RESOURCES & SERVICES
Data Exchange Dictionary (Stage 1)
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing has released the Data Exchange Dictionary (Data Dictionary). This document assists CHSP service providers in understanding and adhering to reporting requirements when entering data into the Data Exchange (DEX). This guidance includes information on the staged approach to DEX changes, program activity by CHSP service type, and non-compulsory fields. When reading, providers should also refer to their CHSP Funding Agreement and Activity Work Plan (AWP), CHSP 2025-27 Manual, CHSP DEX Stage 1 Provider Toolkit, DEX Portal e-Learning modules, and CHSP 2025-27 extension resources.
New Speak My Language (Disability) Video Podcast Series
Ethnic Communities’ Council of NSW (ECCNSW) have a new Speak My Language (Disability) video podcast series with episodes available for the first time in Auslan (Australian Sign Language). This national initiative is funded by the Department of Social Services, and features more than 30 conversations in 15 languages. The series contains stories from culturally diverse and Indigenous Australians with disability, and their supporters, and shares experiences, resources and tips on living well with disability.
Dementia and Palliative Care Directory
South Western Sydney Primary Health Network (SWSPHN) has developed a services directory containing local, state and national dementia and palliative care services. This directory can be used by families, carers, and people living with dementia, and includes advocacy, dementia services and programs, food services, advance care planning, pet services, and more. A free downloadable PDF booklet of the directory is also available.
Supporting Older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People Living at Home
A new resource has been developed by Independent Living Assessment (iLA) for the LiveUp healthy ageing initiative, to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living at home. Co-designed with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and older people, this resource shows options for aids and equipment which can empower older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to accomplish daily tasks independently.
Keep Able Wellness and Reablement Hub
Keep Able is a free digital hub funded by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, which contains several evidence-based wellness and reablement resources to support the delivery of aged care. Resources include fact sheets, templates, professional development training, videos, and more.
Service Agreement Guidance Materials for CHSP Providers
These resources support CHSP providers in completing Service Agreements, including Care and Service Plans with each client. Resources include templates, checklists and user guides detailing steps that providers need to take with both new and existing CHSP clients, to align with the commencement of the new Aged Care Rules.
SydWest Backswing Project – Job Preparation and Employer Engagement Program
The Backswing Project is a federally funded initiative developed by SydWest, designed to support people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds living with a disability through their employment journey. This 18-week program aims to improve economic participation and support both employer and employee in the process of upskilling and gaining real-life work experience. Any organisations providing support to people with disability from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds who are interested in being a part of this project can contact Patricia Serafine, Backswing Coordinator, via the details provided.
NDRP’s Evidence to Action Program
This program of events, led by National Disability Research Partnership (NDRP), brings together disability advocates and representative organisations, service providers, researchers, people with lived experience, and decision-makers. These events collect and analyse evidence, collaborate with others, and discuss how to apply evidence to drive changes in policies and practices. Recordings are available of previous events.
PDCN Advocacy & Information Services in NSW
Physical Disability Council of NSW (PDCN) has developed a list of advocacy and information services in NSW. This includes disability gateway services, advocacy organisations representing a number of different physical disabilities, organisations specialising in supporting people with disability from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and more.
Resources: Aged Care for First Nations People
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission has compiled some resources for providers in several formats. These include a communications toolkit, posters for display around the workplace, and educational videos for training service employees in providing aged care services. These resources can be used to reinforce culturally safe practice when working with First Nations older people.
Grant Opportunity GO7882: Aged Care Award Wages – Historical Leave Liabilities Increases – 1 March and 1 October 2025
This grant provides $41.92 million in one-off funding for 2025–26 to help eligible aged care providers pay staff taking leave at higher wage rates following Fair Work Commission Aged Care Work Value Case decisions effective 1 March and 1 October 2025. Funding covers nurses and other aged care workers under relevant awards. Applications close at 2.00pm (ACT Time) on 9 December 2025 via the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing online portal.
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT & RESOURCES
Policy and Practice Support and Advisory Service
Western Sydney Community Forum provides a support and advisory service to disability advocacy organisations, CHSP providers and other community organisations. This service provides assistance with enquiries relating to policy, governance and operations and on a range of areas such as:
- Sector reform and impact on operations
- Training and developmentÂ
- Legislation and policy
- Compliance
- Workforce
- Community organisations, networks and contactsÂ
- Community development, case management and other practice approachesÂ
- Social impactÂ
- Evaluation and measurementÂ
- Co-design, collective impact, ABCD and other approaches
- Governance and leadershipÂ
- Grants and tendersÂ
- Demographic information and dataÂ
- Social planning and policyÂ
- Project planning and designÂ
- Community meeting spacesÂ
- Leading consultation, engagement and inclusive practices.
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To access this service, please contact us on 9687 9669 or at [email protected].
Western Sydney Community Forum 2025 Community Care Forum CalendarÂ
Throughout the year, Western Sydney Community Forum delivers a range of events to support organisations and their staff to engage with others in the sector and stay up to date with reforms, training, and best practice. These include Community Care Forums tailored to those on the front line of the aged care, disability and community care sectors, and Community Care Leaders Forums to provide leaders, managers and CEOs with the latest resources, collaboration and training opportunities across Western Sydney. To get ahead on these events, as well as access information on related forums convened by others in the Western Sydney region, see our 2025 Community Care Forum Calendar.
First Nations CHSP Support Advisory Service
A First Nations CHSP support advisory service is offered to providers by Gilgai Aboriginal Centre. This is to support First Nations organisations and CHSP providers who work with First Nations older people. For more information, contact Gilgai on 02 9832 3825 or at [email protected].
Gilgai Volunteer Workforce Advisory Service
Gilgai Aboriginal Centre provides a CHSP Volunteer Workforce Advisory Service to organisations and CHSP providers that work with First Nations older people. For more information or to access the service, contact Gilgai on 02 9832 3825 or at [email protected].
Community Care News Digest Feedback Survey
The News Digest is primarily focused on disseminating information about aged care and older people, and disability and disability advocacy. It also shares information that is useful to people working with people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, LGBTIQA+ communities, and people with disability, and other areas that may intersect with aged care and the older population. We welcome feedback on how you use the News Digest, whether the information distributed has been valuable for your work, and if there is anything else you would like to see added into the Digest. The survey will remain open for ongoing feedback.
Western Sydney Community Forum Affordable Translation Services
Western Sydney Community Forum offers a trusted document translation service for small and large organisations and businesses. We use NAATI-accredited translators with expertise in translating a range of documents to assist with your service delivery, from simple brochures to complex and sensitive publications. Members can access this service at a subsidised cost.
For more information, contact [email protected].
My Aged Care consumer resources
The My Aged Care website features a range of resources for you to share with consumers about how to get started with My Aged Care.
These resources include case study videos for:
- people who speak languages other than English
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
- You can view or download all of these resources from the My Aged Care website.
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Free guide: Adding value to governance in aged care
The Governance Institute of Australia has a free guide, ‘Adding value to governance in aged care’ to help providers manage their governance responsibilities.
The free guide addresses a broad range of issues including:
- the role of governance and a director
- the unique challenges facing the sector
- factors to consider before taking a board position
- issues the board should consider when appointing a new member
- the relationship between the board and management
- risk management
- interaction with stakeholders.
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