Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) scheme
Assistive technology and home modifications are products, equipment, and changes to your house that help you to live at home or within your community.
Depending on your needs, you may access equipment to help you get around (such as a wheelchair or walking frame) and live safely at home (such as adding handrails to your bath or shower). It helps you to do the things you enjoy for longer with greater accessibility, independence and safety.
This support is available through the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) scheme, which is part of the Support at Home program.
On this page
What help is available?
The AT-HM scheme enables you to access:
1. Assistive technology — products and equipment that help make tasks easier and safer. It can also help you keep doing activities independently.
Assistive technology includes:
- equipment to help you move around such as wheelchairs, walking frames, or walking sticks
- toileting supports such as bedpans and commodes
- bathing devices, including shower chairs and bath boards
- alternative and augmentative communication products
- products used for preparing and eating food, such as adaptive cutting boards, or modified cutlery.
2. Home modifications — changes to your home to make it safer and more accessible, so you can live safely at home for longer.
Home modifications include:
- lever tap sets or lever door handles
- grab rails in your shower or bathroom
- internal and external handrails
- ramps and stair lifts
- non-slip materials and mats for floors and stairs.
The AT-HM List contains the products, equipment and home modifications you can access.
How do I get funding for assistive technology and home modifications?
When you have an aged care assessment, you will find out if you are approved for the AT-HM scheme. If you are approved, the assessor will put it in your Notice of Decision and your support plan.
Funding for assistive technology and home modifications is upfront and separate from your other Support at Home services. You may be funded for assistive technology or home modifications, or both.
The table below outlines funding tiers, amounts and access periods for assistive technology and home modifications.
| Funding tier | Funding amount | Access period |
| Low | Up to $500 | 12 months |
| Medium | Up to $2,000 | 12 months |
| High | Up to $15,000* | 12 months |
| Funding tier | ||
| Low | ||
| Medium | ||
| High | ||
| Funding amount | ||
| Up to $500 | ||
| Up to $2,000 | ||
| Up to $15,000* | ||
| Access period | ||
| 12 months | ||
| 12 months | ||
| 12 months |
* Higher amounts for assistive technology can be approved with evidence
Sometimes, complex home modifications may take longer than 12 months. The funding period can be extended for an additional 12 months (24 months in total), if you and your provider can prove the process has started.
Older people with specific progressive conditions may be able to access assistive technology funding over 24 months. Funding may be extended to a total of 48 months if needed.
If you have specific needs, such as an assistance dog, you may be eligible for more funding over a longer time.
I've moved from a Home Care Package to Support at Home — can I access the same funding?
If you have unspent Home Care Package funds when you move to Support at Home, they can be used to get what you need from the AT-HM List. You must use your unspent funds first before getting any separate AT-HM scheme funding. Your provider can help you get the equipment or products you need.
How do I know which assistive technology and home modifications I need?
If you are approved for the AT-HM scheme, you may be approved for assistive technology or home modifications or both, depending on what you need.
Your Support at Home provider will discuss which equipment, products and home modifications you might need. Based on your needs, they can also organise an health professional assessment to prescribe more complex equipment or any home modifications.
Do I have to buy assistive technology, or can I rent or loan it?
You can buy, rent or loan the assistive technology that you need. You may be able to loan equipment through programs such as Motor Neurone Disease Australia. You can also rent assistive technology from a supplier if you only need the equipment for a short time. Your provider can make this arrangement.