Under the Support at Home Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) scheme, the answer depends on what’s being funded. Every home modification must be prescribed by an occupational therapist (OT). Assistive technology needs a prescription only for some items, and it can come from a range of health professionals.
Here’s what providers need to know, and where an OT home assessment fits. For the full picture, see our guide to the AT-HM scheme.
Home modifications: always an OT
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing’s AT-HM scheme guidelines are clear: “All home modifications must be prescribed by an occupational therapist working within their professional scope of practice.” “All home modifications must be prescribed by an occupational therapist working within their professional scope of practice.”
The department’s AT-HM list marks every home modification as “Prescribed (required)”. That covers everything from grab rails and handrails to ramps, stairlifts, showers, toilets, taps and floor coverings. Before any modification is funded, an OT needs to assess the participant and their home and prescribe the change.
Assistive technology: it depends on the item
The AT-HM list sorts assistive technology into three groups:
- Low risk: simple, low-cost daily living products that don’t need a prescription.
- Under advice: generally low-risk items that would benefit from professional advice.
- Prescribed: more complex or costly products, often adapted to the person’s needs. These must be prescribed.
These groups describe the type of item, and are separate from the Low, Medium and High funding tiers, which are about cost. Prescriptions for assistive technology can come from any suitably qualified health professional, such as a nurse or allied health professional.
Even where a prescription isn’t required, an “under advice” item, or one that must suit a person’s body and home, often benefits from an OT’s input.
What a prescription must show
A prescription helps make sure an item or modification is appropriate for the participant. It should show that the item:
- addresses needs identified in the participant’s support plan, and
- improves the participant’s functioning, or helps manage their disability or age-related functional decline.
Health professionals can provide prescriptions in any format.
Wondering what that looks like in practice? See What should an OT home assessment report include?
Who pays for the prescription?
Prescriptions are usually funded through the AT-HM scheme. Where a prescription is part of other treatment, it’s funded from the Support at Home ongoing services budget for that health professional. Prescriptions and wraparound services are classed as clinical supports, so providers can’t ask participants to contribute to their cost.
Wraparound services are the supports that help a participant use an item safely and effectively, and the provider is responsible for arranging them. The AT-HM items themselves are classed as independence services, and the participant’s contribution is based on an income and assets assessment.
Funding above $15,000
Assistive technology funding above $15,000 is available where needed to meet a participant’s assessed needs (see the department’s AT-HM guidance for providers). The provider lodges a request with a quote and a valid prescription as evidence. Home modifications are capped at $15,000, although the high tier funding period can be extended from 12 to 24 months with evidence of progress.
Where Home Access Group fits
We provide OT home assessments and recommendations for Support at Home and NDIS providers. For home modifications, our report serves as the OT prescription. Each recommendation is linked to the participant’s support plan needs and explains how it will improve their functioning or help manage decline.
Once you approve the work, you arrange it with your own trades. On request, we can also provide detailed specifications, attend site meetings with your builder, or do a post-installation check to confirm the modifications were installed as prescribed and are being used safely.
How to prepare a referral
To avoid delays, have the following ready:
- The participant’s support plan needs and goals, and the reason for the referral
- Contact details for the participant or their representative
- Safe access arrangements, and any risks for the visiting OT
- Any existing assessments, or equipment already in place
- The participant’s approved AT-HM tier, if known
- Whether the referral is urgent, for example after hospital discharge or a fall
Frequently asked questions
Does every home modification need an OT assessment?
Yes. All home modifications under the AT-HM scheme must be prescribed by an occupational therapist working within their scope of practice.
Who can prescribe assistive technology?
Where a prescription is required, any suitably qualified health professional, such as a nurse or allied health professional.
Can a physiotherapist prescribe instead?
For some assistive technology, yes, if it’s within their scope of practice. For home modifications, no. They must be prescribed by an OT.
How long does an assessment take?
We confirm referrals within 1 business day, contact the participant within 2, and deliver the report within 5 business days of the visit.
Need an OT assessment for a participant? Refer a participant
Sources
- AT-HM scheme guidelines, Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
- Assistive Technology and Home Modifications list, updated 17 July 2026
- AT-HM scheme: guidance for providers
Last reviewed: 25 October 2026
Related articles
A safer home starts with understanding the person
Every home is different. Every person is different. That is why the right approach starts with the individual rather than a list of products. At Home Access Group, we help coordinate OT home assessments that consider the person’s needs, goals, functional abilities and home environment.
The mission is simple: Help people stay safe, independent and at home for longer. If you or someone you care for is finding everyday activities around the home more difficult, an OT home assessment may be a useful place to start.
Your home should work for you – not the other way around. Reach out and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
Still looking to learn more about OT home assessments and home modifications? Try our quick links below:
Information about Support at Home and the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications scheme can change. Providers should refer to current Australian Government guidance when making funding and service decisions.
