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Will I Need to Make a Personal Contribution?
What are the AT-HM funding tiers?
What Does the $15,000 Amount Mean?
What Documentation is Required?
How do I Access AT-HM Funding?
Do I Need an Occupational Therapist Recommendation before Purchasing Equipment?
Can I Purchase Second-Hand Equipment?
What if I do not have AT-HM Funding Approved?
What Code Should Be Included on the Invoice?
How Long Does Equipment Approval Take?
Before Purchasing or Hiring Equipment
AT-HM is a short-term pathway under the Support at Home program that provides separate funding for assistive technology and home modifications. This means approved participants do not need to save funding from their quarterly Support at Home budgets.
AT-HM funding may cover:
Items and services funded through AT-HM may attract a participant contribution, depending on the category.
Assistive technology products, equipment, home modifications and associated services attract a contribution equivalent to the independence service category.
Prescription and wraparound services fall under clinical supports and do not attract a participant contribution. These services are fully funded by the government for all Support at Home participants.
Assistive technology and home modification funding are allocated separately based on your assessed needs.
| Support Type | Tier | Funding Cap | Access Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assistive Technology (AT) | Low | Up to $500 | 12 months |
| Assistive Technology (AT) | Medium | Up to $2,000 | 12 months |
| Assistive Technology (AT) | High | Up to $15,000+ | 12 months (usually) |
| Home Modifications (HM) | Low | Up to $500 | 12 months |
| Home Modifications (HM) | Medium | Up to $2,000 | 12 months |
| Home Modifications (HM) | High | Up to $15,000 cap | 12 months (may be extended to 24 months) |
Notes:
AT and home modification funding amounts do not accrue. They are allocated for a fixed period, which is generally 12 months.
Funding must be spent, rather than only committed, during the allocation period. Providers then have an additional 60 days to finalise claims. After this period, the funds are no longer accessible.
Providers may charge for specific AT-HM administration and coordination activities that are not covered by care management. All charges must be agreed with you and included in your individualised budget.
| Charge Type | What it Covers | Cap (Maximum) |
|---|---|---|
| AT administration fee | AT-specific administration activities not covered by care management, including:
|
10% of the cost of the item or bundle, or $500 (whichever is lower). |
| HM coordination fee | Coordination and project management activities for home modifications, including:
|
15% of the total quoted home modification cost, or $1,500 (whichever is lower). |
For high-tier assistive technology, $15,000 is a nominal amount. Additional funding may be available through the AT high-tier over $15,000 process where evidence shows that it is required.
High-tier home modification funding is capped at $15,000 over a participant’s lifetime. Any unspent amount may be accessed through a later high-tier home modification allocation following an assessment.
Local Guardians will prepare an itemised individualised budget with you. This must include:
The amount charged to your funding cannot exceed the invoiced cost of the item or modification, together with the documented costs of prescription, wraparound services and provider administration or coordination.
All costs must be agreed and documented. If a price changes, Local Guardians must obtain your consent and record the agreement in writing.
AT-HM approval requires an aged care assessment and an approved funding-tier classification for assistive technology, home modifications or both.
Local Guardians will document your needs, goals and preferences in your care plan and prepare your individualised budget.
For home modifications, written consent from the homeowner may be required. Quotes must also provide enough information about the proposed work and associated costs.
In most cases, aids or equipment will need a recommendation from an appropriately qualified allied health professional.
This will generally be an Occupational Therapist, but it may be a physiotherapist, registered nurse or another appropriate health professional depending on the equipment.
Aids and equipment must:
Equipment must not:
A recommendation from an Occupational Therapist or other health professional does not automatically mean an item will be approved. Local Guardians must also confirm that the item complies with Support at Home funding requirements.
Second-hand equipment can be purchased using Support at Home funding, but additional considerations apply to ensure the equipment is safe, suitable and properly documented.
The following requirements apply:
Second-hand equipment should not be purchased until the item and supporting information have been reviewed and approved.
Yes. However, hired assistive technology equipment must be claimed through your AT-HM funding. It cannot be paid from your ongoing quarterly Support at Home budget.
If you need to hire equipment and do not have enough AT-HM funding, a Funding Application Form and documents showing evidence of your need can be completed and submitted to My Aged Care.
If your approved AT-HM tier is insufficient, Local Guardians can request a Support Plan Review and provide evidence to support an increase in your funding tier.
The invoice must use the Services Australia claiming code that matches the type of equipment. There is no separate claiming code for hired equipment.
| Equipment being hired | Services Australia claiming code |
|---|---|
| Mobility equipment, such as a wheelchair, walker, shower chair, bed pole or transfer aid | SERV-0063 Mobility products |
| Continence, toileting, showering, dressing or personal care equipment | SERV-0062 Self-care products |
| Domestic or adaptive household equipment | SERV-0064 Domestic life products |
| Communication, alerting, tracking or information-management equipment | SERV-0065 Communication and information management products |
| Pressure care, positioning, respiratory or body-support equipment | SERV-0061 Managing body functions |
| Clinical prescription, assessment or setup support | SERV-0066 Assistive technology prescription and clinical support |
Approval times begin after all supporting documentation has been submitted, including the care plan and budget.
Most equipment requests are reviewed within one to two business days once the required documents have been received.
Requests involving mobility scooters, electric wheelchairs, mechanical lifting equipment or mechanical vehicle lifters generally require five business days.
The documentation required depends on the equipment. It may include:
Incomplete requests may take longer because the approval timeframe does not begin until all required supporting information has been provided.
All items must be included in your care plan and budget before you commit any funding.
Speak with your Local Guardians Care Advisor before purchasing, ordering or hiring equipment. If additional information or a specialist recommendation is required, your Care Advisor will let you know.
You will be advised when the request has been approved.
https://localguardians.com/faqs/how-to-use-a-hoist/
https://localguardians.com/faqs/how-to-use-a-hospital-bed/
https://localguardians.com/faqs/how-to-use-a-manual-wheelchair/
https://localguardians.com/faqs/how-to-use-a-mobility-scooter/
https://localguardians.com/faqs/how-to-use-sara-stedy/
https://localguardians.com/faqs/how-to-use-a-slide-board/
https://localguardians.com/faqs/how-to-use-a-slide-sheet/
https://localguardians.com/faqs/how-to-use-a-sling/
https://localguardians.com/faqs/how-to-use-a-standing-machine/
https://localguardians.com/faqs/how-to-use-a-walk-belt/
https://localguardians.com/faqs/how-to-use-a-walker/
https://localguardians.com/faqs/how-to-use-a-walking-stick-or-crutches/
https://localguardians.com/faqs/how-to-use-an-air-mattress/
https://localguardians.com/faqs/how-to-use-an-electric-wheelchair/
https://localguardians.com/faqs/purchasing-second-hand-equipment/
A Cabcharge card is a type of payment card that can be used to pay for taxi and other transport services in Australia. It works like a regular credit card, but it’s designed specifically for paying for transportation services.
When you use a Cabcharge card, the cost of your taxi or other transport service is charged directly to the card. You don’t need to pay the driver directly, and you don’t need to worry about carrying cash.
Cabcharge cards also come with additional features, such as the ability to track your travel expenses or to limit the types of transport services that can be charged to the card.
Spending on a Cabcharge Card must be payable by the Support at Home funding, it can only be used by and benefit the Support at Home recipient. It can be used in the absence of family or friends being able to transport the client to things like medical appointments or community access.
All expenditure must be within budget, any additional use of the cabcharge card is to be borne personally.
Follow this link to order a Cabcharge.
No, you cannot use both the Cabcharge card and the half-price taxi scheme at the same time. Both schemes are government initiatives and as such, you are only allowed to use one at a time.
The half-price taxi scheme offers eligible passengers a 50% discount on taxi fares and is only available in certain states or territories in Australia. It’s important to check with your local transport authority for more information on how to use the scheme in your area and to comply with the rules and regulations of each scheme separately.
To cancel a Cabcharge FASTCARD or Digital Pass:
Cancellations are generally processed within 24 hours. You can check the cancellation status through the Cabcharge+ portal.
Any replacement card must also be ordered through the Cabcharge+ portal. There is a Cabcharge contact centre to also cancel a card: 1800 652 229.
Alternatively, if you are a client of Local Guardians we can cancel a Cabcharge Card for you. Click here to report it for cancellation
Nursing care consumables are specialised clinical products used to support an individual’s assessed nursing or health needs.
They may relate to services such as:
These products must be linked to an identified clinical need, supported by an appropriate treatment plan, included in the participant’s care plan and budget, and reviewed regularly.
Support at Home distinguishes between everyday nursing supplies and specialised, client-specific consumables.
Everyday supplies, such as basic bandages and antiseptics, are generally expected to be included in the nursing provider’s hourly price.
Nursing care consumables funding is intended for specialised products that relate specifically to an individual’s clinical needs and would not ordinarily be carried by a nurse as standard stock. Examples may include prescribed skin products and disposable continence aids.
Where a participant’s Notice of Decision includes nursing care consumables, a Local Guardians nurse or another relevant clinician will work with the participant to confirm:
Skin creams may be covered when they are specialised nursing products linked to an individual’s assessed skin integrity needs.
An example is a prescribed skin emollient used to manage skin integrity. General skincare products that are not clinically required are not considered specialised nursing care consumables.
For participants who transitioned from a Home Care Package, Local Guardians requires skin integrity needs to be discussed with the clinical team. A brief clinical assessment and note must be included in the care plan, linking the product to an assessed need and goal.
The ongoing need should be reviewed as part of the participant’s care plan review, at least annually.
Wound care is included within nursing care clinical supports under Support at Home.
Basic supplies that a nurse would normally carry, such as standard bandages or antiseptics, are generally included in the nursing hourly price.
Specialised wound dressings and client-specific wound care products may be funded as nursing care consumables where they are linked to an assessed clinical need.
Local Guardians require a wound treatment plan from a wound care nurse, GP or relevant specialist. The plan should outline:
This allows the products to be documented in the participant’s care plan and reviewed during regular care plan reviews.
Generally, no.
Dose Administration Aids, including Webster Packs, are ordinarily subsidised through other programs and are outside the scope of Support at Home funding.
Support at Home may fund assistance to help a participant organise their medications safely. This may include:
The cost of the Webster Pack or Dose Administration Aid itself is not generally funded through Support at Home.
Yes. Continence aids, including pads and pull-ups, may be funded as nursing care consumables where:
When funded as nursing care consumables, these products are fully government funded and do not require a personal contribution.
Participants who transitioned from the former Home Care Packages Program and have not yet been reassessed may generally continue to access these products where the clinical need is properly documented in their care plan.
Speak with your Local Guardians Care Advisor or clinical team before purchasing a new nursing care product.
They will confirm whether:
Personal care
Domestic assistance
Nursing care
Allied health services
Social support
Approved modifications to improve the safety and accessibility of your home, and assistive technology such as mobility aids and communication devices. You can learn more about AT-HM funding in our dedicated FAQ.
Support at Home funding can pay for the preparation and delivery of prepared meals, but it cannot pay for the food component or any part of takeaway food.
The industry split currently allocates:
To use Support at Home funding for prepared meals, Local Guardians needs to ensure that the meals:
The meal provider must be able to provide evidence that a dietitian has reviewed its meals or menu range.
An individual dietitian assessment is generally only required where the client has identified nutrition risks, specialised dietary needs or has selected a provider that cannot demonstrate appropriate dietitian oversight.
These requirements do not apply to meals prepared by a support worker in the client’s home.
You can use your Support at Home funding to pay for approved respite care that gives your usual carer a break.
This may include respite delivered in your home or other respite services included in your Support at Home approval and care plan.
Support at Home funding cannot be used to pay for accommodation. Government-funded residential respite is arranged separately and is available to people who have an appropriate respite approval through My Aged Care.
Myotherapy and many other therapeutic services are not listed as standalone funded services under the Support at Home service list.
Remedial massage may be funded where it:
Massage for general relaxation is not covered.
Other therapeutic services may be considered where they are included in the Support at Home service list and meet the client’s assessed care needs.
Support at Home funding cannot be used for usual cost-of-living expenses. Services must be an acceptable use of government funding, represent value for money and meet the client’s assessed needs.
Speak with your Local Guardians Care Advisor before arranging a new service. They can help you understand what is available and ensure the service is included in your care plan and budget before it begins.
VIC & TAS: (03) 7067 0555
NSW & ACT: (02) 7227 7661
QLD & NT: (07) 2139 7090
WA & SA: (08) 6383 8819