If keeping the house tidy, the lawn cut, or the gutters clear has started to feel like more work than it used to, you are not alone. Most older Australians can stay living comfortably at home with a hand on a few specific tasks, and the good news is that cleaning services for elderly pensioners are funded by the Australian Government through two main programs. You do not have to pay for it all out of pocket.
This guide walks through what is actually covered in 2026, the difference between government cleaning services for the elderly under CHSP and Support at Home, how lawn mowing and home maintenance fit in, what it costs, and how to get started without the runaround. Whether you are organising support for yourself or helping an older parent, the goal here is to give you the practical answers, not just the brochure version.
Two main programs are funding in-home support for older Australians right now:
Most pensioners receiving help with cleaning and gardening sit under the CHSP. If your care needs are more complex (regular nursing, allied health, personal care multiple times a day), Support at Home is more likely to fit. Either way, the starting point is the same: a free assessment through My Aged Care.
HomeFront is an approved provider under CHSP and also delivers DVA Household Services for eligible veterans. Whichever program you are on, the services on the ground (someone showing up to clean, mow, or fix the gate) look much the same.
House cleaning for seniors is the most-requested service under both CHSP and Support at Home. The goal is not a luxury clean; it is keeping the home safe, hygienic, and easy to move around in.
Typical tasks covered include:
What is not covered as part of standard funded cleaning:
If you need a specialist service, your provider can usually arrange it separately. HomeFront offers domestic cleaning under household services, window cleaning, and gutter cleaning, so most of these can be coordinated through one team.
One thing worth flagging: the Australian Government’s earlier proposal to cap funded cleaning at 52 hours per year under Support at Home was scrapped after public consultation. There is no hard annual cap on cleaning hours. How much you receive depends on your assessment, your care plan, and your overall budget.
Outdoor jobs are where mobility issues hit first. Lawn mowing services for pensioners are funded through both CHSP and Support at Home (under everyday living services), and they make a bigger safety difference than most people realise. A neat front yard with clear paths is the difference between confident steps and a trip hazard.
Funded lawn mowing and gardening typically cover:
What is generally not covered:
The frequency depends on the season and your plan. Most pensioners on regular lawn mowing receive a fortnightly or monthly visit in summer and less in cooler months. Your provider sets the schedule with you so it matches actual growth, not a fixed roster.
For veterans, lawn mowing is also funded through DVA Household Services, which runs on a slightly different approval process but covers the same kinds of tasks.
Home maintenance for pensioners covers the smaller fix-it jobs that keep a house safe and functional. Under CHSP, this is funded as part of the home maintenance service category. Support at Home, it falls under everyday living.
Typical funded tasks include:
The principle is safety and accessibility, not renovation. A funded handyperson can fix the wobbly handrail by your back step. They cannot rebuild the staircase. For larger jobs, your provider can refer you to private trades and, in some cases, help arrange minor home modifications (grab rails, ramps, non-slip flooring) as a funded service through a separate assessment.
For a broader sense of what to keep on top of around an older person’s home, our home maintenance checklist is a useful starting point.
The Australian Government funds most of the cost. You contribute a portion, with the exact amount depending on your circumstances, your provider, and which program you are on.
Under CHSP, providers follow the National CHSP Client Contribution Framework. Means testing does not apply. Providers ask people who can afford to contribute to do so (often a small hourly co-payment for services like cleaning or lawn mowing), and protect those who cannot. No one is refused services because they cannot afford the contribution. Each provider must publish their contribution policy, so ask for it.
Under Support at Home, your contribution is income-tested. People on a full pension generally pay little or nothing for essential services. Cleaning and gardening sit in the “everyday living” category, which attracts a higher personal contribution than clinical services like nursing. Government-set price caps for Support at Home services were deferred beyond July 2026, so prices currently vary between providers. Ask for a published price list before signing anything.
For both programs, you should never receive a surprise bill. Every service agreement must spell out what you pay, when, and for what.
Eligibility for government cleaning services for the elderly is based on age and care needs, not income. You can access support if you are:
Getting started is in three steps:
Family members and carers can do all of this on someone’s behalf with their permission. You do not have to navigate it alone.
For a fuller view of what staying at home with support actually looks like, have a look at our guide to home help for seniors or the latest on CHSP changes for 2026.
CONTACT USCHSP and Support at Home fund everyday cleaning tasks: vacuuming, mopping, bathroom and kitchen cleaning, dusting, laundry, ironing, and bed making. Specialist services like carpet steam cleaning, spring cleaning, or work at heights are not part of standard funded cleaning. Most pensioners can access these services after a free My Aged Care assessment confirms eligibility.
There is no fixed hour cap. Your hours are set during your assessment and care plan, based on your needs and overall budget. Most pensioners receive between one and three hours per week, depending on the household and any other services in the plan. The previously proposed Support at Home cap of 52 hours per year was scrapped after public feedback.
Yes. Lawn mowing, edging, and basic garden maintenance are funded under CHSP (as home maintenance) and Support at Home (as everyday living services). Approved providers like HomeFront deliver scheduled visits, usually fortnightly or monthly, depending on season and need. Major landscaping, tree removal, and specialist garden work are not covered and need to be arranged privately.
CHSP is the entry-level program for older Australians who need a hand with a few tasks, like cleaning or lawn mowing. Support at Home replaced Home Care Packages on 1 November 2025 and is for people with moderate to high care needs, using eight funding classifications. CHSP will continue until at least 30 June 2027 before transitioning to Support at Home.
Yes. With your parents’ permission, you can contact My Aged Care, attend the assessment, choose a provider, and manage the service on their behalf. Many families do this. Providers like HomeFront work directly with family members or case managers, and your parent does not need to handle the paperwork themselves if they would prefer not to.
If cleaning, lawn mowing, or basic maintenance has become harder than it used to be, government-funded support is there to take the load off. Most pensioners qualify, the contribution is small or nothing for full pensioners, and starting is a single phone call.
HomeFront is an approved provider delivering CHSP services, DVA Household Services for veterans, and NDIS support across Australia. We handle cleaning, lawn mowing and gardening, gutter cleaning, window cleaning, meal preparation, and home maintenance for older Australians who want to keep living in their own home, on their own terms.
If you are ready to talk through what support could look like for you or someone in your family, get in touch with our team or request services online. We will explain your options in plain language, and there is no obligation.
You can also reach us on 1300 20 60 40 any weekday, or send a quick SMS to 0485 865 898.