By Steve Hadfield, AgedCareActionPlan.au · Last updated: 26 April 2026
AT-HM is a separate budget. A $2,000 grab rail and ramp installation funded through AT-HM does not reduce your quarterly budget for personal care by a single dollar. They come from completely different funding pools. If your provider tells you otherwise, that is incorrect.
You've been waiting months for a grab rail. Or a shower chair. Or a ramp that would let your parent get in and out of the house safely. You've asked your provider. They've said they're looking into it. Nothing has happened.
This guide explains how AT-HM funding actually works — what it covers, the four tiers, who needs to approve what, and what to do if the process has stalled. Check the interactive escalation tool if you need to push a delayed request.
AT-HM covers two broad categories: assistive technology (equipment) and home modifications (physical changes to the home). Both are funded separately from your quarterly care budget.
The Support at Home AT-HM scheme uses four tiers. The tier determines what evidence is required, how long the process takes, and how much funding is available.
| Tier | Maximum | OT assessment | Typical items | Approximate timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low | Up to $500 | Not required | Basic equipment — grab rails, bath boards, shower stools | 1–2 weeks |
| Medium | Up to $2,000 | OT recommendation required | Walking frames, shower chairs, commode, fall alarm | 2–4 weeks |
| High | Up to $15,000 | Full OT assessment + quotes | Ramps, bathroom modifications, doorway widening | 4–8 weeks |
| Complex | $15,000+ | Full OT assessment + specialist | Major structural modifications, ceiling hoists | 8–16 weeks |
Tiers and timelines based on Support at Home program guidelines effective 1 November 2025. Complex tier timelines vary based on local availability and modification scope.
Call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or check your care plan letter. AT-HM must be approved as part of your care plan. If it isn't listed and you need equipment or modifications, request a Support Plan Review.
For Medium tier and above, an OT must assess the home and document the functional need. Your provider can arrange this. Your GP can also provide a referral. The OT assessment costs money — ask whether this comes from your AT-HM allocation or your regular budget before agreeing.
For High and Complex tier modifications, get at least two quotes from suppliers or tradespeople. You are entitled to shop around — your provider's preferred supplier is not mandatory. Submit the quotes with the OT recommendation.
Your provider submits the AT-HM claim separately from your regular quarterly budget. Ask them for a reference number and an expected timeline. Follow up in writing if you haven't heard within 2 weeks.
Delays are common. The most frequent reasons are: the OT assessment hasn't been booked, the provider hasn't submitted the claim, or the claim is waiting on My Aged Care processing. Whichever it is, you need to know which.
"I submitted an AT-HM request for [item/modification] on [date]. Can you confirm: (1) Has the OT assessment been arranged? If so, what is the date? (2) Has the claim been submitted to My Aged Care? If so, what is the reference number and expected timeframe? I'd like a written update within 3 business days."
If your provider cannot give you clear answers, or if the request has been sitting for more than 8 weeks without a clear explanation, use the escalation guide to take it to OPAN (1800 700 600) or My Aged Care (1800 200 422).
Some items fall outside the AT-HM scheme — particularly smart home technology, non-medical furniture, and items not directly related to a clinical or functional need. For items outside AT-HM:
If your AT-HM request has been ignored or refused, the escalation ladder tool shows you exactly who to call and what to say.
AT-HM stands for Assistive Technology and Home Modifications. It is a separate funding stream under Support at Home for equipment (walking frames, shower chairs, communication devices) and home modifications (grab rails, ramps, bathroom alterations). AT-HM comes from a separate budget — it does not reduce your regular quarterly care budget.
No. AT-HM is a completely separate funding stream — confirmed at myagedcare.gov.au. Using your AT-HM allocation for a grab rail or ramp does not reduce your quarterly budget for personal care or cleaning by a single dollar.
There are four tiers: Low (up to $500, no OT assessment required), Medium (up to $2,000, OT recommendation required), High (up to $15,000, OT assessment and quotes required), and Complex (above $15,000, assessed individually). The tier determines what evidence is needed and how long the process takes.
For Medium, High, and Complex tier AT-HM, an OT assessment is required. For Low tier items under $500, an OT assessment is not required. OT assessments can be arranged through your provider or via a GP referral.
If AT-HM is in your approved care plan and your provider is not progressing the request, ask in writing: Is AT-HM funding approved in my care plan? What tier applies? What is the timeline? If you don't receive a clear answer in 5 business days, call OPAN on 1800 700 600 for free advocacy.
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This guide is for information only — not legal, medical, or financial advice. Verified against the Aged Care Act 2024 and Aged Care Rules 2025. Check myagedcare.gov.au for current rates and rules.