How to Get Bathroom Safety and Mobility Equipment Funded Through Support at Home

The Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) scheme under Support at Home funds eligible equipment and home modifications separately from quarterly service budgets, so assistive technology and home changes don’t require “saving up” from your ongoing services allocation. Funding is provided via tiered caps (Low/Medium/High) for both assistive technology and home modifications, as set out in the Support at Home AT-HM funding tiers and access periods. Access typically involves being approved during an aged care assessment, having the approval recorded in your Notice of Decision and support plan, and working with your Support at Home provider to source items from the official AT-HM List. For major home modifications, providers may need to obtain multiple quotes to demonstrate value for money, in line with the AT-HM scheme guidelines.

AT-HM Eligibility and Coverage

AT-HM scheme eligibility applies to Support at Home participants, with approval assessed as part of the aged care assessment process.

Covered equipment categories: Mobility aids including walkers, wheelchairs, walking sticks, and lifting/transfer equipment; bathroom safety aids including shower chairs and bath boards; toileting supports such as commodes and bedpans; communication supports; and products for preparing and eating food. (Examples are outlined on the AT-HM scheme page and the definitive item set is the AT-HM List.)

Home modification coverage: Examples include lever tap sets or lever door handles, grab rails, internal and external handrails, ramps and stair lifts, and non-slip materials and mats. See the examples on the AT-HM scheme page and the definitive AT-HM List.

Equipment NOT covered: Items excluded from AT-HM include “general household expenses” (e.g., refrigerators and microwaves) and other “out of scope” items, plus items already funded elsewhere. See Excluded items and the exclusions section of the AT-HM List.

Step-by-Step AT-HM Application Process

Step 1 - Professional assessment: During your aged care assessment, you may be approved for an AT-HM tier and this will be documented in your Notice of Decision and support plan. Your provider can arrange an assessment from a suitably qualified health professional (such as an occupational therapist) where an item requires a prescription, and will arrange an OT assessment for home modifications. See “How do I know which assistive technology and home modifications I need?” on the AT-HM scheme page and the AT-HM scheme guidelines on prescriptions.

Step 2 - Equipment selection and quotes: Your provider sources and supplies items that don’t require a prescription and works with health professionals to source prescribed items. See the provider responsibilities on the AT-HM scheme page. For major home modifications, providers may need to source multiple quotes (often 3) and quotes must detail the scope of works and cost components (including parts and labour), with permit information where relevant, per the AT-HM scheme guidelines.

Step 3 - Provider setup and funding access: AT-HM funds are allocated through AT-HM priority systems (separate to the Support at Home Priority System), and participants can access AT-HM funding once allocated, after choosing a provider and the provider notifies Services Australia. See “Accessing the scheme” on the Department of Health AT-HM scheme page.

Step 4 - Supply, installation, and documentation: Home modification items listed on the AT-HM list can be purchased from a supplier, another registered provider, or a third-party service provider, and the associated services (installation, trade services, planning, council fees) are considered part of the home modification cost. See “Purchase/delivery of home modifications” in the AT-HM scheme guidelines.

Common Funded Equipment Packages

Bathroom safety bundle: Shower chair or bath board + grab rails + non-slip materials/mats + toileting supports (e.g., suitable toilet seat options), where these are assessed as needed and included on the AT-HM List (with examples like shower chairs, bath boards, and grab rails described on the AT-HM scheme page).

Mobility starter kit: Walking frame/wheelchair/walking stick (as appropriate) and other mobility supports, consistent with assessed needs and the AT-HM List.

Pressure care supports: Products for tissue integrity (including cushions and other tissue integrity products), as listed under “Managing body functions” in the AT-HM List.

Documentation Checklist for Faster Approvals

Comprehensive documentation helps your assessor and provider match equipment and modifications to clear, assessed needs.

Functional limitation documentation: Specific descriptions of activities you cannot perform safely or independently (e.g., unsafe shower transfers; difficulty standing from the toilet).

Fall and incident history: Dates, locations, and circumstances of falls/near-falls that demonstrate safety risks.

Current equipment inadequacy: Clear explanation of why existing items are not safe/effective.

Professional recommendation letter/prescription: For complex assistive technology, a written recommendation (“prescription”) may be required from a qualified health professional; all home modifications require a prescription from an occupational therapist, per the AT-HM scheme guidelines.

Co-Contribution Requirements

Some participants may contribute toward AT-HM items in line with Support at Home contribution rules.

Contribution category: Assistive technology items, home modification items, and associated services attract a participant contribution rate equivalent to the independence category, according to the AT-HM scheme guidelines.

Prescription and wraparound services: Where required, prescription and wraparound services fall under clinical supports with no participant contribution, per the AT-HM scheme guidelines and the Department’s overview of Support at Home participant contributions.

Provider Selection Considerations

AT-HM equipment and modifications are delivered via Support at Home providers and, for some works, third parties arranged by the provider.

Provider registration: Providers delivering AT-HM must be registered in Category 2 – Assistive Technology and Home Modifications, per the AT-HM scheme guidelines.

Installation and safety: Home modifications must meet applicable state and local building standards and regulations, and use appropriately qualified tradespersons, per “Home modifications building standards” in the AT-HM scheme guidelines.

Quote Template Components

Effective quotes and invoices should make it easy to understand exactly what is being supplied and why.

For major home modifications: Quotes should include sufficient detail on scope of work and cost components (e.g., parts and labour), time estimates for complex jobs, and whether permits are included where required, per the AT-HM scheme guidelines.

For multiple items: Where more than one item is purchased, the final invoice must be itemised, per “Managing funds” requirements in the AT-HM scheme guidelines.

Evidence-Based Application Strategy

Strategic preparation improves the likelihood that recommended equipment and modifications are clearly connected to assessed needs and align with scheme rules.

Plan early so there’s time for assessment/prescription where needed, quote collection for major modifications, and provider coordination. Where appropriate, consider whether an item should be bought, rented, or loaned—AT can be bought, rented, or loaned under the scheme, as described on the AT-HM scheme page.