Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) scheme

About the scheme

The AT-HM scheme gives Support at Home participants separate access to assistive technology and home modifications, without needing to save up funds from their quarterly budgets for ongoing services.  

We are exploring a National Assistive Technology Loans scheme (AT Loans scheme) with state and territory governments to support access to assistive technology.

Accessing the scheme

Older people will be assessed for the AT-HM scheme as part of their aged care assessment.  

If needed, the participant will be approved for a suitable funding tier. Assessors may approve for: 

• an assistive technology funding tier
• a home modifications funding tier
• both. 

A participant’s approval will be outlined in their Notice of Decision and support plan. 

These funds are allocated through the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications Priority Systems. These are separate to the Support at Home Priority System, so participants may be allocated AT-HM funding before their ongoing funding.   

Participants will be able to access their AT-HM funding once they have been allocated funding, found a provider and the provider notifies Services Australia.  

If the participant’s funding tier is not sufficient, their provider can request a Support Plan Review and give evidence of need to increase their funding tier.   

Participants who transitioned from the Home Care Packages (HCP) Program must use their unspent HCP funds to access the scheme in the first instance.  

Assistive technology

Assistive technology includes items, pieces of equipment or products that help a participant to: 

• do things more easily
• complete activities they can no longer do independently.  

Examples of assistive technology include: 

• mobility equipment, such as walking sticks, walking frames and wheelchairs
• toileting supports, such as bedpans and commodes
• bathing devices, such as shower chairs and bath boards.

Funding is generally available for 12 months of the participant signing the service  agreement and must be indicated on the monthly statement.

• Participants with specific progressive conditions automatically have 24 months to spend funds. They can apply for an additional 24-month extension (48 months in total).

Funding tiers

The assistive technology funding tiers are: 

This funding will cover: 

• the items
• a prescription from a health professional, if needed
• wraparound supports to ensure the participant can use the item safely and effectively
• administration/coordination activities.

Accessing AT high tier funding over $15,000

Participants may access assistive technology funding over $15,000 if required to meet their assessed needs. You will need to: 

1. complete the request form
2. gather evidence for the request (e.g., quote and valid prescription from a suitably qualified health professional)
3. lodge the form and evidence to the participant’s record via the My Aged Care Service and Support Portal
4. call My Aged Care service provider and assessor helpline to validate your submission for processing. 

We aim to process these requests within 14 calendar days. We may request further evidence to complete the request, which may cause delays.

Home modifications

Home modifications include changes to a participant’s home environment to make it safer and more accessible. 

Home modifications can include: 

• grab rails in the shower or bathroom
• internal and external handrails
• ramps and stair lifts
• bathroom redesign (e.g., changing the layout to improve accessibility)
• widening doorways and passages (e.g., to allow for wheelchair access). 

Funding tiers

The home modifications funding tiers are: 

Funding is available for a 12-month period. High tier funding may be extended to 24 months if evidence of progress is provided to Services Australia. You must indicate when funding expires on a participant’s monthly statement. 

Accessing with short term pathways

Participants in the Restorative Care Pathway can access assistive technology (all tiers) and home modifications (low and medium funding tiers). 

Participants in the End-of-Life Pathway can access assistive technology (low and medium funding tiers).

AT-HM list

The AT-HM list outlines the products, equipment and home modifications that participants can access through the AT-HM scheme. 

The AT-HM list describes how a participant can access each item safely and effectively: 

1. Low risk: simple, low-cost daily living products that do not need a prescription or customisation.
2. Under advice: items that are generally low risk but would benefit from professional advice to ensure that they are selected, installed or used effectively.
3. Prescribed: these are more complex or costly products and equipment, often adapted to meet individual needs. A suitably qualified health professional (e.g., occupational therapist or physiotherapist) must prescribe these items. 

Excluded items

The AT-HM list excludes products and equipment that are: 

• more appropriately funded by other government services
• a usual household or discretionary expense
• for use in a workplace
• for mass transit (e.g., public transport)
• for children. 

National Assistive Technology Loans scheme

We are exploring delivery of a National Assistive Technology Loans scheme (the AT Loans scheme) with state and territory governments.  

The AT-HM scheme will have a loan-before-buy principle for assistive technology where appropriate.  

• When a participant is prescribed an item from the AT-HM list that can be loaned, prescribers will be able to check that it’s available through the AT Loans scheme in their state or territory.
• If the equipment is not suitable or available in the AT Loans scheme, you can support the participant to purchase the item.  

Low risk, low-cost items will not be included in the AT Loans scheme and can be purchased using AT-HM funding.  

Home modifications are not available through the AT Loans scheme. 

We are planning a staged implementation of the AT Loans scheme. Start dates will vary depending on the progress in each state and territory. We will provide more information about the AT Loans scheme as it becomes available. 

Coordinating AT-HM services

You are responsible for arranging and sourcing any required AT-HM items and services, including prescription and wraparound services, in accordance with the participant’s assessed needs.  

You can purchase or loan assistive technology and home modifications through: 

• an assistive technology supplier
• a qualified building professional for home modifications
• private rental arrangements
• AT Loans scheme (once available).

Find out about: 

• the costs of AT-HM items and services
• claiming for AT-HM items and services.

Record keeping

For all AT-HM items, you must obtain an invoice plus at least one additional piece of documentation to demonstrate confirmation of delivery. This includes: 

• care notes
• clinician records
• participant’s signature on a delivery slip, receipt or invoice
• photos or videos of installed assistive technology or completed home modifications
• records that demonstrate delivery and show:
  • details of items
  • participant’s name and address
  • details of delivery (including date and time)
  • photos of the AT-HM item at participant’s address. 

Repairs and maintenance

The cost of repairs and maintenance of assistive technology purchased through the AT-HM scheme should be funded through a participant’s AT-HM funding allocation. 

If a participant’s funds have expired and their assistive technology requires maintenance or repairs, you can refer them for a Support Plan Review to access AT-HM funding. 

You should discuss these options with the participant and document in their care notes.

Remote supplement

This supplement applies to participants living in an area in the Modified Monash Model (MMM) classification 6 or 7 to help with the cost of AT-HM services and items in remote areas.  

For more information about the remote supplement.

Participant contributions

AT-HM items are categorised as independence services under the Support at Home service list, so participants will need to contribute to some of the cost. A participant’s contribution level is determined by an income and assets assessment.  

Prescription and wrap-around services are categorised as clinical supports, which are fully funded by the government. You cannot ask a participant to contribute to this cost.

For more information about participant contributions.

Transitioned HCP care recipients

Participants who transitioned from the HCP Program will have access to the AT-HM scheme without the need for further assessment.  

You will need to use a participant’s Commonwealth portion of unspent HCP funds before they can access AT-HM funding. You must claim these funds in this order: 

1. provider-held portion (may apply to HCP care recipients from before 1 September 2021)
2. government-held portion by Services Australia. 

If a participant has insufficient unspent HCP funds, they can be allocated an AT-HM funding tier through either: 

• the AT-HM scheme data collection process (through their provider by February 2026)
• a Support Plan Review.

Resources

Find out more

Read:  

• Chapter 13 (AT-HM scheme) of the Support at Home program manual
• AT-HM scheme guidelines.