The AT-HM Scheme: Equipment and Home Modifications in Australia

Government Funding to Help You Stay Safe at Home

If you are an older Australian living in Australia and your home needs changes to keep you safe, the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) Scheme provides upfront government funding for equipment and structural changes.

This is separate from your regular Support at Home budget. The AT-HM Scheme has its own funding pool with three tiers. Whether you need a grab rail in the bathroom or a full wheelchair ramp, this scheme is built to cover it.

The Three Funding Tiers

The AT-HM Scheme is structured into three tiers based on the complexity and cost of what you need. Each tier has a different assessment process and funding cap.

Tier 1: Low-Cost Items (Up to $500)

Tier 1 covers basic, low-cost assistive technology and minor modifications. These are everyday items that solve common safety and accessibility problems around the home.

Examples of what Tier 1 covers:

• Grab rails for the bathroom, toilet, and hallways.
• Non-slip mats and strips for wet areas.
• Shower stools and bath boards.
• Raised toilet seats.
• Walking stick and frame accessories.
• Key safes for emergency access.
• Tap turners and easy-grip aids.
• Bed rails and transfer aids.

Tier 1 items can usually be approved quickly, often without a detailed occupational therapy assessment. Your care provider can help you identify what you need and arrange supply and installation.

Tier 2: Medium-Cost Items and Modifications ($501 to $15,000)

Tier 2 covers more substantial equipment and home modifications. These typically require a professional assessment and sometimes a quote from a tradesperson.

Examples of what Tier 2 covers:

• Wheelchair ramps (portable and permanent).
• Bathroom modifications, such as converting a bath to a walk-in shower or widening a doorway.
• Stairlifts and platform lifts.
• Manual and powered wheelchairs.
• Electric adjustable beds and pressure care mattresses.
• Ceiling hoists and mobile hoists.
• Door widening to accommodate mobility equipment.

Tier 2 requests require an assessment by an occupational therapist (OT) or other qualified assessor. The assessor visits your Australia home, evaluates your needs, and prepares a recommendation with supporting evidence. This assessment is also funded through the scheme.

Tier 3: Complex and High-Cost Modifications (Above $15,000)

Tier 3 is for major structural modifications. These are significant building works that require detailed planning, building approvals, and specialist tradespeople.

Examples of what Tier 3 covers:

• Full bathroom renovations for accessibility.
• Extensions or reconfiguration of living spaces.
• Installation of lifts between floors.
• Major structural changes to allow ground-floor living.

Tier 3 applications require comprehensive OT assessment, builder quotes, and sometimes engineering reports. Approval can take longer, but the funding is available for works that are genuinely needed to keep you safe at home.

How the Assessment Process Works

The AT-HM Scheme follows a clear pathway from initial need to funded solution. Here is how it works.

1. Contact My Aged Care. If you are not already receiving services, call 1800 200 422. If you are already in the Support at Home program, your care manager can initiate the AT-HM process directly.

2. Needs identification. Your care team identifies you would benefit from equipment or a modification. This might come up during a care plan review, after a fall, or following a hospital discharge.

3. OT assessment. For Tier 2 and Tier 3, an occupational therapist visits your Australia home to assess your functional abilities and environment, then prepares a report with recommendations.

4. Quotes and planning. For building work, quotes are obtained from qualified tradespeople. For equipment, the OT specifies the product and supplier.

5. Approval and funding. The assessment and quotes are submitted for approval. Tier 1 items are approved quickly. Tier 2 and 3 go through a review process.

6. Supply and installation. Once approved, equipment is ordered or building work is scheduled. The OT may return for a follow-up to confirm everything works as intended.

What Makes the AT-HM Scheme Different

The AT-HM Scheme is a separate funding stream from your regular Support at Home budget. A $5,000 bathroom modification does not come out of your weekly service budget. It comes from the AT-HM pool, so you do not have to choose between a grab rail and your regular personal care visits.

The scheme also provides upfront funding. You do not pay out of pocket and wait for reimbursement. The government funds the provider or supplier directly.

Eligibility

To access the AT-HM Scheme, you need to be aged 65 or over (50 or over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people), assessed through My Aged Care, and have an identified need for equipment or modifications. If you are already receiving Support at Home services, your care manager can start the AT-HM process.

Common Questions About the AT-HM Scheme

Do I own the equipment after it is funded? For most items, yes. Equipment funded under the AT-HM Scheme is yours to keep. For very high-cost items, there may be arrangements for return or recycling if the equipment is no longer needed.

Can I get modifications done to a rental property? In some cases, yes, but you will need the landlord’s written consent. The OT assessment will consider your housing situation and any tenancy implications.

What if I need something urgently, like after a hospital discharge? Urgent needs can sometimes be fast-tracked, particularly for Tier 1 items. Your provider can arrange interim solutions while a Tier 2 or 3 application is being processed.

Can I combine AT-HM funding with other programs? If you also have NDIS funding, the general rule is that aged care funding covers age-related needs and NDIS covers disability-related needs. Your care manager and support coordinator can work together to avoid duplication.

Does MD Home Care supply the equipment or do the building work? No. MD Home Care is a connection platform that connects you with providers in Australia who specialise in assistive technology supply, OT assessment, and home modification services.

Connect with AT-HM Providers in Australia

Getting the right equipment or modification can be the difference between staying safely at home and facing a move you do not want. Through MD Home Care, you can find experienced assistive technology and home modification providers in Australia who understand the AT-HM Scheme and can guide you through the process from assessment to installation.

Find a Provider Near You For a confidential discussion about assistive technology and home modification options in Australia.