> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://support.visualcare.com.au/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# CHSP / DEX Stage 3: what is changing and what you need to do

## Summary

From 11 August 2026, the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing is adding new reporting fields to the Data Exchange (DEX) for CHSP, known as the Stage 3 changes.

The new fields capture more detail about how a service was delivered, for example where a session took place, whether a volunteer or subcontractor was involved, and the types of meals provided. They do not change your funding, your existing outputs (meals, trips, hours), or your performance assessment.

Two companion articles cover the setup steps:

* Setting up DEX Stage 3 reporting on your CHSP services  [CHSP / DEX Stage 3: setting up reporting on your services](/untitled-page)
* Updating your DEX organisation data  [CHSP / DEX Stage 3: updating your organisation data](/untitled-page-2)

## **What is changing**

Stage 3 introduces additional session-level fields in DEX. They apply to specific service types, not all of them:

* Whether the session was delivered by a subcontractor, and whether a volunteer was involved in direct service delivery. These apply across most service types.
* For Meal delivery and respite services: whether meals were provided, whether any items were texture modified, whether meals were cooked offsite, and a breakdown of meal types (main, light, dessert, beverage, snack).
* For Meal delivery, Flexible respite, and Individual social support: whether the session took place in a home or community setting.
* For Flexible respite: whether the session included overnight support.

Some optional Transport fields (trip distance, trip travel time, and engagement time) are part of Stage 3 but are not mandatory for 2026-27. Visualcare is not capturing these in this release.

## **Key dates**

* The new fields apply to service delivery from 1 July 2026.
* The fields go live in DEX on 11 August 2026, and are mandatory from that date. There is no optional period, and a session record will not save without them.

Because the fields apply to delivery from 1 July but DEX cannot accept them until 11 August, you need to capture the new information for July and early August delivery and report it once DEX is live. Setting up your services now handles this.

## **What this means in Visualcare**

Visualcare handles the new fields in two ways:

* Some are set once on the service, under Maintenance > Services using the DEX Reporting option. These are the session location, overnight, and meal details listed above.
* Subcontractor and volunteer involvement are worked out automatically when you export to DEX, based on the assigned worker's Worker Type. No setup is required for these.

Because the meal and location details are set on the service, the recommended approach is to create service variations for the different combinations you deliver, then select the right one on the roster or timesheet. The setup article explains this in full.

## **What you need to do**

1. Before 11 August 2026, set up the DEX Reporting details on your CHSP services so your delivery from 1 July is captured correctly. See  [CHSP / DEX Stage 3: setting up reporting on your services](/untitled-page)
2. Check your Worker Types are set correctly, so subcontractor and volunteer involvement is reported accurately. See  [CHSP / DEX Stage 3: setting up reporting on your services](/untitled-page)
3. Update your DEX organisation data once the updated file is available. See  [CHSP / DEX Stage 3: updating your organisation data](/untitled-page-2)
4. From 11 August, continue exporting to DEX as normal. The new fields are included automatically based on your service setup and shift details.

## **More information**

The department's guidance sets out the full detail of the Stage 3 fields and how they apply to each service type:

* CHSP reforms overview: [Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) reforms](https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/chsp/reforms)
* CHSP Guide to Data Exchange (DEX) Stage 3 Changes: [CHSP Guide to Data Exchange (DEX) Stage 3 Changes](https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/chsp-guide-to-data-exchange-dex-stage-3-changes?language=en)