Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) Scheme Explained
For many older Australians, a single practical change can mean the difference between living independently and leaving home altogether. A sturdy rail beside the bath, a ramp at the front door, or an alarm worn around the wrist: these aren't luxury extras. They're the kind of targeted, functional supports that let people stay where they want to be.
The good news is that the Support at Home program has a dedicated funding stream built around exactly these needs. The Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) Scheme gives eligible participants access to separate, upfront funding for the equipment and home changes that make independent living possible, without touching the quarterly budget they rely on for day-to-day care.
Here's what you need to know.
What the AT-HM Scheme is and why it matters
Before the Support at Home program launched on 1 November 2025, people receiving home care funding often faced an uncomfortable trade-off. If they needed a piece of equipment or a home modification, the cost usually had to come out of the same pool of money covering their personal care, domestic help, and other services. Something had to give.
The AT-HM Scheme was created to fix that. It sits alongside your regular Support at Home quarterly budget as a completely separate funding source, one that exists specifically to cover assistive technology and home modifications. What you spend on a grab rail has no impact on what's available for a home care worker. Both pools of funding operate independently.
Eligibility and funding amounts are determined through your aged care assessment. If approved, your funding tier and the type of support you can access (assistive technology, home modifications, or both) will be set out in your Notice of Decision and support plan.
What qualifies as assistive technology?
Assistive technology covers a wide range of everyday items designed to make tasks easier, safer, or more manageable. Think of anything that helps you get through your day with greater confidence and less risk. Common examples include:
- Walking frames, rollators, and mobility aids
- Shower chairs, bath seats, and commode chairs
- Raised toilet seats and toilet safety frames
- Bed rails, transfer aids, and repositioning equipment
- Height-adjustable beds
- Personal alarms and wearable falls detection devices
- Automated medication dispensers
- Devices that support hearing, vision, or communication
- Smart home technology that assists with daily routines
What qualifies as a home modification?
Home modifications focus on making your living environment safer and more accessible. These are the kind of structural or physical changes that can help reduce fall risks and make it easier to move around your home. Examples include:
- Bathroom grab rails and handrails along corridors or at stairs
- Ramps in place of steps at entry and exit points
- Doorway widening to accommodate a wheelchair or walker
- Non-slip surface treatments in wet areas
- Upgraded lighting in areas where visibility is poor
- Threshold ramps and step reductions
- Stair lifts and ceiling hoists where needed
The Australian Government publishes an AT-HM List that sets out all the specific products, equipment, and modifications available through the scheme. Each item is categorised by how it can be accessed: whether it's a straightforward off-the-shelf product, something that benefits from professional advice before purchase, or a more complex item that requires a clinical prescription.
The three funding tiers
Rather than a one-size-fits-all amount, the AT-HM Scheme allocates funding through three tiers. Your tier is set based on what your assessment identifies as necessary, not on a package level or a fixed formula.
Low Tier: Up to $500 per year. Simple, low-cost products with no prescription or formal clinical assessment required.
Medium Tier: Up to $2,000 per year. Items where professional advice helps ensure the right choice is made and used safely.
High Tier: Up to $15,000. Complex equipment or significant home modifications requiring a clinical assessment and, for modifications, a formal prescription from a suitably qualified health professional
A few important details worth knowing:
The $15,000 high-tier cap for home modifications is a per-lifetime limit. For assistive technology, the standard high-tier ceiling is also $15,000, but where your assessed needs genuinely require something above that amount, it is possible to apply for additional funding with appropriate evidence, including a quote and a current prescription from a relevant health professional.
How long does AT-HM funding last?
In most circumstances, your AT-HM funding is available to use within 12 months of signing your service agreement. That 12-month window applies across all tiers.
Two situations allow for a longer timeframe.
People living with a progressive condition such as motor neurone disease or Parkinson's disease are automatically given 24 months for assistive technology funding, with the option to apply for a further extension taking the total to 48 months.
Where a high-tier home modification is underway but cannot be completed within 12 months, the funding period can be extended to 24 months, provided there is evidence that work has commenced.
Who can access the scheme?
AT-HM funding is available to Support at Home participants. Assessment happens through the standard aged care assessment process, so you don't need to arrange a separate application. If the assessor determines you would benefit from assistive technology or home modifications, they will approve an appropriate funding tier and include it in your Notice of Decision.
If you've transitioned from a Home Care Package
People who moved from the HCP Program to Support at Home on 1 November 2025 are eligible for the AT-HM Scheme, but there is one condition: any unspent HCP funds need to be used toward AT-HM needs before new scheme funding is drawn on. If those unspent funds don't stretch far enough, your provider can submit a request for AT-HM funding to cover the gap.
Participant contributions
If you came into Support at Home as a new participant (rather than transitioning from an HCP), you may be asked to contribute a portion of your AT-HM costs. The contribution rate is income-tested, assessed by Services Australia as part of your broader financial assessment, and won't be the same for everyone. Your provider can walk you through what this might look like in practice.
Getting access: the process step by step
1. Complete an aged care assessment. Before you can access the AT-HM Scheme, you need to be assessed through My Aged Care. The assessor will determine whether you are eligible for AT-HM funding and, if so, approve an appropriate funding tier. This approval is recorded in your Notice of Decision and support plan. If you haven't yet had an aged care assessment, you can register through My Aged Care by calling 1800 200 422.
2. Start a conversation with your provider. Once you have an approved AT-HM funding tier, speak with your provider about what equipment or home modifications you need. They can help you understand your options and connect you with the right health professionals.
3. Organise a clinical assessment. Depending on what you need, an occupational therapist or another relevant health professional will look at your home environment and assess your functional situation. For most prescribed items and home modifications, this step is required.
4. Get the recommendations in writing. Your assessor will document what they've identified, which forms the basis of the funding application.
5. Your provider lodges the application. They'll submit the relevant evidence, including prescriptions, quotes, and clinical justification, on your behalf.
6. Move forward with purchase or installation. Once the application is approved, you can arrange for equipment to be sourced or modifications to be carried out.
If the tier you're approved for doesn't cover everything you need, your provider can request a Support Plan Review backed by clinical evidence to seek a higher tier.
Does this affect your regular care budget?
No, AT-HM funding and your quarterly Support at Home budget are completely separate. Spending from one has absolutely no effect on the other. You can have a bathroom modification completed and still have your full quarterly allocation available for personal care, nursing, domestic support, or any other services in your care plan.
What the scheme doesn't cover
The AT-HM Scheme is designed around safety, independence, and functional need. It doesn't extend to:
- General home upkeep or repairs unrelated to accessibility or safety
- Items already funded through Medicare, the NDIS, or other government programs
- Standard household appliances or goods
- Equipment used purely for leisure or recreation
If you're unsure whether something is covered, your provider or the assessing clinician is the right person to ask.
How it works for self-managed clients at Trilogy Care
When you self-manage your Support at Home funding with Trilogy Care, navigating the AT-HM Scheme is something your care partner handles alongside you. We can connect you with occupational therapists and allied health professionals to carry out the assessments you need, and we'll help manage the application process so nothing slips through the gaps.
One of the real advantages of self-management is the choice it gives you. You're not locked into a single supplier or contractor. You can seek quotes, compare options, and select the people and products that suit your home and your circumstances. That flexibility extends to your AT-HM funding, helping you get genuine value from every dollar.
If you'd like to explore what the AT-HM Scheme might mean for your situation, call Trilogy Care on 1300 459 190 or visit trilogycare.com.au/support-at-home.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to see an occupational therapist before I can access this funding?
For more complex items and for home modifications, a clinical assessment is part of the process. For lower-tier assistive technology, the requirements are simpler and will vary depending on the item. Your provider can tell you exactly what's needed for your particular situation before you commit to anything.
Can I choose where my equipment comes from or who does my modifications?
Yes, in most cases. The main requirement is that the item or work meets the relevant standards. For self-managed clients with Trilogy Care, this flexibility is a genuine advantage. You can shop around, get competing quotes, and make informed decisions about who you work with.
What if my costs come in higher than my approved tier?
Your provider can put forward a Support Plan Review, with supporting evidence, to apply for a higher funding tier. For assistive technology where the cost exceeds $15,000, a separate pre-approval process exists. If there is still a gap after funding is confirmed, you have the option to contribute privately toward the difference.
I've just moved across from a Home Care Package. Can I still access this scheme?
Yes. Transitioning participants are eligible, but you'll need to draw on any unspent HCP funds first. Once those are exhausted, your provider can apply for AT-HM funding to cover what remains. It's worth having that conversation with your provider early so you're clear on what's available.
Do I have to buy my equipment outright?
Not necessarily. Assistive technology can be purchased, rented, or borrowed depending on the item and your situation. Renting makes sense when you only need something for a limited time, and some equipment is available through loan schemes. Your provider can point you toward the options that work best for your needs.
