Understanding Assistive Technology & Home Modifications (AT-HM): A Complete Guide for Older Australians

The right equipment or changes around the home can make a big difference to how safely and independently an older person can manage everyday life.

Under the Support at Home program, the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) Scheme provides separate funding for eligible equipment and home modifications based on a person's assessed needs.

This funding is separate from the regular Support at Home quarterly budget. This means eligible participants do not have to set aside their ongoing care budget to pay for approved assistive technology or home modifications.

From walking aids and shower equipment to grab rails, ramps and more complex home modifications, AT-HM is designed to help older people continue living safely and independently at home.

This guide explains how AT-HM works in 2026, including current funding amounts, what can be funded, assessment requirements, contributions and how to access support.

The Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) scheme is a funding pathway within the Australian Government's Support at Home program.

It provides eligible Support at Home participants with separate funding for equipment, products and home modifications they need to live safely and independently at home.

Unlike the former Home Care Packages Program, participants generally do not need to save money from their ongoing Support at Home quarterly budget to purchase approved assistive technology or make approved home modifications.

AT-HM funding is provided separately according to the person's assessed needs.

You can be approved for:

• an Assistive Technology funding tier
• a Home Modifications funding tier
• or both.

Your AT-HM approval will be recorded in your Notice of Decision and support plan.

What Is Assistive Technology?

Assistive technology includes equipment and products that help you do things more easily or complete activities you can no longer safely or independently manage.

Depending on your assessed needs and the current AT-HM List, examples can include:

• walking sticks
• walking frames
• wheelchairs
• shower chairs
• non-slip bath or shower products
• commodes and other toileting supports
• personal alarm systems
• other approved mobility, self-care, communication or daily living equipment.

Not every product that might make life easier is automatically eligible.

The equipment must be included on the Government's AT-HM List, address an assessed need documented in your support plan and support your functioning or help manage disability or age-related functional decline.

Some products are conditional inclusions and have additional eligibility or evidence requirements.

What Are Home Modifications?

Home modifications are physical changes to your home that can make the environment safer, easier to access or more suitable for your functional needs.

Depending on your assessed needs and eligibility, examples may include:

• internal or external handrails
• ramps
• stair lifts
• bathroom modifications or redesign
• widening doorways or passages for wheelchair access
• other eligible accessibility and safety modifications.

Home modification funding can also cover eligible associated services required to complete the work, such as installation, trade services, building approvals, plan drafting, council fees and certain removal costs.



All home modifications funded under the AT-HM scheme must be prescribed by an occupational therapist working within their professional scope of practice.

Who Can Access AT-HM Funding?

AT-HM funding is available to older Australians who have been assessed and approved as needing assistive technology, home modifications, or both to help them remain safe and independent at home.

Eligibility is based on your assessed needs, so AT-HM funding is not automatically provided to everyone receiving Support at Home. If approved, your AT-HM needs and funding will be included in your Notice of Decision and support plan.

AT-HM may also be available through the Restorative Care Pathway and, for eligible assistive technology, the End-of-Life Pathway. People who transitioned from a Home Care

Package may also access AT-HM, although rules apply to the use of any unspent Commonwealth Home Care Package funds.

How Much AT-HM Funding Is Available in 2026?

The AT-HM Scheme covers many types of equipment designed to help people manage everyday activities.

Mobility and Transfer Equipment

Depending on assessed needs, this may include:

• Walking sticks
• Walking frames
• Manual or powered wheelchairs
• Mobility scooters
• Transfer boards
• Hoists and transfer equipment

Showering, Bathing and Toileting Equipment

Examples can include:

• Shower chairs and stools
• Bath boards
• Appropriate non-slip products
• Commodes
• Raised toilet equipment
• Other approved self-care aids

Communication and Cognitive Supports

Assistive technology can also help people who experience difficulties with communication, memory or cognition.

Depending on the AT-HM List and assessed needs, this may include:

• Communication aids
• Memory support products
• Reminder devices
• Visual or auditory alerting equipment

Personal Safety Equipment

Personal safety supports can include eligible:

• Personal alarms
• Alerting devices
• Fall-related safety equipment
• Other technology that helps a person call for assistance

An item being available under AT-HM does not mean it will automatically be funded for everyone. It must address a need identified through your assessment and meet the requirements of the AT-HM List.



Home Modifications Available Through AT-HM

Home modifications can help reduce hazards and make different areas of the home easier to access.

Depending on your assessed needs, modifications may include:

Bathroom Modifications

Examples may include:

• Grab rails
• Handrails
• Changes to improve shower access
• Accessible bathroom modifications
• Changes to improve toilet access

Access and Entry Modifications

These may include:

• Access ramps
• Threshold modifications
• Handrails
• Changes to doorways or entrances

Mobility Around the Home

Depending on individual needs, modifications may include:

• Stair lifts
• Widened doorways or passages
• Internal handrails
• Changes that improve wheelchair or mobility-aid access

Home modifications must be directly connected to an assessed functional need. More complex work may also involve professional assessment, planning, quotes and appropriately qualified tradespeople.



The AT-HM List

The Assistive Technology and Home Modifications List, or AT-HM List, sets out which products, equipment and modifications can be accessed through the scheme.

It also helps determine the level of professional input required for different types of assistive technology.

Items can be classified as:

Low Risk

These are generally straightforward products that can be used safely without a prescription.



Under Advice

These products may require professional advice to help ensure the right item is selected and used appropriately.



Prescribed

These are products that require assessment and prescription by an appropriately qualified health professional.

The AT-HM List uses the AS/NZS ISO 9999:2023 classification system for assistive products.

The level of professional involvement therefore depends on the individual item. It is not accurate to say that every piece of assistive technology requires an occupational therapy assessment.

Costs Covered by AT-HM

AT-HM funding is not limited to the purchase price of equipment.

Depending on your approved support, funding may also cover eligible costs associated with safely providing and using the equipment or modification.

These can include:

• Equipment
• Home modification work
• Professional prescriptions
• Delivery
• Installation
• Set-up
• Training
• Trade services
• Relevant building or planning costs
• Follow-up and other eligible wraparound services

These additional services are important because some assistive technology cannot simply be purchased and used without appropriate assessment, fitting, installation or instruction.



What Is Not Covered Under AT-HM?

AT-HM is intended for eligible assistive technology and home modifications rather than ordinary household expenses.

Items generally excluded include:

• General household products and everyday living expenses
• Discretionary purchases
• Products more appropriately funded through another program
• Equipment intended primarily for workplace use
• Equipment intended for use on mass public transport
• Products or modifications outside the AT-HM List

For example, ordinary household furniture or appliances are not automatically considered assistive technology simply because they may make life more convenient.

Always check the current AT-HM List and your approved support plan before purchasing equipment with the expectation that it will be covered.



Participant Contributions Under AT-HM

You may need to contribute towards the cost of assistive technology or home modifications.

AT-HM items and applicable associated services are generally treated under the Independence contribution category.

The percentage you contribute depends on your individual Support at Home contribution arrangements.

There is an important distinction for prescriptions and eligible wraparound services. These are treated as Clinical Supports, which have a 0% participant contribution.

This means you do not make a contribution towards eligible clinical prescription and wraparound costs.

For a more detailed explanation of contribution rates, see our Support at Home Pricing 2026: Fees, Contributions and Funding Explained guide.

AT-HM Funding Period

AT-HM funding is generally allocated for 12 months.

Unused AT-HM funding does not simply continue accumulating indefinitely.

There are exceptions for some circumstances.

For example, high-tier home modification funding may be extended for an additional 12 months where evidence shows that the work is progressing.

Different funding periods can also apply to eligible people with certain progressive conditions, where assistive technology needs may change more quickly.

If your needs change or your existing equipment is no longer appropriate, speak with your care partner or provider about whether a review or reassessment is required.



Accessing the AT-HM Scheme

Your aged care assessment looks at your needs, goals, everyday abilities and any risks you experience at home.

During the assessment, explain any difficulties you have with:

• Walking
• Balance and falls
• Getting in and out of bed or chairs
• Showering
• Toileting
• Using stairs
• Entering or leaving your home
• Completing household activities
• Communicating
• Calling for assistance
• Using your current equipment



2. Discuss Your Assistive Technology and Home Modification Needs

Try to describe the problem you are experiencing, rather than simply requesting a particular product.

For example, instead of only saying:

"I want a personal alarm."

Explain the reason you may need one:

"I live alone and have fallen before. I am worried that if I fall away from my phone, I won't be able to call for help."

This helps the assessor understand your functional and safety needs.

3. Receive Your Assessment Outcome

If your assessment identifies a need for assistive technology or home modifications, your approval will be recorded in your Notice of Decision and support plan.

You may be approved for AT, HM or both.



4. Work With Your Support at Home Provider

Once the appropriate funding is available, your provider works with you to coordinate the approved support.

Depending on what you need, this can involve:

• Arranging professional assessments
• Obtaining prescriptions
• Getting quotes
• Sourcing equipment
• Organising suppliers
• Coordinating delivery
• Arranging installation or trades
• Providing training and follow-up



This means you generally work with your Support at Home provider rather than independently purchasing equipment and expecting reimbursement afterwards.

The Home Care Packages Program transitioned to Support at Home on 1 November 2025.



If you transitioned to Support at Home with eligible unspent Commonwealth Home Care Package funds, those funds can be used for eligible assistive technology and home modifications.

Where you also receive a new AT-HM allocation, eligible unspent Commonwealth HCP funds are generally used first for AT-HM purchases before the separate AT-HM allocation is used.

If your circumstances or needs have changed since your previous assessment, speak with your provider about whether a support plan review or reassessment is appropriate.

Staying Safe and Independent at Home

Understanding AT-HM funding, assessments, prescriptions and the Government's eligibility requirements can feel complicated, particularly when you are trying to organise support for yourself or someone you care for.

As a My Aged Care provider, FOCUS Connect can help you understand your Support at Home services and coordinate supports that reflect your assessed needs.

Depending on your circumstances and approvals, this can include coordinating appropriate professional input, prescriptions, suppliers, and approved equipment or modifications.

If you are unsure whether a particular piece of assistive technology or home modification may be suitable, speak with your care coordinator before purchasing it. Eligibility depends on your assessed needs, support plan and the current Australian Government AT-HM List.

If you or someone you care for needs help understanding Support at Home or coordinating approved supports, contact us to discuss how we can help you navigate your aged care services.

Information in this article is general and current as at September 2026. AT-HM eligibility, funding and individual circumstances vary. Your aged care assessment, support plan and applicable program requirements determine the supports available to you.