Support at Home Assistive Technology Funding Explained
Share
Support at Home Assistive Technology Funding Explained
Assistive technology can make everyday tasks safer and easier. It may help you move around your home, use the bathroom, prepare meals or manage personal care.
Under Australia’s Support at Home program, some assistive technology and home modifications may be funded as part of your aged care support. However, funding is not automatic. The type of equipment, your needs and the assessment process all matter.
This guide explains the basics in plain language. It is general information, not personal financial, medical or aged care advice.
What is assistive technology?
Assistive technology is equipment that helps a person complete daily activities. It can support safety, independence, comfort or access at home.
Examples may include:
- Shower chairs and other bathroom equipment
- Toilet frames and support rails
- Walking aids
- Pressure care equipment
- Beds and bedding designed for specific support needs
- Personal alert systems
- Equipment that helps with dressing, eating or personal hygiene
- Communication aids
- Small household changes that make daily tasks easier
The right option depends on your circumstances. A product that works well for one person may not be suitable for another.
Assistive technology is different from ordinary household goods. A standard chair or a general bathroom accessory may not meet the program’s requirements. An assessor or care provider can help determine whether an item is appropriate.
How Support at Home relates to assistive technology
Support at Home is Australia’s aged care program for people receiving ongoing support in their own homes. It replaced Home Care Packages and the Short-Term Restorative Care Programme from 1 November 2025.
Assistive technology and home modifications are supported through the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) scheme. This scheme is intended to help eligible participants access equipment or changes that support their assessed needs at home.
The AT-HM scheme is separate from the ordinary services in a Support at Home budget. This distinction is important because equipment may not need to be paid for in exactly the same way as regular support hours.
The rules can depend on your assessment, the item required and the pathway used to arrange it. Your aged care provider or My Aged Care can explain how the current arrangements apply to you.
Who can access funding?
You generally need to be assessed as eligible for government-funded aged care. Your needs are considered through the aged care assessment process.
An assessment may look at:
- Your ability to complete daily activities
- Your mobility and balance
- How safely you can use parts of your home
- Whether a health or age-related change has affected your independence
- The support you already receive
- The equipment or modifications that may help
- Whether informal support from family or friends is available
Approval is based on assessed need. A person’s age alone does not guarantee funding for a particular item.
If you are new to aged care, start by contacting My Aged Care. You can call 1800 200 422 or use the My Aged Care website to learn about an assessment. If you already receive Support at Home, speak with your provider about the AT-HM process.
What is the assessment process?
The assessment process may vary depending on your situation and the equipment required. In general, it includes the following steps.
1. Discuss your daily challenges
Think about the tasks that have become difficult or unsafe. These could include:
- Standing up from the toilet
- Getting in or out of the shower
- Reaching for toilet paper
- Moving between rooms
- Using stairs
- Preparing food
- Getting dressed
- Managing personal care
Be specific. Explain what happens, when it happens and what assistance you currently need.
2. Complete an aged care assessment
An assessor considers your needs and identifies the types of support that may be suitable. This may include assistive technology or a home modification.
Depending on the situation, an occupational therapist or another qualified professional may need to assess the equipment or the home environment. This is especially important for items involving transfers, weight-bearing, falls risk or structural changes.
3. Receive recommendations
The recommendation may describe the equipment, its purpose and how it should be supplied or fitted. It may also include trials, installation or follow-up support.
You should ask questions if the recommendation is unclear. You can ask why the item is needed, how it should be used and who is responsible for servicing or replacing it.
4. Arrange the item
Your provider or another approved pathway may arrange the purchase, hire, delivery or installation. Do not assume that buying an item yourself will lead to reimbursement.
Ask for approval before purchasing. Keep any quotes, invoices and written information connected with the item.
What costs might you need to pay?
The cost of assistive technology depends on the item and the funding pathway. Some approved equipment may be funded through the AT-HM scheme. Other items may need to be paid for from your Support at Home budget or by you.
You may also need to consider costs such as:
- Delivery
- Installation
- Professional assessment
- Training or fitting
- Repairs and maintenance
- Replacement parts
- Cleaning or consumables
- Removal of an item or modification
Your provider should explain any fees before you agree. Ask whether the amount is a one-off cost or an ongoing charge.
A product being described as a “mobility aid” or “aged care product” does not mean it is automatically funded. Funding depends on the approved purpose and your assessed needs.
Low-cost and higher-cost equipment
Some equipment is simple to supply and may be suitable for a low-cost assistive technology pathway. Other items require professional assessment, fitting or installation.
For example, a toilet paper aid may help a person who has difficulty reaching or twisting during toileting. A toilet surround frame may provide a larger support structure around the toilet. A bathroom rail may assist with hand support, but its suitability depends on the surface, the user and the way it will be used.
These examples do not confirm funding eligibility. They show why the assessment should focus on the task and the person’s needs, rather than on a product name alone.
Bathroom equipment and safety considerations
The bathroom is a common place to consider assistive technology. Wet surfaces, transfers and limited space can make everyday tasks more difficult.
Before choosing equipment, consider:
- The person’s height, weight and grip strength
- Whether they can stand and sit safely
- The bathroom layout and available space
- The condition and type of wall or surface
- Whether the item needs professional installation
- How the equipment will be cleaned
- Whether a carer also needs room to assist
A suction grab bar, for example, should only be used on a suitable smooth, non-porous surface and according to the manufacturer’s instructions. It should not be treated as a substitute for a permanently installed grab rail where a person needs to bear significant weight. Check the attachment regularly and stop using it if it moves or becomes damaged.
For some people, a more stable toilet surround frame may be worth discussing with an assessor. A frame with armrests can provide support when sitting down or standing up, but it must be positioned correctly and used within its stated limits.
Examples of bathroom aids
The following products may be useful to discuss with your aged care provider or assessor. Their suitability and funding depend on individual assessment and program approval.
Bathroom suction grab bars
The Premium Bathroom Suction Grab Bars 12 Inch are designed to provide temporary hand support on suitable smooth, non-porous surfaces. They do not require drilling and can be repositioned.
They may be relevant for someone seeking portable support in a bathroom. They are not suitable for every surface or every level of support. Follow the product instructions and seek professional advice if the user may place substantial body weight on the bar.
Toilet paper aid
The Ergonomic Toilet Paper Aid is designed to extend reach during toileting. It may be useful for a person who has difficulty bending, twisting or reaching.
It is a personal care aid, not a replacement for assessment where a person has significant balance or transfer difficulties. Ask about cleaning and hygiene requirements before use.
Toilet surround support rails
The Toilet Surround Support Rails with Basket provide a frame around the toilet with armrests. The listed product information states a 120 kg weight capacity and gives its dimensions.
Check the dimensions against your bathroom before purchase. The frame must not obstruct safe movement or interfere with other equipment. An assessor can help decide whether this type of support is appropriate.
Questions to ask your provider
Before accepting equipment or agreeing to a purchase, ask:
- Has this item been approved under my aged care funding pathway?
- Which budget or scheme will pay for it?
- Will I need to contribute to the cost?
- Is an assessment or home visit required?
- Who will arrange delivery and installation?
- Who is responsible for repairs and maintenance?
- What happens if the item does not suit me?
- Can I trial the equipment first?
- What happens if my needs change?
- Will the item remain mine if I change providers?
Write down the answers. If someone helps you manage your care, ask them to join the discussion.
What if your needs change?
Your equipment may need to be reviewed if your mobility, strength, balance or home circumstances change. Contact your provider if the item no longer feels safe, is difficult to use or is not meeting its intended purpose.
Do not modify equipment without checking first. Changes may affect its safety, warranty or suitability.
You can also ask for help if you disagree with an assessment or decision. Start by speaking with your aged care provider or My Aged Care. Ask what review or complaints process is available.
Planning your next steps
A simple plan can make the process easier:
- List the daily tasks that are difficult or unsafe.
- Note what support you currently use.
- Contact My Aged Care or your Support at Home provider.
- Ask whether an AT-HM assessment is suitable.
- Request written information about approval and costs.
- Measure the area if a bathroom or household item is being considered.
- Arrange the item only after confirming the funding pathway.
- Review the equipment after you have used it for a short time.
Key points to remember
Support at Home assistive technology funding is based on assessed need. It is not a general voucher for any product.
The AT-HM scheme may help eligible participants access suitable equipment or home modifications. The approval process, costs and responsibilities can vary.
A product should be chosen for the task it needs to support. Professional advice is particularly important for bathroom equipment, transfers, weight-bearing and home modifications.
If you are unsure where to begin, contact My Aged Care or speak with your existing provider. They can explain the next assessment step and help you understand how assistive technology may fit into your support plan.