Funding Options for Assistive Technology
Australia has multiple programs that can help fund your mobility aids, seating, beds, bathroom equipment, home modifications, and more. This guide explains each pathway clearly — for clients, carers, and healthcare professionals.
At a Glance — All 8 Programs
SWEP is funded by the Victorian Department of Health and managed by Grampians Health Ballarat. It provides subsidised access to a broad range of assistive technology, equipment, and home modifications for eligible Victorians who need support to live independently. SWEP operates a co-payment model — the amount you contribute depends on the item and your circumstances.
Programs & Services Covered
- Mobility aids — walking frames, rollators, manual & powered wheelchairs
- Seating, positioning, pressure care
- Beds, mattresses, and patient handling
- Bathroom and toileting aids
- Communication devices
- Repairs & maintenance of funded items
- Continence Aids — subsidised continence products
- Domiciliary Oxygen — home oxygen equipment
- Laryngectomy & Voice Aids — consumables and devices
- Lymphoedema Garments — compression garments
- Vehicle Modifications — subsidy for vehicle adaptations
- Home Modifications — structural changes to the home
- SAEAS — equipment for supported accommodation
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted by a registered AT Practitioner (OT, physiotherapist, or speech pathologist depending on item type) via the AT Practitioner Portal. The prescriber assesses your needs, prepares a clinical justification, and lodges the application on your behalf. Some items require trialling before approval.
- Provide trials and demonstrations for equipment requiring clinical justification
- Prepare detailed quotes for SWEP applications
- Supply contracted items and support delivery & fitting
- Arrange repairs and maintenance for SWEP-funded items
🌐 Official website: swep.bhs.org.au | Phone: 1300 747 937
The NDIS funds assistive technology that helps participants achieve their goals, improve independence, or increase safety. All NDIS AT must meet the "reasonable and necessary" criteria — meaning it must be directly related to your disability, represent value for money, and be the most appropriate option.
NDIS AT Support Levels
| Level | Complexity | Typical Cost Range | Funding Category | Assessment Required | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Basic / Low-risk | Up to ~$1,500 | Core Supports | No formal AT assessment required | Non-slip mats, basic grab rails, reachers, pill organisers |
| Level 2 | Standard | ~$1,500 – $5,000 | Core or Capital | Basic clinical assessment or OT recommendation | Standard wheelchairs, shower chairs, shower commodes, basic walking aids |
| Level 3 | Specialised | ~$5,000 – $15,000 | Capital Supports | AT Specialist assessment required; trials recommended | Custom manual wheelchairs, specialised seating, pressure care systems, adjustable beds |
| Level 4 | Complex / High Cost | $15,000+ | Capital Supports | AT Specialist assessment + trials + evidence; NDIS planner approval | Powered wheelchairs, hoists, AAC devices, complex seating systems, ventilators |
Key Rules
AT must: relate to your disability → not be something another system should fund (e.g. SWEP, Medicare) → represent value for money → be the most appropriate option for your goals.
Levels 3–4 typically require trialling equipment before purchase. Trials confirm the AT is suitable and builds the evidence base for NDIS approval. Trials are generally funded under Core Supports.
NDIS is not a first resort — it must be demonstrated that other programs (SWEP, TAC, WorkSafe, DVA) don't fund the item before NDIS will approve it.
If your AT needs change between plan reviews, you can request a change of situation review to add or adjust AT funding in your plan.
- Equipment trials for Levels 3–4 AT — supporting OT reports and plan approvals
- Detailed quotes and product specifications for NDIS submissions
- Registered NDIS provider — invoicing directly through NDIS portal
- Support for plan managed and self managed participants
- Ongoing maintenance, repairs, and warranty support
🌐 Official website: ndis.gov.au | Phone: 1800 800 110
The Support at Home Program is Australia's new in-home aged care system, launched on 1 November 2025. It includes a dedicated AT & Home Modifications (AT-HM) Scheme that provides upfront, separate funding for equipment and home modifications — independent of your regular care budget.
Simple, low-risk daily living items. No prescription required. 12-month period.
Moderate equipment needing professional advice. 12-month period.
Complex AT or major home modifications. Prescription required. OT must prescribe all HM.
- Guide you through the assessment and funding allocation process
- Develop service agreements and care plans
- Source and deliver eligible items from the AT-HM list
- Coordinate OT prescriptions and wraparound services (govt-funded)
For the complete guide including the 6 ISO function categories and eligible items, visit our dedicated resource:
🔧 Full AT-HM Scheme Guide → 💵 Funding & Classifications →🌐 Official website: health.gov.au/our-work/support-at-home | My Aged Care: 1800 200 422
The Transition Care Program (TCP) helps older people recover safely after a hospital stay by providing a short-term, time-limited package of care. It bridges the gap between hospital and home, helping people regain independence, restore function, and arrange longer-term care before they need it.
What TCP Provides
- Allied health care (OT, physio, speech pathology)
- Nursing and personal care support
- Social work and care coordination
- Short-term assistive technology (usually loaned)
- Support to finalise ongoing aged care arrangements
- Time-limited — 12 weeks maximum (+ 6 week extension, once)
- Equipment is typically loaned, not purchased or kept
- Managed by the TCP provider/hospital — not participant-directed
- Must enter care within 24hrs (residential) or 48hrs (home) of discharge
- Up to 7 break days allowed during the program
- Fast supply of loaner or short-term equipment to support safe hospital discharge
- Coordinate with TCP coordinators and OTs for appropriate AT selection
- Help with long-term planning after TCP — transition to Support at Home or NDIS equipment
🌐 Official website: health.gov.au/our-work/transition-care-programme | My Aged Care: 1800 200 422
GEAT2GO is a national program under the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) designed to provide fast access to low-cost, low-risk assistive technology for seniors who need basic support to remain safe and independent at home. It’s particularly useful where geography or limited access to prescribing professionals creates barriers.
How It Works
- Shower chairs and bath seats
- Walking frames and rollators
- Kitchen and daily living aids
- Simple mobility supports
- Basic continence aids
- Higher-risk items with OT/Physio assessment
- Health professional registers on GEAT2GO platform
- Account approved within approx. 2 business days
- Professional selects and requests appropriate items
- Items delivered to client’s home
- For higher-risk items, OT/Physio assessment must precede request
- Supply items listed on the GEAT2GO approved catalogue
- Fast delivery to clients in regional and metropolitan areas
- Coordinate with referring health professionals on appropriate item selection
🌐 Program website: indigo.org.au/geat2go/
DVA funds a wide range of assistive technology, aids, appliances, and home modifications under the Rehabilitation Appliances Program (RAP) for eligible veterans, war widows/widowers, and their dependants. Coverage depends on which card you hold and whether the need is related to an accepted condition.
Gold Card vs White Card
- Comprehensive coverage of AT and home modifications
- All medical conditions covered (not only war-related)
- Mobility aids, seating, beds, bathroom equipment
- Communication and cognitive aids
- Home modifications (grab rails, ramps, bathroom works)
- Prior approval required for some high-cost items
- Coverage limited to accepted war-related conditions
- AT must relate to the accepted condition
- Same range of equipment available — but condition-specific
- Clinical justification linking condition to AT need is essential
Key Rules
- All items must be clinically justified by a treating health professional
- Prescription required for most AT — OT, GP, or specialist depending on item type
- Some high-cost or complex items require prior approval from DVA
- DVA may not fund items already covered by Medicare or another government program
- Urgent requests can be fast-tracked — speak to your DVA-registered provider
- Supply AT and home modification services to Gold and White Card holders
- Prepare detailed quotes and clinical justification documentation
- Coordinate with DVA-registered OTs and medical practitioners
- Assist with prior approval requests for high-cost items
- Equipment trials to support prescriber reports
🌐 Official website: dva.gov.au | DVA General Enquiries: 1800 838 372
TAC funds assistive technology, equipment, and aids that support recovery, improve independence, and restore function for people injured in a transport accident in Victoria. Both standard and complex equipment can be funded, as long as the need relates to the transport accident injury.
Approval Urgency Levels
| Level | Urgency | Response Time | When It Applies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Emergency | 8 hours | Mobility or safety at immediate risk |
| Level 2 | Urgent | 8–16 hours | Mobility, hygiene, or safety significantly compromised |
| Level 3 | Standard | 3–10 days | Non-customised, non-urgent items |
| Level 4 | Custom | Estimated at order | Customised or specialised AT requiring manufacture |
Key Rules
- AT must directly relate to the transport accident injury — pre-existing conditions are not covered
- Prescription from an OT, physiotherapist, or medical specialist required for most items
- Complex AT typically requires trialling before TAC approves purchase
- TAC may fund both the AT and related wraparound services (delivery, training, maintenance)
- Equipment from non-contracted suppliers requires trialling first
- Equipment trials and demonstrations for TAC prescribers and coordinators
- Detailed quotes and equipment specifications for TAC approval
- Urgent supply for Level 1–2 requests — fast turnaround
- Delivery, fitting, training, and follow-up for approved AT
- Maintenance and repair of TAC-funded equipment
🌐 Official website: tac.vic.gov.au | TAC: 1300 654 329
WorkSafe funds assistive technology and related equipment that helps injured workers recover function, improve independence, and support return-to-work or daily living goals following an accepted workplace injury claim. Equipment must be clinically justified as necessary for rehabilitation following the work-related injury.
Procurement Pathways
| Equipment Value | Pathway | Who Manages |
|---|---|---|
| Under $200 | Direct order by approved health professional | OT / Allied health professional |
| Under $1,000 | Contracted supplier network | WorkSafe contracted suppliers |
| Over $1,000 or custom | WorkSafe Equipment Purchasing Team | Centralised approval and purchase |
Urgency Levels
Safety at risk
Mobility/hygiene at risk
Standard non-custom
Specialised items
Key Rules
- Equipment must directly relate to the workplace injury — pre-existing conditions are not covered
- Must measurably improve function, independence, mobility, communication, or safety
- Prescription from an OT, physiotherapist, or medical specialist required
- Complex AT must be trialled before ordering from non-contracted suppliers
- If a worker requests premium equipment beyond suitable standard models, a worker contribution applies for the price difference
- WorkSafe does not fund insurance, warranty costs, or workplace-specific equipment
- Equipment trials and clinical demonstrations for WorkSafe prescribers
- Detailed product quotes and specifications for WorkSafe approval submissions
- Fast supply for urgent Level 1–2 requests
- Contracted supplier pathway for eligible items
- Delivery, fitting, and training for approved equipment
- Ongoing maintenance and repair support
🌐 Official website: worksafe.vic.gov.au | WorkSafe: 1800 136 089
Not Sure Which Funding Applies to You?
Our team works across all 8 funding pathways. We can help you identify the right program, understand your entitlements, and navigate the process from assessment to equipment delivery.
Talk to Our Team Browse Our Products