If you have a disability, you may use aids or equipment to support you as you participate in various activities or simply to improve your quality of life.
Although you can purchase these items privately from your own funds, there are a number of equipment schemes in Australia that provide some form of subsidy to eligible applicants.
The federal, state and territory governments, and a range of non-government organisations, fund and operate the majority of equipment schemes available in Australia. The schemes are listed below.
Other services that offer independent living assessments or that allow you to trial independent living aids and equipment before you decide to make a purchase can also be found on the JobAccess web site, using the link below:
National schemes
National equipment schemes are funded by the Australian Government. The primary schemes are:
Rehabilitation Appliances Program and Home Modifications
The Australian Government Department of Veterans’ Affairs provides equipment to eligible veterans, war widows and widowers, and their dependants. See our Related Links for more information.
Australian Hearing Services
Australian Hearing Services provides a full range of hearing services for children and young people up to the age of 21, eligible adults and aged pensioners, and most war veterans. See our Related Links for more information.
Continence Aids Assistance Scheme
The Continence Aids Assistance Scheme offers assistance to people who have permanent and ongoing incontinence as a result of a neurological condition or severe intellectual impairment. See our Related links for more information.
State and territory schemes
The state and territory governments also fund aids and equipment schemes. They are (note that these links will take you out to an external site in a new window):
Australian Capital Territory
New South Wales
Northern Territory
Queensland
South Australia
Tasmania
Victoria
Western Australia