Our Commitment to Assistive Technology in Aged Care  

We work to improve access to assistive technology for older Australians across the aged care system. Our aged care advocacy is focused on ensuring that assistive technology is recognised as an essential enabler of independence, safety and participation for older people. Our key goals include: 

• Promoting needs-based access to assistive technology so older people can obtain the right equipment at the right time, regardless of where they live or the setting in which they receive care. 

• Ensuring aged care reforms align with Australia’s human rights obligations and support dignity, autonomy and choice for older people. 

• Advocating for sustainable policy settings that support a viable, skilled assistive technology market. 

 Engagement with Government and Committees 

• ATSA is an active member of the National Aged Care Alliance (NACA), where we contribute to national policy discussions and reform efforts across the aged care system. 

• We engage directly with government through regular meetings with the Assistive Technology team within the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. These meetings provide an important forum for sharing sector expertise, raising emerging and systemic issues, and contributing constructively to the design and implementation of aged care reforms that impact assistive technology provision. 

• We regularly develop policy submissions to inform government consultations, reviews and inquiries relating to aged care. Our submissions highlight systemic barriers, propose practical solutions and advocate for policy settings that will improve access to assistive technology for older Australians. You can access our latest submissions here. 

 Our Current Priorities in Aged Care 

Improving the Operation of the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications Scheme under Support at Home 

The Assistive Technology and Home Modifications Scheme commenced rollout on 1 November 2025 as a key component of the Support at Home Program. ATSA continues to advocate for improvements to ensure the scheme works as intended for all stakeholders. Our work focuses on:  

• Helping assistive technology suppliers navigate the new operating environment surrounding the scheme. 

• Supporting older people to understand their rights and entitlements under the scheme. 

• Gathering Feedback from across the sector to identify emerging challenges to inform our engagement with government. 

• Working with, and advocating to Government to secure positive changes to the scheme. 

 Advocating Against Preferred Provider arrangements, Incentives and Kickbacks 

We are also actively advocating against the growing practice of aged care providers offering preferred provider status to assistive technology suppliers in exchange for rebates, commissions or other financial incentives. These arrangements undermine consumer choice, distort competition, and compromise the integrity of needs-based assessment and prescribing. You can access our joint statement on this issue here.  

Share your feedback  

We are unable to assist with individual complaints or provide case-by-case advocacy. We do, however, strongly encourage ATSA members, older people, families, providers and sector stakeholders to share feedback about systemic issues affecting access to assistive technology under the aged care system. We are particularly interested in feedback about policy settings, funding arrangements, market practices or administrative processes that may be creating barriers to timely, appropriate or equitable access to assistive technology for older people. If you would like to provide feedback, please get in touch with our Director of Policy and Advocacy, Lauren Henley. Lauren can be contacted on 0422 098 369, or at lauren.henley@atsa.org.au. 

 

Useful links and resources 

AT-HM Scheme Guidelines 

The AT-HM Scheme Guidelines explain how the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications Scheme operates under Support at Home, including eligibility, funding tiers, approved supports, assessment and prescription requirements, and provider responsibilities.  

AT-HM List 

The AT-HM List sets out the products, equipment and home modifications that eligible Support at Home participants can access through the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications Scheme. It is the key reference for checking what is included, conditionally included, or excluded from AT-HM funding. 

Support at Home Program Manual 

A detailed guide for registered providers on Support at Home rules, procedures and obligations, including how services, care management, funding and provider responsibilities operate.