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Helping a parent, partner or loved one stay safe at home can feel overwhelming.
You may be looking at walkers, shower chairs, hospital beds, ramps or bathroom changes and wondering what help is available. You may also be trying to understand what can be funded, what needs an occupational therapist, and whether it makes more sense to hire or buy equipment.
The Assistive Technology and Home Modifications scheme, also called the AT-HM scheme, is part of the Australian Government’s Support at Home program.
It is designed to help eligible older Australians access the equipment and home changes they need to live more safely and independently at home.
Quick answer
The AT-HM scheme gives eligible Support at Home participants separate funding for assistive technology and home modifications.
This means approved older Australians do not need to save money from their regular quarterly care budget to access eligible equipment or home changes.
Funding is based on assessed need. Some items may be simple daily living aids. Others may need advice, prescription, delivery, setup or installation.
What is the AT-HM scheme?
The AT-HM scheme helps older Australians access products, equipment and home modifications that support safer living at home.
It sits under the Support at Home program, which replaced the former Home Care Packages Program and Short-Term Restorative Care Programme from 1 November 2025.
The goal is simple: to help older people stay at home and in their community for longer, with the right support in place.
This may include equipment for mobility, toileting, showering, sleeping, transfers or daily tasks. It may also include home changes such as grab rails, ramps or bathroom modifications.
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Why this matters for families and carers
For many families, equipment decisions happen during a stressful time.
A loved one may be coming home from hospital. A parent may be having more falls. A carer may be finding transfers harder. Or an occupational therapist may have recommended changes to make the home safer.
The AT-HM scheme can make this process easier by separating equipment and home modification funding from regular in-home care funding.
That can help families act sooner, rather than waiting until a small safety issue becomes a bigger problem.
What counts as assistive technology?
Assistive technology means products, equipment or devices that help a person do everyday tasks more safely and independently.
This can include simple daily living aids, as well as more complex rehab equipment.
Common equipment examples
Daily living support
- bedroom aids
- bed raising equipment
- medication aids
- transfer equipment
- daily living aids
Not every item is large or expensive. Sometimes a simple product, such as a shower chair or over toilet aid, can make daily routines safer and less tiring.
What counts as a home modification?
Home modifications are changes made to the home to improve safety, access or independence.
- grab rails
- internal or external handrails
- ramps
- stair lifts
- bathroom changes
- shower hob reductions
- wider doorways or passages for wheelchair access
The scheme is not for general renovations or cosmetic upgrades.
The purpose must be linked to the older person’s assessed needs. In simple terms, the change needs to help the person live more safely or independently at home.
How does someone access the AT-HM scheme?
Access starts through My Aged Care.
The older person, or their representative, applies for an assessment. The assessment looks at the person’s needs, their home environment and what support may help them stay safe at home.
If the person is approved, they receive a decision that outlines the services and funding they can access.
From there, they can work with their provider, occupational therapist or other health professional to understand what equipment or home modifications may be suitable.
AT-HM funding tiers
The AT-HM scheme uses funding tiers based on assessed need.
| Support type | Low tier | Medium tier | High tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assistive technology | up to $500 | up to $2,000 | up to $15,000 or more in some cases |
| Home modifications | up to $500 | up to $2,000 | up to $15,000 |
A person may receive different tiers for equipment and home modifications.
For example, someone may need a lower level of funding for assistive technology, but a higher level of funding for bathroom changes or access modifications.
Do people still need to pay anything?
In some cases, yes.
Some assistive technology, equipment, home modification items and related services may have a participant contribution.
However, some clinical supports, such as prescription or assessment services, may be treated differently.
This is why it is important to check with the person’s provider, assessor or allied health professional before making decisions.
Does everything need an occupational therapist?
Not every item needs a formal prescription.
Some lower-risk daily living aids may be available with general advice. More complex items may need professional advice or prescription.
Home modifications are different.
Home modifications generally need an occupational therapist to assess the person, understand their home environment and prescribe the right solution.
This is especially important for rails, ramps, stair lifts, bathroom changes and other structural changes.
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Can equipment be hired instead of purchased?
Yes, equipment hire may be suitable in some situations.
Hire can be helpful when the need is short term, when someone is recovering after surgery, or when equipment is needed while waiting for a specialised item.
This is common with rehab equipment hire, hospital beds, wheelchairs and some mobility aids.
For many families, hiring first can reduce pressure. It gives the person time to see what works safely at home before committing to a purchase.
What can the funding help with?
Depending on the situation, funding may help with more than the product itself.
- assessment
- prescription
- equipment
- delivery
- setup
- training
- installation
- follow-up
- repairs or maintenance
The right setup matters.
A product is only helpful if it suits the person, the home and the way care is provided each day.
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Delivery, setup and correct fit can make equipment easier and safer to use at home.
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Small bathroom aids and home safety changes can help make daily routines more manageable.
What is not covered?
The AT-HM scheme does not cover everything.
Items may not be covered if they are already funded elsewhere, not linked to the person’s assessed needs, or not included in the AT-HM list.
General household appliances, cosmetic upgrades and normal home maintenance are not the purpose of the scheme.
For home modifications, work generally needs to be linked to the person’s support needs and prescribed by an occupational therapist.
Things families often overlook
Timing
Funding is usually available for a set period. It is important to understand the timeframe and act early, especially if quotes, prescriptions or installation are needed.
Homeowner approval
If the person does not own the home, extra approval may be needed. This can apply to rental homes, retirement villages, public housing or shared living arrangements.
The home itself
Some homes are harder to modify than others. In some cases, assistive technology may be a better option than changing the property.
The person’s daily routine
The best equipment is not always the biggest or most expensive item. It is the item that fits the person’s body, home, routine and support needs.
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Where Statewide Home Health Care can support
At Statewide Home Health Care, we help older Australians, carers, support workers and allied health professionals explore practical rehab equipment options for home.
Our team can help with product guidance across mobility aids, wheelchairs, toileting aids, bathroom aids, shower chairs, bedroom aids, hospital beds and rehab equipment hire.
We can also help families understand common equipment options before or after speaking with their occupational therapist, aged care provider or assessor.
Government approvals and funding decisions sit within the aged care system. But practical equipment guidance can still make the process easier.
Knowing what options exist, what can be hired, what can be purchased and what may need professional advice can help families feel more confident.
You can also visit our Bentleigh showroom to view a range of independent living and rehab equipment in person.
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Need help finding the right rehab equipment for home?
Speak with the Statewide Home Health Care team about practical equipment options for safer living at home.
We can help with hire and purchase options across mobility, toileting, bathroom and bedroom rehab equipment.
The AT-HM scheme recognises something many families and health professionals already know.
The right equipment or home modification can make a real difference to safety, comfort and independence at home.
For one person, that may be a shower chair or over toilet aid. For another, it may be a hospital bed, wheelchair, ramp or bathroom modification.
The best results usually happen when families, providers and allied health professionals work together early.
If you are helping a loved one navigate My Aged Care, home safety concerns or equipment recommendations, Statewide Home Health Care can help with practical product guidance, hire options and purchase options for safer living at home.
Frequently asked questions
Can I hire equipment instead of buying it?
Yes, hire may be suitable when equipment is only needed for a short time, such as after surgery, hospital discharge or while waiting for a specialised item. Statewide Home Health Care can help with rehab equipment hire options.
Do home modifications need an occupational therapist?
In most cases, yes. Home modifications such as rails, ramps and bathroom changes usually need an occupational therapist to assess the person and prescribe the right solution.
Can I visit the showroom before choosing equipment?
Yes, you can visit our Bentleigh showroom to view a range of independent living and rehab equipment. Our team can help you understand common options before or after you speak with your provider or therapist.
Does the AT-HM scheme pay for all equipment?
No, not every item is covered. Funding depends on the person’s assessed needs, the item type and the rules of the scheme. Always check with My Aged Care, your provider or allied health professional.
What products can help make home safer?
Common options include mobility aids, shower chairs, over toilet aids, bedroom aids, hospital beds, wheelchairs and ramps. The right product depends on the person, their home and their support needs.
Disclaimer: This article is general information only. It is based on publicly available Australian Government information about the Support at Home Assistive Technology and Home Modifications scheme. It does not replace personalised medical, clinical, aged care or funding advice. Please speak with My Aged Care, your aged care provider, GP, occupational therapist or allied health professional for advice based on your circumstances.
