Older people with disability

Clients will require an external prescriber to complete an assessment and prescription of equipment or home modifications through the Equipment Program.

To assist with the prescription of equipment please make sure that:

• the client meets key approval criteria for equipment or home modifications,
• the items required are listed on the relevant in-scope list, and
• the items required are being assessed by the appropriate prescriber.

Prescriptions should be provided to the Equipment Program with all required documentation. We have developed a Step by Step Guide to Accessing the Equipment Program (DOCX 178.8 KB) to assist prescribers.

Available Equipment and Home Modifications

Available equipment and home modification options are listed on our in scope lists:

• Equipment Program equipment in scope list (XLSX 139.8 KB)
• Home Modification in scope list (XLSX 81.5 KB)

The Equipment Item Types and Definitions page lists definitions for each item.

Key Approval Criteria

Our decision on whether a client is eligible for equipment or home modifications through the Equipment Program is based on the relevant key approval criteria:

• Key approval criteria for equipment
• Key approval criteria for home modifications

Item-specific Eligibility Criteria and Screening Tools

Some items have specific criteria that must be met in addition to the key approval criteria. For some of these items, a screening tool must also be completed by an approved allied health professional. Use of the screening tool ensures all aspects of eligibility criteria have been met.

To review if an item has specific eligibility criteria or requires a screening tool, please refer to Equipment Program Eligibility Documents.

For all required and recommended documents, please review the second tab on the relevant in scope list.

Submitting an equipment or home modification request

Assessment

Equipment and home modification needs must be assessed by a suitably qualified allied health professional who will submit all documentation direct to the Equipment Program. The Equipment and Home Modification in-scope lists identify which approved prescriber can prescribe for each item type.

A number of information documents have been developed to support approved prescribers to assess equipment and home modifications to suit individual needs.

These can be found at Equipment Program - Prescribing Equipment - by Document Type

Submitting a request for Equipment or Home Modification

Equipment and home modifications are ordered and supplied in multiple ways depending on the item or home modification type.

Category 1 – Basic Equipment Ordering

Equipment can be requested through the Equipment Program via the ALTER Online Catalogue, which displays a broad range of quality equipment that is readily available from their warehouse.

Alternatively, you can complete an  Equipment Request Form  (DOCX 149.3 KB)

Home Modifications should be requested using the Home Modification Request and Agreement Form (DOCX 97.2 KB)

When requesting a Home Modification, please ensure the client and homeowner read, understand and accept the Terms and Conditions of Installation of Home Modifications (DOCX 104.3 KB) and the Information for Provision of Home Modifications (DOCX 60.2 KB)

Category 2 – Complex or Customised Equipment Ordering

Along with the above equipment or home modification request form, all Category 2 items must also be submitted with:

• Delegate Approval Request Form (DOCX 172.7 KB) ,
• Risk Rating and Priority Scoring Form   (DOCX 126.3 KB) , or for Communication devices Priority Scoring Communication and Assistive Technology  (DOCX 170.8 KB) . Prescribers can refer to the Priority Score Guidelines Adults Equipment (DOC 137.5 KB) for understanding how to score the Risk Rating and Priority Scoring Form.
• All required documents outlined in the in-scope list such as Criteria Screening Tool or specification form.

Prescribers can use the following checklists to assist with their submissions to the Equipment Program:

• Checklist For Prescribers Submitting Equipment Requests (DOCX 165.7 KB)
• Checklist For Prescribers Submitting Home Modification Requests (DOCX 168.1 KB)

Please see further information in the Ordering Section, to complete your request.

Follow Up

A follow up after equipment is provided is mandatory to make sure that the item issued to a person meets their needs and can be used appropriately and safely. The follow up may be completed by phone or in person, depending on the complexity of the item provided.

Review