Occupational therapy through My Aged Care
For older people living at home, and the families and carers who support them. Government funded aged care can cover occupational therapy, equipment and changes around the home. Here is how it works.
What My Aged Care is
My Aged Care is the Australian Government's starting point for aged care. It's where you apply for an aged care assessment, find out what help you're eligible for and look for providers in your area.
Most help at home is now funded through the Support at Home program, which began on 1 November 2025. It replaced Home Care Packages and Short Term Restorative Care. The Commonwealth Home Support Program, which offers entry level help, continues alongside it for now.
How occupational therapy is funded
Under Support at Home, occupational therapy is a clinical support. Clinical supports are fully funded by the government, so you don't pay a contribution towards them, whatever your income. The sessions do come out of your approved budget, so it's worth talking with your provider about including occupational therapy in your care plan.
Equipment and home modifications are funded separately, through the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications scheme. That means you don't have to save up from your quarterly budget to pay for them. You may pay a contribution towards the items themselves, depending on your income and assets, but the occupational therapy assessment and prescription are fully funded.
Why an occupational therapist matters for home changes
Under the scheme, every home modification must be prescribed by an occupational therapist. Many equipment items also need a prescription from a health professional before they can be funded.
We visit you at home, look at how you move around and manage everyday tasks, and talk about what's getting harder. Then we recommend what will make the most difference, and write the prescription your provider needs. That might be:
- grab rails and handrails, inside and outside
- ramps, step changes or a stair lift
- bathroom changes, such as a step free shower
- wider doorways for a walking frame or wheelchair
- equipment such as a shower chair, commode, walking frame or wheelchair
What we can help with
- Home safety assessments and advice to reduce the risk of falls
- Equipment advice, trials and prescriptions
- Home modification assessments and prescriptions
- Therapy to keep doing everyday tasks, such as showering, dressing, cooking and getting out and about
- Short term therapy to rebuild strength and confidence after an illness, a fall or a hospital stay
- Practical advice for family members and carers
Support at Home also has a Restorative Care Pathway. It funds a short burst of intensive allied health or nursing, usually up to 16 weeks, to help you regain function after a change in your health. Your assessor decides whether it suits your situation.
Getting started with My Aged Care
If you don't receive aged care services yet, the first step is an aged care assessment. The assessment is free, and there are three ways to apply:
- Online at myagedcare.gov.au. You'll need your Medicare card, and it takes 15 to 20 minutes. With your permission, someone else can apply for you.
- By phone on 1800 200 422, Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm, and Saturday 10am to 2pm. A family member or friend can join the call.
- In person with an Aged Care Specialist Officer at a Services Australia office. Book on 1800 227 475.
After you apply, an assessor will contact you to arrange the assessment, usually in your home. How soon it happens depends on how urgent your needs are, and is usually within 5 to 40 days. The assessor will talk with you about how you're managing and what would help, and can approve funding for equipment and home modifications at the same time.
If you already have Support at Home
If you'd like us to be your occupational therapist, let your provider or care partner know, and get in touch with us. We'll talk with you both about your goals, what your support plan includes and how sessions will be arranged.
Seeing us while you wait
Waiting for an assessment or for funding to be allocated can take time. If you'd rather not wait, you're welcome to see us privately in the meantime. See fees and cancellations for our rates.
For families and carers
Many people contact us on behalf of a parent, partner or friend. With their permission, you can make the enquiry, come along to appointments and help with decisions. My Aged Care also lets you become a registered supporter, so you can speak with them on the person's behalf. You can set this up when applying for an assessment, or during it.
For aged care providers and care partners
You're welcome to send us a referral online or by email. Choose My Aged Care as the type of referral, and we'll contact the person to talk about their needs and arrange a time to visit. Make a referral.
Information about My Aged Care and Support at Home comes from myagedcare.gov.au and health.gov.au, checked in October 2026. Programs and funding change from time to time, so check with My Aged Care for the latest details.