Community Transport has always existed for one purpose, to help older people stay connected, independent and supported. For years, we have done everything possible to keep our services affordable, even as costs have risen across the sector.

Over time, several changes to the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) have created new challenges for organisations like ours. One of the most significant changes came in 2020, when CHSP funding rules were updated and providers were no longer permitted to use CHSP funds to purchase vehicles.

This change has had a major impact on Community Transport services across Australia. Vehicles are the heart of what we do, without a safe, reliable fleet, people cannot get to medical appointments, community centres, shops or social activities.

While CHSP allows leasing, leasing is tied to long-term contracts with high finance costs. Because CHSP funding is issued in short periods, long-term leases are often not viable for community organisations. This has left providers to cover large fleet costs on their own.

In addition, the new CHSP Fees Framework now places more responsibility on providers to recover the true cost of services. This means that without proper fleet funding, clients may face increasing fees simply to keep services running, something none of us want.

For many years, we absorbed these pressures. We kept fees as low as we could, and we put clients first in every decision. But today, the gap between funding and the real cost of running transport has grown too large for any provider to carry alone.

We want to be clear about one thing: We do not want clients to shoulder these costs.

No older person should miss appointments or stay home because transport becomes too expensive. That’s why we are asking for your help.

By signing this petition, you are supporting a simple, fair message:

Community Transport needs proper funding for its vehicle fleet so older Australians can continue to access safe, affordable, reliable transport.

This includes:
•    A sustainable way to fund vehicle replacement
•    Fair support for the rising cost of maintaining a transport fleet
•    Pricing settings that keep client contributions reasonable
•    A system that ensures no one is disadvantaged because of where they live

Your support can help us advocate for a fairer system that protects transport for the long term. Community Transport keeps people connected. It helps people stay well, stay active, and stay part of the community.

Together, we can ensure it stays affordable for everyone who needs it. Please sign the petition and add your voice to our community’s call for fair, sustainable transport funding.