Support at Home funding for mobility equipment
The money for equipment is separate from the money that pays for care hours
If you or someone you care for is on Support at Home, equipment comes from its own scheme with its own budget. Ordering a shower chair does not use up anyone's hours of help. A lot of families never find that out.
What the AT-HM scheme is
Support at Home replaced the Home Care Packages Program on 1 November 2025. Under it, assistive technology and home modifications are funded through their own scheme, usually shortened to AT-HM.
The government's own examples of what it covers are the things we sell: mobility equipment such as walking sticks, walking frames and wheelchairs, toileting supports such as commodes, and bathing equipment such as shower chairs and non-slip mats.
You are assessed for the scheme as part of your aged care assessment, and that assessment decides which funding tier you are approved for. Funding is generally available for 12 months.
The three funding tiers
These are the assistive technology tiers as published by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.
| Tier | Amount | What it usually means |
|---|---|---|
| Low | Under $500 | Everyday, off the shelf equipment. Many items at this level do not need a separate prescription. |
| Medium | Up to $2,000 | More involved equipment. A health professional may need to prescribe it. |
| High | Up to $15,000, or more if needed | Complex equipment. A prescription and evidence of need are required. |
If the tier you are approved for is not enough for what you need, your provider can ask for a support plan review and give evidence to increase it.
Two things worth knowing before you plan around it
Most items need a contribution from you. AT-HM funding usually does not cover the whole cost. Prescriptions and wraparound services are fully funded and you cannot be asked to contribute to those, but the equipment itself generally carries a participant contribution. Your provider can tell you what yours would be.
Your provider places the order. Providers are responsible for arranging and sourcing AT-HM equipment. So the practical first step is not to order it yourself, it is to talk to your care manager about what you need. If you moved across from a Home Care Package and still have unspent funds, those get used first.
Where SteadWell fits
Almost everything we sell sits in the low tier, and the few larger items sit comfortably in the medium tier. We are a small Australian store and we would rather help you choose the right thing once than sell you three.
Every product page tells you who the product suits and answers the fit question, because that is what usually goes wrong. We set out the weight capacity, the height range and the real measurements, which is also what a care manager needs to write it up.
If your care manager wants to order from us, they can order on our website and pay at checkout, with your address as the delivery address. Any questions, just get in touch.
For care managers and providers
If you source equipment for people on Support at Home, we are set up to make that simple. Your team can order on our website and pay at checkout, with your client’s address as the delivery address. We ship anywhere in Australia, and we handle anything that goes wrong ourselves rather than sending your client back to a manufacturer.
Our product pages carry the specifications you need for a support plan, including weight capacity, seat width and adjustment ranges, taken from the manufacturer's own documentation.
Common questions
Is my equipment paid for in full?
Usually not in full. Most AT-HM items carry a contribution from you. Prescriptions and wraparound services are fully funded. Your provider can tell you the exact figure for your situation.
Does buying equipment use up my care hours?
No. AT-HM funding sits separately from your ongoing services budget, and you cannot use the ongoing services budget to pay for equipment even if there is money left in it.
Do I need a prescription?
For everyday low tier equipment, often not. The government’s AT-HM list shows which items might benefit from one, and your provider can tell you. For more complex items, and for anything above the high tier limit, a prescription from a suitably qualified health professional is required. All home modifications must be prescribed by an occupational therapist.
How long does the funding last?
Generally 12 months. Some people living with an illness that gets worse over time may be allocated a medium or high tier with a 24 month period, and can apply for one further 24 month extension.
What if I am on the NDIS instead?
Different scheme, different rules. We have a separate page explaining how NDIS funding works for mobility aids
Figures and rules on this page are taken from the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing's published guidance on the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications scheme, read on 22 September 2026. Funding amounts are reviewed from time to time. Your provider or care manager can confirm what applies to you.