, the Shire met with Senator Dorinda Cox to advocate for a more sustainable funding model whereby Commonwealth funding is aligned to the cost of delivering CHSP. Following the meeting, Senator Cox wrote to the Minister for Aged Care asking the Commonwealth to review its funding arrangements with the Shire.
Next week, representatives from the Shire will travel to Perth to appear before a Senate Committee to give evidence and further urge the Commonwealth to deliver Homecare funding that actually reflects the costs to regional providers.
“The Shire welcomes the continuation of CHSP; however, without real change in the funding model, this service will continue to be subsidised by ratepayers, leading to difficult questions regarding its viability,” said Deputy President Bryan Kilpatrick.
“The Shire has written to the Minister urging the Commonwealth Government to come to the table and renegotiate the Shire’s CHSP agreement in good faith. We look forward to the Commonwealth delivering on its commitment to the sustainability of CHSP.”
Today's announcement provides greater certainty for CHSP as a program, and creates an opportunity to continue working through the financial sustainability challenges associated with regional Homecare delivery.
Pictured are Senator Dorinda Cox; Homecare Manager Amy Kippin; Shire President Cr Philip Blight; Dr Kenneth Parker, CEO Shire of Wagin.
Cr Bryan Kilpatrick
DEPUTY SHIRE PRESIDENT
End of Media Release
Media Enquiries to Cr Bryan Kilpatrick | M: 0404 082 460 | E: crbkilpatrick@wagin.wa.gov.au
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