Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) scheme
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Practical Support for Safer, More Independent Living
Assistive technology and home modifications can make a meaningful difference to how safely and confidently you manage everyday life. From helpful equipment to practical changes around your property, these supports are designed to make daily activities easier while helping you maintain your independence.
Available through the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) Scheme under the Support at Home program, eligible support can include mobility equipment such as walking frames and wheelchairs, as well as modifications such as handrails and other safety improvements.
By adapting your environment and providing equipment suited to your individual needs, the AT-HM Scheme can help you move around more safely, complete everyday tasks with greater confidence and continue living independently for longer.
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What Support Is Available?
The AT-HM Scheme provides access to assistive technology, equipment and home modifications that can make everyday activities safer and easier. The support you receive will depend on your individual needs, abilities and living environment.
Support may include:
- Mobility aids, such as walking frames, wheelchairs and other equipment to help you move around safely
- Bathroom safety equipment, including shower chairs, grab rails and other aids for personal care
- Daily living equipment to assist with tasks such as dressing, eating, preparing meals and moving around your home
- Home modifications, such as installing handrails, ramps or other accessibility and safety improvements
- Specialised equipment recommended by an appropriate health professional to support your independence
The aim is to provide practical solutions that help reduce safety risks, make daily tasks more manageable and support you to remain independent in your own home.
Funding information
The Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) Scheme provides funding across two key support categories, helping you access equipment and changes that make everyday living safer and more manageable.
1. Assistive Technology
Assistive technology covers products and equipment that can help you complete daily activities with greater safety, confidence and independence.
Depending on your assessed needs, this may include:
- Mobility equipment, including wheelchairs, walking frames and walking sticks
- Toileting aids, such as commodes
- Bathroom equipment, including shower chairs and bath boards
- Communication aids to support everyday interaction
- Adaptive kitchen and dining equipment to make preparing and eating meals easier
2. Home Modifications
Home modifications involve practical changes to your living environment that improve accessibility and safety. These changes can reduce everyday risks and make it easier for you to continue living independently at home.
Examples may include:
- Lever-style taps and easy-to-use door handles
- Grab rails for bathrooms, toilets and shower areas
- Handrails for indoor and outdoor spaces
- Ramps and stair lifts to improve access
- Non-slip flooring and other safety surfaces
The official AT-HM List provides details of the approved equipment, products and home modifications that can be funded through the scheme.
How Much Funding Is Available?
Your AT-HM funding will depend on your assessed needs and the level of support required. Funding is generally provided across three tiers:
| Funding Tier | Funding Available | Access Period |
|---|---|---|
| Low | Up to $500 | 12 months |
| Medium | Up to $2,000 | 12 months |
| High | Up to $15,000* | 12 months |
In some circumstances, additional funding or more time to use your allocation may be available:
- Higher assistive technology funding: Funding above the standard amount may be approved where appropriate supporting evidence is provided.
- Complex home modifications: If approved work has already started, the funding period may be extended for another 12 months, allowing up to 24 months in total.
- Progressive conditions: Eligible people with certain progressive conditions may be given up to 24 months to use their assistive technology funding, with extensions of up to 48 months where required.
- Specialised support needs: Additional funding or longer access periods may be considered for specific needs, including assistance dogs or specialised equipment.
Your care provider can help you understand the funding available to you and coordinate the equipment or modifications included in your approved support plan.
Accessing AT-HM Funding
To receive funding through the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) Scheme, you’ll need to complete an aged care assessment to identify your needs and determine the type of support that may be suitable for you.
If you’re approved, the outcome will be outlined in your Notice of Decision letter and support plan. Based on your assessment, you may be allocated funding for assistive technology, home modifications, or a combination of both.
Your AT-HM funding is provided separately from your standard Support at Home care budget, so it won’t reduce the amount available for your other approved care services.
Once your AT-HM funding becomes active, you can begin arranging your approved equipment, products or home modifications without needing to wait for your regular Support at Home funding to commence.
Choosing the Right Equipment and Home Modifications
If you’re eligible for the AT-HM Scheme, your aged care assessment will help determine the types of assistive technology or home modifications that could best support your safety, mobility and independence.
Your Support at Home provider will then work with you to understand your daily activities, living environment and personal needs. Based on this, they can recommend appropriate equipment, assistive products or practical changes to your home.
For more complex or specialised needs, your provider can arrange an assessment with a suitably qualified health professional. They can assess your individual circumstances and recommend solutions that are appropriate for your abilities, home environment and everyday routine.
This approach helps ensure the support you receive is practical, suitable and matched to how you live.
Getting the Right Assistive Technology
Your Support at Home provider can help you access assistive technology that’s appropriate for your individual needs, making sure the equipment you receive is suitable for your safety, comfort and everyday activities.
Depending on the type of equipment required, your provider can:
- Arrange standard assistive products and equipment where a clinical prescription isn’t required
- Organise an assessment with a qualified health professional, such as an occupational therapist, if specialist advice or a prescription is needed
- Work with your health professional to arrange the ordering, supply and delivery of prescribed equipment
This process helps ensure your assistive technology is properly matched to your needs and supports greater confidence and independence at home.
Making Your Home Safer and More Accessible
Your Support at Home provider can coordinate approved home modifications that make your living environment safer, easier to access and better suited to your everyday needs.
As part of the process, your provider can:
- Organise an occupational therapy assessment to identify appropriate modifications based on your mobility, safety and home environment
- Discuss the recommended changes with you, explaining what’s proposed and confirming your agreement before work begins
- Coordinate the required work by arranging suitably qualified and licensed tradespeople to complete the modifications
This ensures any changes to your home are carefully planned and completed to support your safety, accessibility and ongoing independence.
Buying, Renting or Borrowing Assistive Equipment
Depending on your individual circumstances, assistive technology may be purchased, rented or provided on loan. The most suitable option will depend on the type of equipment you need and how long you’re expected to use it.
For temporary or changing needs, renting or borrowing equipment may offer a more practical solution than purchasing it outright.
Your Support at Home provider can discuss the available options with you and help arrange the most appropriate equipment and supply option for your needs.