Super Rehab — Site Header
(02) 8970 4632 info@superrehab.com.au Mobile allied health · Sydney & Perth
Aged Care Services

Assistive Technology &
Home Modifications Scheme.

The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing has released the AT-HM Guidelines, outlining how aged care providers should deliver AT-HM under the Support at Home program and engage allied health professionals to prescribe, justify, and document recommended AT and HM.

AT-HM Guidelines: The most recent guidelines can be found on the Department of Health website →
Definitions

Assistive Technology and Home Modifications

AT
Assistive Technology

AT refers to equipment, devices, or products that help older Australians live safely and independently at home — including mobility aids, bathroom safety equipment, personal care supports, and daily living aids that reduce risks, improve function, and support participation in everyday activities.

The goal of AT is to support function, promote independence, reduce carer burden, and enable participants to continue living safely and comfortably at home.

AT is funded through the AT-HM Scheme with 3 Funding Tiers: Low, Medium and High.

HM
Home Modifications

HM refer to physical changes made to a participant’s home to improve safety, accessibility, and independence. These must be clinically justified by an Occupational Therapist. Examples include installing grab rails, ramps, widening doorways, modifying bathrooms, or adjusting flooring to reduce trip hazards.

The goal of home modifications is to reduce risks, support mobility and personal care, and enable participants to remain living safely in their own homes for longer.

HM is funded through the AT-HM Scheme with 3 Funding Tiers: Low, Medium and High.

Assistance Dogs: Under the Support at Home program, assistance dogs may be funded where clinically justified and aligned with the participant’s assessed care needs. Funding is subject to assessment, clinical recommendation, and approval by the Department based on the participant’s goals and individual circumstances.
Funding Structure

AT-HM Funding Tiers

Funding is based on assessed need and is granted in fixed periods. Each tier provides a set dollar range for approved equipment, services, and support. Below are the current tier structures for both AT and HM.

Assistive Technology (AT) Funding Tiers
Tier Funding Range Funding Period Examples
Low $500 12 months Walking sticks, pill boxes, dressing aids, non-slip mats
Medium $2,000 12 months Shower chairs, raised toilet seats, transfer belts, bed rails
High $15,000 12 months Manual or powered wheelchairs, pressure mattresses, complex seating
Home Modifications (HM) Funding Tiers
Tier Funding Range Funding Period Examples
Low $500 12 months Grab rails, handrails, door lever handles, non-slip strips
Medium $2,000 12 months Ramp installation, minor bathroom modifications, external handrails
High $15,000 12 months Whole bathroom modifications, widening doorways, structural ramp works
Funding period note: AT-HM funding is granted in fixed 12-month periods (or 24 months for progressive conditions). Funding does not accrue and must be spent within the funding period. Providers have an additional 60 days after the period ends to finalise claims.
Eligible Items

What is fundable under the AT-HM Scheme?

1
Managing body functions — dosette boxes, products to enhance cognitive function, pressure relief cushions, and upper/lower limb orthoses
2
Self-care products — toileting and showering equipment, small aids for dressing, washable absorbent products, urinals and bedpans
3
Mobility equipment — walking sticks, crutches, walking frames, seat walkers, manual or powered wheelchairs and their accessories
4
Domestic life products — adaptive cutlery, chairs and stools
5
Communication and information management — visual and tactile devices, communication software, and note-taking devices
6
Home Modifications — ranging from grab rails, handrails, and ramps to whole bathroom modifications. Must be clinically justified and aimed at improving function, safety, or independence
Access Pathway

How to access the AT-HM Scheme

1
The older person undergoes an aged care needs assessment through My Aged Care, during which AT and/or HM needs are identified and recorded in their support plan
2
They receive a Notice of Decision letter confirming eligibility and are placed into a priority system
3
Based on assessed needs, they are assigned to one or more funding tiers which determine the type and level of AT-HM support available
4
A qualified clinician — such as an Occupational Therapist — completes a home or functional assessment and prescription, justifying the recommended AT or HM
5
The provider submits a start notification in the Aged Care Provider portal. Funding begins once the notification is accepted
Support Plan Review (SPR): An SPR can be requested when changes to AT-HM funding tiers are needed — for example, to move to a different tier, add AT or HM support to an existing classification, or enable repairs for previously funded items. SPRs can be initiated via My Aged Care or through the Services Australia Aged Care Specialist Officer.
Sourcing AT: Providers can assist participants to source AT through outright purchase, private rental, or the National Assistive Technology Loans Scheme (where available). Participants approved for low-cost/low-risk items can access these from the AT-HM list and have costs reimbursed by their provider.
Clinical Services

Prescription and wraparound services

Prescription services are written recommendations from a qualified health professional (OT, Physiotherapist, or Speech Pathologist) within their scope of practice, recommending AT or HM to address an older person’s functional decline or disability. Prescriptions are typically based on a home or functional assessment, though telehealth may be appropriate in some cases.

Wraparound services are additional supports funded through the AT-HM scheme to ensure AT and HM are safely and effectively implemented. These may include:

  • Delivery and set-up of equipment
  • Training and education on safe use of AT or HM
  • Follow-up to assess whether AT or HM is meeting needs
  • Repairs and maintenance of eligible AT items
  • Administrative and coordination costs
  • Retrieval of loaned or rented items when no longer needed
For Providers

Quick checklist — is it fundable?

When considering whether AT or HM may be fundable under the AT-HM Scheme, check all of the following:

Has it been prescribed and justified by a qualified professional — such as an Occupational Therapist, Speech Pathologist, or Physiotherapist?
Does it address a functional limitation or safety risk?
Is it necessary and reasonable for daily living (not comfort or personal preference)?
Is there supporting evidence — such as a trial, risk assessment, or supplier quote?
Has the participant agreed to the proposed AT-HM solution?
If the answer is “No” to any of these, it is unlikely to be fundable under the Support at Home AT-HM Scheme.
Our Commitment

How Super Rehab aligns with the AT-HM Guidelines

01
Structured fee schedule

Our fee schedule clearly separates face-to-face (Direct) and non-face-to-face (Indirect) activities, including prescription and wraparound services under the AT-HM Scheme.

02
Robust clinical governance

We meet the expectations outlined in the AT-HM Scheme Guidelines, safeguarding the safety and wellbeing of Support at Home participants while upholding the trust and accountability expected by referrers.

03
Efficient work procedures

Our procedures are aligned with new compliance requirements, including standardised report templates, quote checklists, and risk assessment tools.

Our Clinical Team

Disciplines delivering AT-HM services

AT-HM prescription and wraparound services are delivered by qualified allied health clinicians across a range of disciplines, working collaboratively to ensure participants receive safe, evidence-based recommendations.

Ready to refer a participant? We welcome referrals from Support at Home providers, CHSP providers, care partners, families, and participants seeking AT-HM services at home.