Assistive technology assessment in Australia

You know that assistive technology (AT) can make life at home safer and easier, but with so many options, how do you choose the right ones? The answer is a professional assessment, available right here in Australia.

An Assistive Technology Assessment is not a test. It is a collaborative, practical conversation and observation aimed at finding the best solutions for your specific needs and goals in your Australia home. It is about matching the right tools to you.

What is an AT Assessment?

An AT Assessment is a comprehensive evaluation conducted by a qualified health professional to identify which devices, equipment, or home modifications can best support your independence, safety, and wellbeing. The focus is always on your personal goals, whether that is getting in and out of the shower safely, being able to prepare meals independently, or staying connected with family through technology.

Who Performs the Assessment?

In Australia, these assessments are typically carried out by a university-qualified Occupational Therapist (OT). OTs are experts in the relationship between people, their daily activities (“occupations”), and their environment. They are the ideal professionals to help you find practical and effective technology solutions. In some cases, physiotherapists or speech pathologists may also contribute to the assessment, particularly for mobility equipment or communication devices.

The Assessment Process: A Step-by-Step Guide

The Australia-based assessment process is designed to be friendly, thorough, and all about you. Here is what you can expect:

Step 1: The Initial Chat The assessment begins with a conversation. The OT will want to understand what is important to you. What do you want to achieve? What tasks have become difficult or frustrating? What are your daily routines? This helps set the goals for the assessment.

Step 2: The Home Walk-Through The OT will then walk through your Australia home with you. They will observe how you perform everyday tasks, such as getting out of a chair, making a cup of tea, or having a shower. This practical observation helps them identify potential risks and see exactly where the right piece of technology could help.

Step 3: Trying Things Out Where possible, the OT may bring some simple pieces of equipment to trial during the visit in Australia. This could be a specific type of jar opener or a long-handled shoe horn. This hands-on approach helps determine what works best for you in the real world.

Step 4: Recommendations and Discussion After the observation, the OT will discuss their findings with you. They will explain the different types of AT that could help you achieve your goals and answer all your questions. This is a collaborative discussion to decide on the best path forward.

Categories of Assistive Technology

AT covers a wide range of products and solutions. During an assessment in Australia, your OT may recommend items across several categories:

Personal Care and Daily Living

• Shower chairs, bath boards, and toilet frames. See bathroom and shower equipment
• Daily living and kitchen aids: adapted cutlery, dressing aids, reachers, kitchen tools
• Arm and hand function aids: mobile arm supports, adaptive grips, functional splints

Mobility and Transfers

• Wheelchair and walking aids assessment: manual and powered wheelchairs, walking frames, rollators
• Hoist and transfer equipment: ceiling hoists, mobile hoists, slings, transfer boards
• Bed and pressure care equipment: adjustable beds, pressure mattresses, positioning aids
• Specialist seating: pressure cushions, postural backrests, tilt-in-space systems

Communication and Cognitive Aids

• Communication devices and AAC: speech-generating devices, picture boards, AAC apps
• Cognitive support and memory aids: medication dispensers, GPS trackers, orientation clocks, visual schedules
• Computer and switch access: eye gaze, switch scanning, adapted keyboards, head tracking

Home Modifications and Access

• Home modifications assessment: grab rails, ramps, bathroom modifications, doorway widening
• Stairlifts and lifting platforms: seated stairlifts, platform lifts, through-floor lifts
• Vehicle modifications: hand controls, wheelchair hoists, accessible vehicle conversions

Safety and Monitoring

• Personal emergency alarm systems: monitored pendants, fall detectors, GPS mobile alarms
• Body protection equipment: hip protectors, protective helmets, shin guards
• Hearing support equipment: assistive listening devices, alerting systems, amplified phones

Specialist Support

• Orthoses and splinting: AFOs, wrist splints, spinal braces, custom orthotic devices
• Vision support and low vision aids: magnifiers, screen readers, lighting solutions
• Continence support: continence assessment, product prescription, equipment supply
• Assistance dog support: guide dogs, mobility dogs, psychiatric assistance dogs

What Happens After the Assessment?

Following the assessment, you will receive a comprehensive report. This report will detail:

• Your goals and the challenges identified.
• Specific recommendations for assistive technology, equipment, or home modifications.
• Justification for why each item is recommended, which is important for funding.
• Supplier information and estimated costs where available.

This report is a vital document that can be submitted to your Support at Home (formerly Home Care Package) provider or the NDIS to get funding for the recommended solutions in Australia.

How Long Does an Assessment Take?

A standard AT assessment in Australia usually takes between one and two hours for the in-home visit. More complex assessments, particularly those involving powered wheelchairs, vehicle modifications, or major home modifications, may require additional appointments or specialist input. Your OT will let you know what to expect during the initial booking.

Funding Your Assistive Technology Assessment

The assessment itself, and many of the recommended items, can be funded through several programs:

• NDIS Capacity Building: AT assessments are typically funded under the Improved Daily Living category. Your plan may also include funding for the recommended equipment.
• Support at Home (formerly Home Care Packages): Assistive technology and home modifications are funded through the separate Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) Scheme, not your ongoing quarterly service budget, so you do not need to save from your service budget to get equipment. AT-HM funding is allocated in three tiers (Low: under $500; Medium: up to $2,000; High: up to $15,000, with more in some complex cases). Your tier is determined through the aged care assessment and recorded in your Notice of Decision and support plan, with funds generally available for 12 months.
• Medicare: Some allied health consultation time may be partially rebated through a GP referral under a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan, which covers up to 5 subsidised allied health sessions per calendar year (partial rebate; funds OT time, not equipment).
• Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA): Eligible veterans can access AT assessments and equipment through DVA funding.
• State Government Programs: Some states offer additional equipment programs, such as EnableNSW or SWEP in Victoria.
• Private Payment: If you are not currently on a funded program, you can arrange a private assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a referral for an AT assessment?

It depends on your funding source. NDIS participants can usually book directly with an OT, though your Support Coordinator or Local Area Coordinator may assist with the process. For Support at Home clients, your package provider will arrange the assessment. For Medicare-funded assessments, you will need a GP referral. If you are paying privately, no referral is needed.

How much does an assistive technology assessment cost?

OTs providing AT assessments in Australia typically charge from around $150 per hour, up to the NDIS national price cap for occupational therapy of $193.99 per hour (2026-27 NDIS Pricing Schedule). Most in-home assessments take one to two hours. For 2026-27, provider travel, non-face-to-face work, and NDIA-requested reports are listed as separate line items rather than folded into the hourly rate, with therapy travel time charged at 50% of the service rate. The cost is usually covered by your NDIS plan or Support at Home package, so there is often no out-of-pocket expense for funded participants.

What should I prepare before my assessment?

Think about the tasks you find difficult or frustrating. It helps to make a list of your daily challenges and goals before the OT visits. If you have any existing equipment that is not working well, have it ready to show the therapist. Also have your NDIS plan or Support at Home details on hand so the OT can tailor recommendations to your available funding.

How long does it take to get equipment after the assessment?

Simple, low-cost items like grab rails and daily living aids can often be sourced within a few days. More complex equipment, such as powered wheelchairs or custom seating, may take several weeks due to ordering, fitting, and delivery times. Your OT will provide estimated timeframes for each recommended item.

Can the assessment be done at my home?

Yes. In-home assessments are actually preferred for AT evaluations because the OT can observe you in your actual living environment. This means their recommendations are specific to your home layout, your furniture, and your daily routines. Providers in the Carevo network offer in-home assessments throughout Australia and surrounding areas.

Ready to find the solutions that will make a real difference in your Australia home?

Book Your In-Home Assessment Today