If there is a need for modifications around your home – you or the person you care for may be eligible for government subsidies. Depending on the type of program and your income there may be a fee. Subsidies are often delivered through not-for-profit organisations or private service providers.
An assessment will usually be required to view the home situation, where access is needed, areas of risk and the Assessor (health professional) will provide their recommendation of any modifications required.
People aged 65 and over
People aged 65 and over or their carers can apply for home modifications via the My Aged Care website.
- Commonwealth Home Support Programme – Provides entry-level home support, including subsidised home modifications.
- Home Care Packages – Provides home modifications as part of a package of services.
Children and people under the age of 65
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) may fund the design and construction of home modifications as part of a specific, tailored package known as a ‘participant plan’. The NDIS is currently being rolled out across Australia. The NDIS website is a useful resource. You can identify if it is available where you live. You can also check eligibility, for yourself or the person you care for.
Veterans
The Rehabilitation Appliances Program can assist with home modifications for eligible veterans.
State Funded Home Modifications
Each State Government offers assistance with home modifications for eligible people and carers:
- ACT: Community Based Services
- NSW: Home Modification and Maintenance Services
- Queensland: Home Modifications
- South Australia: Equipment Program
- Tasmania: Fusion (Australia) Home Modifications and Maintenance
- Victoria: Aids & Equipment Program
- Western Australia: Community Aids and Equipment Program
Services
- Home Modification Information Clearinghouse this includes an Arranging Home Modifications fact sheet and a service directory.
- My Aged Care: 1800 200 422
- Home Modifications Australia (MOD.A): a directory of occupational therapists, consultants and service providers
- Help At Home
- National Disability Insurance Scheme
Other Sources of Information that may be Helpful:
ACT Health – (Community based services)
Government of Western Australia – Disability Services Commission – (Community Aids and Equipment Program )
Victoria Human Services – (Home Renovation Service)
Department of Health – (Commonwealth Home Support Programme)
My Aged Care – (Home care packages)
National Disability Insurance Scheme – (Reasonable and necessary supports)
Department of Veteran’s Affairs – (Rehabilitation Appliances Program)
Home Modification Information Clearinghouse – (What is home modification)
Home Modification Information Clearinghouse – (Services directory)
State-wide equipment program – (Aids & equipment)
Northern Territory Department of Health – (Disability equipment)
Queensland Government – (Community and home care services – Home modifications)
My Aged Care – (Home maintenance and modifications)
South Australian Government – (Equipment and home modifications)
Additional Resources:
- Living at home | Vision Australia. Blindness and low vision services – visionaustralia.org – Living at home independently requires some important considerations and organisation around your home. Different strategies work for different people, but some of the areas that …
- Community Aids and Equipment Program (CAEP) – disability.wa.gov.au The Community Aids and Equipment Program (CAEP) provides an equitable, accessible and consistent state-wide scheme for the provision of equipment and home modifications to benefit …
- Living at home as you get older – Better Health Channel – betterhealth.vic.gov.au As you get older, living at home can be made easier by using home care services, setting a routine and keeping socially active.
Article Source: https://www.carergateway.gov.au/home-modifications