AT A GLANCE
What it funds: Assistive technology and home modifications
- Funding: Separate from the participant’s ongoing Support at Home budget
- Tiers: Low / Medium / High for both assistive technology and home modifications
- Prescription: Required for prescribed items, by a suitably qualified health professional
- Who assesses: Often an OT, but the department also names physiotherapists as an example
AT A GLANCE
What is the AT-HM scheme?
The AT-HM scheme gives Support at Home participants separate funding for assistive technology and home modifications. The aim is to let people live safely at home without using up the quarterly budget they need for everyday care.
Assistive technology means equipment that supports daily living and independence.
Home modifications are changes to the home, such as rails, ramps or bathroom changes.
AT-HM Scheme funding
The three funding tiers
Funding is grouped into tiers by cost. The same three tiers apply to assistive technology and home modifications.
Low
Assistive technology → Under $500
Home modifications → Under $500
Medium
Assistive technology → Up to $2,000
Home modifications → Up to $2,000
High
Assistive technology → Up to $15,000
Home modifications → Up to $15,000
Assistive technology above $15,000 is handled through a separate request, which requires a quote and a valid prescription.
A participant’s approved tier is set as part of their aged care assessment and shown in their Notice of Decision and support plan. If the tier isn’t sufficient for a participant’s needs, the provider can request a Support Plan Review and submit evidence of need.
PRESCRIPTION
Who can prescribe?
The department sorts AT-HM items into three groups by how much professional input they need:
- Low risk: simple, low-cost daily living products that don’t need a prescription or customisation
- Under advice: items that are generally low risk but would benefit from professional advice
- Prescribed: more complex or costly products and equipment, often adapted to an individual’s needs
Prescribed items must be prescribed by a suitably qualified health professional. The department gives occupational therapists and physiotherapists as examples. A high-tier request also needs a quote and a valid prescription from a suitably qualified health professional.
These three groups are about the type of item. They are separate from the Low, Medium and High funding tiers, which are about cost.
Prescription and wraparound services (the supports that help a participant use an item safely and effectively) are classed as clinical supports and are fully funded by the government. The department says you cannot ask a participant to contribute to this cost. Providers are responsible for arranging them. Participant contributions, based on an income and assets assessment, apply to the AT-HM items themselves.
Does every home modification need an OT?
Yes. Under the Support at Home Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) scheme, all home modifications must be prescribed by an occupational therapist working within their professional scope of practice. That includes everything from grab rails and ramps to bathroom changes.
The prescription shows that the modification meets a need in your support plan, and that it will help you function at home or manage age-related decline. It helps make sure the change is safe, suitable and right for you.
Who pays for the OT prescription?
Prescriptions are usually funded through the AT-HM scheme, as part of your home modification funding. If the prescription is part of other OT treatment you’re already receiving, it may come from your Support at Home quarterly budget instead. You won’t be asked to contribute to the cost of the assessment or prescription, as these are classed as clinical care.
If your AT-HM funding isn’t enough to cover what’s been prescribed, you’ll need a support plan review or reassessment. Your provider can help arrange this.
THE PROCESS
How the process works for providers
Based on guidance from the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, the main steps are:
1. Assessment
The participant’s tier is set during their aged care assessment.
2. Funding allocated
AT-HM funds are separate from ongoing Support at Home funding, so they may be available before ongoing funds start.
3. Provider selected
The participant chooses a provider, and the provider notifies Services Australia before the funds can be accessed.
4. Prescription, where needed
A suitably qualified health professional assesses and prescribes prescribed items.
5. Supply or installation
The provider arranges procurement of the required items and materials while coordinating installation.
6. Keep records
Keep the invoice and at least one proof of delivery, such as a signed delivery slip or photos of the installed item.
7. Repairs and maintenance
These come from the AT-HM allocation. If funds have expired, the participant can be referred for a Support Plan Review.
HIGHER LEVELS OF SUPPORT
Assistive technology over $15,000
Participants can access assistive technology funding above $15,000 where it’s needed to meet their assessed needs. To request it, the provider:
- Completes the request form
- Gathers supporting evidence, including a quote and a valid prescription from a suitably qualified health professional
- Lodges the form and evidence on the participant’s record through the My Aged Care Service and Support Portal
- Phones the My Aged Care service provider and assessor helpline to validate the submission.
The department aims to process requests within 14 calendar days, but asking for more evidence can delay a decision, so make sure the prescription and quote are complete before you lodge.
Home modifications have no equivalent pathway. Their high tier is capped at $15,000, although the funding period can be extended from 12 to 24 months if evidence of progress is given to Services Australia.
How we can help: our OT reports can provide the prescription evidence for these requests. A prescription used as evidence can be funded through the AT-HM scheme, the participant’s Support at Home quarterly budget, or privately.
SPECIAL CASES
Special cases to be aware of
Participants who moved from the Home Care Packages Program must use their unspent HCP funds first.
Participants on the Restorative Care or End-of-Life pathways have limited access, depending on tier.
Assistive technology items for independence carry a participant contribution based on an income and assets assessment.
The department says a National Assistive Technology Loans scheme is being explored with states and territories.
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SUPPORT AT HOME
How Home Access Group helps
We provide occupational therapy home assessments and recommendations for Support at Home and NDIS providers.
We do
- Receive your referral and book the visit with the participant
- Collect the participant’s consent before the visit
- Send an AHPRA-registered occupational therapist to assess the participant and their home
- Provide a report that serves as the OT prescription required for home modifications under the AT-HM scheme, linking each recommendation to the participant’s support plan needs
- Have a registered OT review every report before it’s released
Optional extras, on request
- Post-installation check: a follow-up visit to confirm the modifications were installed as prescribed, are safe for the participant to use, and that they are using them correctly. This is a clinical check, not a building or compliance inspection.
- Scope of works and builder liaison: detailed functional specifications for your trades, quote review and site meetings. Your builder remains responsible for construction, structural fixing and compliance with building standards.
We don’t
- Coordinate, carry out or contract building and installation work
- Give legal, funding or eligibility advice. For those, see the official guidance or contact Services Australia.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Assistive technology and home modifications. Read more about the AT-HM scheme
It depends on the item. The department states prescriptions are fully government-funded, and that assistive technology items for independence can carry a participant contribution based on an income and assets assessment.
Not automatically. Prescribed items require a suitably qualified prescriber.
The department gives a target processing time of 14 calendar days for the requests it describes.
The provider arranges installations and modifications while Home Access Group assesses and recommends. We do not coordinate installation unless requested on a case by case basis.
Just visit the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website.
Need an OT Home Assessment for a participant?
Send us the participant’s details and goals and we’ll take it from there.