The Home and Community Care (HACC) program in Western Australia was designed to support individuals needing assistance to live independently at home and within their community. It aimed to provide essential services to maintain their well-being and connection to community life. However, it’s important to note that the HACC program, along with its successor, the Continuity of Support (COS) program, is now closed to new applicants.
Effective July 1, 2021, most clients who were part of the HACC program transitioned to the COS program. A small number of individuals remained with HACC service providers during a transitional phase. The Purchasing and Contracting Unit (PCU) has been actively working with these remaining HACC providers to ensure a smooth transition for these clients. The goal is to move them to COS providers or, where appropriate, to alternative programs like the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) or the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) over a period of 6 to 12 months. Throughout this transition, the existing levels of support for eligible clients are being maintained to ensure their independence, well-being, and community connections are maximized.
For older individuals, specifically those aged 65 and over, and Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 and over, services have transitioned to the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) since July 1, 2018. The CHSP offers similar types of services as the former HACC/COS program. These encompass practical help such as housework, personal care assistance, meal services, social support, nursing care, provision of necessary equipment, allied health services, and home maintenance. Therefore, for older adults seeking home and community care, the CHSP is the relevant program to explore.
For younger individuals, specifically those under 65 years of age, and Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people under 50 years of age, the transition from the WA HACC/COS Program to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) began in July 2017. By July 1, 2019, the NDIS rollout in Western Australia entered its final phase. This means that younger people across all regions of Western Australia can now assess their eligibility for the NDIS. While the HACC/COS program is no longer generally available to younger individuals, those who were already receiving HACC services as of June 30, 2019, continue to receive support while their NDIS eligibility is evaluated. This ensures ongoing care during the assessment process.
In summary, the HACC program in Western Australia was a vital service that has undergone significant changes. It is no longer open to new clients. Individuals seeking home and community care support should now investigate the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) if they are older, or the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) if they are younger, to determine their eligibility and access the support they require.
Last reviewed: 20-10-2021
Produced by Purchasing and Contracting Directorate
