Good news, but only half the job. 

Meals on Wheels services in NSW are funded through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP), which helps older adults keep living at home.

On 20 August, after years of advocacy, the Government confirmed CHSP will stay as a separate program rather than being folded into Support at Home.

That's good news, but it's only half the job.

Why funding matters

• Almost 840,000 older Australians supported by CHSP in 2024/25
• 21% growth in CHSP funding since 2020/21, compared with 39% for residential aged care and 107% for home care packages
• Around 15% of Meals on Wheels services currently have a waitlist

The CHSP Alliance, of which Meals on Wheels NSW is a founding member, estimates CHSP is more than a billion dollars a year short of its fair share, and the effects are already showing.

CHSP is the help that comes early. A meal, a wellbeing check and a friendly conversation mean small problems get noticed before they become big ones. Underfund that, and people end up in Support at Home, which is harder to navigate, costs more and comes with long waits.

The ask

Aged care isn't someone else's issue. Sooner or later it touches every family, whether it's your parents, your partner or you.

This is a once-in-a-generation chance to get aged care right. CHSP is often the first step into aged care, helping people stay at home for longer, so investing in it now makes sense.

The CHSP Alliance is calling on the Government to add $700 million a year to CHSP in the December mid-year budget update. Meals on Wheels NSW will keep pushing alongside the Alliance until CHSP gets its fair share.

How you can help

Every voice, every story, matters.

Between now and December, your local MP needs to hear that CHSP matters to people in their electorate. MPs pay close attention to letters from their own community.

Clients and families
Tell your MP what that visit means. Is it the meal? The chat? Knowing someone will notice if something is wrong? Use the template and add a few lines in your own words.
Download the client letter

Member services
Send the Alliance provider letter to every MP in the areas you deliver to, and give your clients the chance to add their voice.
Download the provider letter

Local councils
Well-funded CHSP services help you meet your community service objectives for older residents. Raise CHSP funding with your local federal MP and get behind the Meals on Wheels services in your area.
Find your local MP

Everyone else
You probably know someone in your community who uses Meals on Wheels, or will one day. Email your local MP and ask them to back $700 million for CHSP before December. It's how we make sure the help is there when the people you care about need it.
Find your local MP

Take action before December

Step 1: Get a letter template from the CHSP Alliance → chspalliance.org.au
Step 2: Find your local MP → aph.gov.au/Senators_and_Members/Members
Step 3: Add a few lines in your own words and send it