TL;DR
From 1 November 2025, Home Care Packages merge into the new Support at Home program.
If you or someone you care for needs equipment or home modifications, the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) scheme pays for it separately from your regular care budget.
Knowing how to navigate it—and what traps to avoid—can mean the difference between waiting months or getting what you need in weeks.
The big change
Many older Australians have spent years trying to get something as simple as a grab rail, wheelchair, or recliner chair approved through My Aged Care. The new Support at Home program aims to change that by pulling equipment and home modifications out of people’s general care budgets and creating a new, faster stream of funding called Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM).
The idea is simple: Instead of deciding between a shower chair and a cleaning visit, people can access a dedicated allowance for items that keep them safe, mobile, and independent.
It’s one of the most practical changes in the new aged care system – but also one of the most confusing.
What the scheme actually covers
AT-HM covers two broad categories:
| Category | Examples | Funding Tiers |
|---|---|---|
| Assistive Technology (AT) | Mobility aids, lift chairs, scooters, beds, communication tablets, alarms, adaptive cutlery | Low: up to $500 Medium: up to $2,000 High: $15,000+ (by prescription) |
| Home Modifications (HM) | Grab rails, ramps, accessible showers, door widening, bathroom reconfiguration | Low: up to $500 Medium: up to $2,000 High: up to $15,000 lifetime cap |
People in very remote areas (Modified Monash 6–7) get a 50% supplement. You can apply for both AT and HM at the same time if they work together – say, a ramp and a mobility scooter.
What’s not covered
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Cosmetic upgrades (new tiles or décor that aren’t safety-related)
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General renovations or extensions
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Duplicate funding for items already provided through NDIS, state programs, or hospital discharge services
Who pays what
Under the new system, everyone contributes according to their income category, but the government covers the majority of costs.
Independence category co-contribution
Assistive technology and home modifications fall under the independence category.
Full pensioners generally pay nothing.
Part-pensioners and self-funded retirees may pay a small daily contribution, usually capped at around $12 per day, with an overall lifetime limit of about $78,000 (indexed).
The actual percentage rate for each category will appear in the October 2025 Schedule of Fees and Charges – but for most people, their contribution will be small or zero.
OT and allied health costs are separate
If you need an occupational therapist (OT) or other allied-health professional to prescribe or recommend equipment, their fees are fully government funded under the clinical supports category. That means their time does not come out of your $500, $2,000, or $15,000 AT-HM allowance.
Example: If an OT visits to prescribe rails and a lift chair, the OT’s fee is paid separately by the government. Your AT-HM funding covers only the equipment, installation, and any approved admin fees.
Who pays for what
- Government: equipment, installation, OT assessments, prescriptions, allied health, coordination fees (within caps)
- You: income-based co-contribution (often $0)
- Hardship option: available via Services Australia
- Full pensioners: generally pay nothing
Admin and coordination fee caps
| Type | Maximum allowed |
|---|---|
| Admin fee (Assistive Technology) | 10% or up to $500 |
| Coordination fee (Home Modifications) | 15% or up to $1,500 |
Ask your provider to list these fees in writing in your service agreement and monthly statement.
Both the admin fee (for AT) and the coordination fee (for Home Mods) are charged to your AT-HM budget, not your regular Support at Home (care) budget.
Each AT-HM approval comes with its own funding “envelope.”
When the delegate approves your AT-HM tier (e.g. $2,000 medium or $15,000 high), that total covers:
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the equipment or modification costs, plus
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any admin or coordination fees, plus
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any freight, installation, or minor accessories needed to complete the job.
Those service fees don’t reduce your daily support hours — they come out of the same AT-HM tier amount.
So if you have $2,000 approved for a lift chair and your provider charges a 10 % admin fee, you’ll receive $1,800 worth of actual equipment and $200 goes toward administration.
Hardship help
If your contribution would cause financial hardship, you can apply for a Hardship Supplement through Services Australia. They’ll review your income and essential expenses and can temporarily lower or remove your contribution. You’ll need to reapply every 6–12 months if your situation continues.
How to apply (and who does what)
Navigating this part correctly saves the most time.
| Step | Who acts | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Register or review | You / carer | Call My Aged Care (1800 200 422) or log in online. Say you need Assistive Technology or Home Modifications support. |
| 2. Assessment | My Aged Care assessor | They determine your Support Plan and funding tier (low, medium, or high). |
| 3. Choose provider | You | Must be a Category 2 registered provider. |
| 4. Prescription & quotes | OT / provider | For medium and high items, an OT must write a clinical prescription and attach quotes. |
| 5. Approval | Government delegate | Reviews the submission and issues a Notice of Decision. |
| 6. Purchase / installation | Provider | Must happen within 12 months of approval. |
| 7. Follow-up | Provider + you | You confirm receipt and satisfaction; provider keeps proof of delivery. |
What “by prescription” means
When the guidelines say “high tier – by prescription,” it means the item must be clinically recommended in writing by an OT or other qualified allied-health professional. They’ll describe the item, why it’s needed, and how it will improve your independence and safety. You can’t self-select high-cost items; the prescription provides clinical evidence for the delegate’s approval.
Who is the Delegate?
The delegate is the authorised government decision-maker – usually an officer at Services Australia or the Department of Health and Aged Care – who approves your funding. You won’t deal with them directly, but every approval or rejection letter you receive (“Notice of Decision”) comes from a delegate acting under the Aged Care Act.
Common sub-limits on individual items
| Item | Typical cap | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tablet or smart device | $1,000 | Must support communication, cognition, or telehealth — not entertainment. |
| Personal alarm | $900 | Includes SIM and setup. |
| Lift chair | $2,000–$2,500 | OT prescription required. |
| Electric bed | $3,000 | OT prescription required. |
| Power wheelchair / scooter | $15,000+ | May exceed with clinical justification. |
| Minor kitchen or daily aids | $50–$300 each | Under-advice items. |
| Bathroom safety modifications | $15,000 (lifetime) | Includes rails, floor changes, shower reconfigurations. |
These limits are set in the AT-HM List, available on the Department of Health website. If a device exceeds its cap, your OT can apply for an exception through a Support Plan Review (SPR).
If you already have a Home Care Package
If you currently receive a Home Care Package (HCP) – even a Level 4 – you will automatically transition to the new Support at Home program on 1 November 2025. Your provider will stay the same unless you choose to change.
What stays the same
- Your funding level and services continue.
- You are covered by the “no worse off” rule.
- Any unspent funds in your current package carry over.
What changes
- You’ll start with a transitional AT-HM tier ($0) because your unspent package funds are used first for any equipment or modifications.
- Once those are spent, your provider can request AT-HM funding through a Support Plan Review.
Do you need a new assessment?
Not unless your needs have changed. Your existing approval automatically converts. But if you now need new equipment (for example, after a hospital stay or fall), it’s smart to request a Support Plan Review (SPR) so your provider can apply for an AT-HM tier.
For Level 4 Package Holders
- List your current equipment and what’s worn out or missing.
- Ask your provider: “Have you requested AT-HM funding under Support at Home?”
- Make sure any unspent package funds are earmarked for you before transition.
- If you need something new, ask for a Support Plan Review.
- Send hospital discharge summaries or OT reports to your provider – they’re vital evidence for approval.
Tips and traps
| Trap | How to avoid it |
|---|---|
| Funding expires before work starts | Book builders early; if delayed, ask for a 12-month extension. |
| No OT prescription | Always confirm your OT has submitted one — required for medium/high items. |
| Landlord or retirement-village refusal | Get written consent before work begins. |
| Duplicate funding | Tell your assessor about any NDIS or state equipment you already receive. |
| Confusion over ownership | Check your agreement: purchased = yours; loaned or rented = return later. |
| Overcharged admin fees | Ask for itemised monthly statements. |
| Delay after hospital discharge | Ensure your discharge summary goes directly to your provider and My Aged Care. |
Fast-track your approval after hospital discharge
One of the biggest causes of delay is missing medical documentation. When you or someone you care for leaves hospital after a fall, surgery, or illness, that discharge summary can make or break how quickly you receive help.
Here’s how to speed it up:
- Ask the hospital’s discharge planner or allied-health team to send the discharge summary to your provider and GP immediately.
- Keep a copy yourself and upload it to your My Aged Care account.
- Tell your provider you need a Support Plan Review for AT-HM.
- Follow up until you receive a Notice of Decision letter from My Aged Care.
That summary often contains the exact wording (“requires grab rails,” “requires mobility aid”) that the delegate uses to justify funding approval.
What if my provider isn’t helping?
- Call My Aged Care (1800 200 422) and say you want a Support Plan Review for Assistive Technology.
- My Aged Care will contact your provider to lodge the paperwork.
- You’ll get a confirmation letter once the delegate has acted.
- If you’re stuck or feel ignored, call Aged Care Advocacy (1800 700 600) – it’s free and confidential.
Ownership and responsibility
This is one of the biggest “fine print” issues in the new guidelines.
| Situation | Who owns the item | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Purchased with AT-HM funds | You | It’s part of your care plan. You can keep it, sell it, or transfer it if you move. |
| Loaned or rented through provider | Provider or national loan scheme | You must return it when it’s no longer needed. |
| Installed home modifications | You (if you own the property) | If renting, get written landlord consent. Public-housing tenants may be redirected to state programs. |
Maintenance and repair costs can also be funded, but your provider needs to include them in your care plan or request a Support Plan Review.
When to ask for a Support Plan Review (SPR)
Request one if:
- You’ve been in hospital or your mobility has changed.
- You need new or upgraded equipment.
- Your existing item has broken or worn out.
- You’ve moved house.
- You’ve used up your package funds and now need formal AT-HM funding.
You can call My Aged Care yourself to start it, or ask your provider to do it on your behalf. The review usually takes 2–6 weeks depending on complexity.
Where to get help
- My Aged Care: 1800 200 422 / myagedcare.gov.au
- Aged Care Advocacy Line (OPAN): 1800 700 600
- Services Australia (Hardship): 132 300
- Translating and Interpreting Service: 131 450
- Elder Help Line (for safety or neglect concerns): 1800 353 374
Change is hard but it can be worthwhile
This new system has potential – if people know how to use it. The AT-HM scheme is meant to remove the trade-offs that forced older Australians to choose between personal care and equipment they desperately needed. But like most reforms, it only works if the paperwork moves with you.
The most powerful thing you can do is keep your paperwork organised:
- Keep your OT reports, hospital summaries, and photos of modifications.
- Check your provider’s statements.
- Ask for a Support Plan Review anytime your situation changes.
If you’re unsure, ask. The system now exists to say yes faster – but it still needs you to push it along.
