• 1.1This Part applies in relation to aids and appliances referred to in subsection 4(1) of the Act.
  • 1.2The LSA will pay for Assistive Technology for Participants where it is assessed as necessary and reasonable to meet a TCS need in relation to the Motor Vehicle Injury.
  • 1.3Assistive Technology may be provided to:
    • 1.3.1sustain or increase autonomy;
    • 1.3.2sustain or increase participation in community and economic life;
    • 1.3.3improve mobility;
    • 1.3.4facilitate communication;
    • 1.3.5relieve pain or discomfort;
    • 1.3.6maintain health or prevent ill-health;
    • 1.3.7sustain or facilitate a return to vocational, educational, or leisure activities; or
    • 1.3.8increase the safety of the Participant, their Family, carers or Service Providers.

  • 2.1Assistive Technology prescription is the process of assessing a Participant's needs, selecting, trialling, modifying, evaluating and eliminating options to determine the most appropriate Assistive Technology item(s). Assistive Technology prescription is more detailed than a referral for provision or a needs assessment.

For example,

  • the medical specialist refers a Participant for a wheelchair assessment.
  • the Assistive Technology prescriber (such as an occupational therapist working at a seating clinic) prescribes the specifications for the Participant’s wheelchair.
  • 2.2Any proposal for Assistive Technology must be developed in consultation with the LSA.
  • 2.3Any prescriptions for Assistive Technology, must be provided to the LSA for approval, consistent with the requirements under Rule 9 of this Part. The Assistive Technology must be prescribed by a health professional or team of professionals Appropriately Qualified in prescribing that item. The level of experience required to prescribe the item is determined by the complexity of the item and the Participant’s abilities and care needs.
  • 2.4The prescription must be accompanied by the following information:
    • 2.4.1completion of the LSA Assistive Technology prescription form available on the LSA website;
    • 2.4.2identification of the specific model, type, costs and where relevant, maintenance and servicing requirements;
    • 2.4.3if required by the LSA, a contingency plan for emergency repairs or replacement of the item to ensure continued safety of the Participant;
    • 2.4.4confirmation In Writing that the Participant or Decision Maker or both, as the case may require, has been consulted and agrees with the provision of the proposed Assistive Technology and contingency plan (where relevant);
    • 2.4.5an implementation plan, including any associated training requirements, to ensure appropriate and safe use by the Participant or other users; and
    • 2.4.6detailed specifications and corresponding supplier quote for the prescription of the customised item.

  • 3.1Before Assistive Technology is prescribed, it should be assessed as more appropriate than alternative therapies, treatments or management options.
  • 3.2The LSA will pay the necessary and reasonable cost of Assistive Technology if the LSA is satisfied that:
    • 3.2.1the Participant's need for the item has been assessed by reference to their abilities and needs as related to the Motor Vehicle Injury;
    • 3.2.2the item has been successfully trialled, where possible, and the Participant is able to safely use the item within the intended environment of use;
    • 3.2.3where a cost is involved for a trial of the item, it must be approved by the LSA before commencement; and
    • 3.2.4the prescribed item is consistent with the Participant’s Discharge Plan or MyPlan.
  • 3.3Once an Assistive Technology recommendation has been approved, the LSA will order the item from the LSA contracted supplier in the first instance or other suppliers as required.

  • 4.1The LSA is not responsible for the provision or replacement of Assistive Technology if, in the opinion of the LSA, the item is considered to be a general household or leisure item,

For example, a vacuum cleaner.

However, the LSA may consider the initial purchase where the item is required for therapeutic or disability management purposes and/or a co-contribution for future replacement.

  • 4.2The LSA may pay for any modification to the item or any additional features that are considered necessary and reasonable due to the Motor Vehicle Injury.

For example, extension handle for an existing vacuum cleaner.

  • 5.1Participants may be required to contribute to the cost of Assistive Technology in cases where the item is only partially related to the Participant's Motor Vehicle Injury, or the item requested is beyond what the LSA considers to be necessary and reasonable in relation to the Participant’s Motor Vehicle Injury.
  • 5.2Where the Participant had the item prior to the Motor Vehicle Injury, the LSA will fund necessary and reasonable upgrade or replacement costs of the Assistive Technology on a once-off basis to meet the Participant’s need due to the Motor Vehicle Injury. Subsequent upgrades or replacements will be at the Participant’s expense. The LSA may fund any additional costs of the subsequent upgrade or replacement if the LSA considers it necessary and reasonable.

  • 6.1Assistive Technology funded by the LSA, either directly or through an agreement, is the property of the Participant unless otherwise provided for in an agreement between the LSA and the Participant, or the Assistive Technology is under a hire agreement with a third party.
  • 6.2Items subject to an agreement between the LSA and the Participant or a hire agreement with a third party are made available to the Participant for their sole use for as long as the Participant needs the item, however, it must be returned when no longer necessary, in accordance with the relevant agreement.

  • 7.1The LSA will pay for the necessary and reasonable cost of upgrading or modifying items that were owned by a Participant prior to the Motor Vehicle Accident, to enable the Participant to access the item if considered by the LSA to be necessary and reasonable.
  • 7.2In circumstances where the cost of modification of the existing item exceeds the cost of purchase, and the item is necessary and reasonable, the LSA may fund the purchase of the new item at its discretion.
  • 7.3Where a household or leisure item previously modified by the LSA needs to be replaced due to normal wear and tear, the LSA will pay for the replacement of any injury-specific modifications or extras that cannot be transferred from that old item.

For example, a modified tennis racquet.

  • 8.1The LSA may require the Participant or Decision Maker or both, as the case may require, to enter into an agreement that details the conditions of use, maintenance, insurance and ownership of Assistive Technology.
  • 8.2The Participant or Decision Maker or both, as the case may require, are responsible for the everyday care and maintenance of the Assistive Technology and for ensuring it is kept in safe working order.
  • 8.3The LSA will pay for the cost of Assistive technology relating to:
    • 8.3.1maintenance and repairs resulting from normal wear and tear, if the Assistive Technology is funded by the LSA;
    • 8.3.2routine maintenance as recommended by the manufacturer or to meet industry standards;
    • 8.3.3adjustments due to growth, or other change in the Participant’s abilities and need; and
    • 8.3.4repairs where the LSA has accepted partial liability for the purchase or modification of Assistive Technology, consistent with the level of the LSA's contribution to the purchase or modification of the item.
  • 8.4The LSA will replace necessary and reasonable Assistive Technology worn out as a result of normal use, if the LSA considers the item to be necessary and reasonable for the Participant.

  • 9.1In preparation for inpatient discharge, the LSA may allow a hospital/ Rehabilitation facility to order readily available Assistive Technology from the LSA contracted provider to facilitate discharge.
  • 9.2The prescription must be made in accordance with the requirement that Assistive Technology must be necessary and reasonable.
  • 9.3The prescriber must have the appropriate training to prescribe the item(s).
  • 9.4The LSA must be notified where prescriptions have occurred.

  • 10.1The LSA will provide continence products that relate to a continence need caused by the Motor Vehicle Injury.
  • 10.2The prescription of continence products must be completed by a medical practitioner or registered nurse Appropriately Qualified for continence prescription. The continence prescription should include the continence product, the frequency of provision as per the recommended usage levels and the period of time for which the prescription applies. A review date based on the Participant’s needs should be set at the time of each prescription.
  • 10.3The LSA may appoint suppliers to provide approved continence products directly to the Participant. In these circumstances a Participant may order continence products as they are needed, providing the orders are within the usage recommended in the continence prescription. If an item is ordered by a Participant or Decision Maker or both, as the case may require, that is outside the prescribed list or the quantity recommended, the continence supplier will need to seek approval prior to supplying the item. Clinically appropriate product substitutions may be ordered without prior approval if the prescribed item is unavailable at the time of ordering.
  • 10.4The LSA will not pay for continence products where the Participant is an inpatient, or where a bed fee includes the provision of these products.

  • 11.1The LSA funds the necessary and reasonable cost or contribution to the cost of the purchase of a bed/ mattress (and linen) where the need for the replacement bed/ mattress is due to the Participant's Motor Vehicle Injury.
  • 11.2In deciding whether the LSA funds the total cost of a bed/ mattress or, to determine the extent of contribution towards the reasonable cost of a bed/ mattress, the LSA may consider:
    • 11.2.1the age of the Participant's current bed/ mattress;
    • 11.2.2the condition of the Participant's current bed/ mattress;
    • 11.2.3the extent to which the need for a new bed/ mattress is related to the Motor Vehicle Injury;
    • 11.2.4whether the Participant has obstructive sleep apnoea resulting from the Motor Vehicle Injury; or
    • 11.2.5work, health and safety considerations for provision of care related to the Motor Vehicle Injury.
  • 11.3Where the LSA has previously supplied a bed/ mattress and a replacement is required, the LSA will consider funding or co-contribution it at its discretion.
  • 11.4The LSA will not pay for antique bed replacements or repairs, waterbeds or waterbed heaters.

  • 12.1The LSA will pay for electronic Assistive Technology recommended by an Appropriately Qualified professional with relevant experience including modifications to electronic Assistive Technology that, in the opinion of the LSA, are required as a direct result of the Motor Vehicle Injury and is considered necessary and reasonable.
  • 12.2Where a Participant has a substantially reduced capacity for speech, writing or reading as a direct result of their Motor Vehicle Injury, the LSA will pay for or contribute to the cost of augmentative and alternative communication devices or communication software for mainstream personal devices.
  • 12.3The LSA will pay for, or contribute to the cost of, a mainstream personal communication device, when the Participant does not currently own or have access to a mainstream personal communication device, and the need is directly related to the Motor Vehicle Injury.
  • 12.4The LSA will pay for an upgrade to a Participant’s own mainstream personal device when it is necessary and reasonable to assist with independent communication, or cognitive support strategies, where the need is directly related to the Motor Vehicle Injury.
  • 12.5The LSA may also pay for, or contribute to, a mainstream personal device, including computer Assistive Technology, to enable the Participant to return to work or for a vocational retraining or education program.

For example, working remotely until they can access their workplace.

  • 12.6The LSA may also provide, or contribute to, a mainstream personal device to increase a Participant’s functional autonomy in activities of daily living, where the Participant:
    • 12.6.1lives in a remote location;
    • 12.6.2has a severe physical or cognitive impairment; or
    • 12.6.3has a condition that inhibits the Participant’s access to the community; or
    • 12.6.4has a condition that inhibits the Participant’s social inclusion.
  • 12.7The LSA may pay for, or contribute to, the necessary and reasonable cost of internet access, where it is not otherwise available to the Participant, or the additional costs of upgrading, if the current service is inadequate in meeting the Participant’s needs related to the Motor Vehicle Injury:
    • 12.7.1during a hospital inpatient stay when the Participant is temporarily unable to make use of their regular internet access (unless this is provided by the hospital);
    • 12.7.2to access a telerehabilitation program/ telemedicine;
    • 12.7.3to access a short-term return to work program;
    • 12.7.4 for an educational program; or
    • 12.7.5where it demonstrably reduces reliance on support or attendant care services.
  • 12.8Where the LSA has previously supplied a mainstream personal device and a replacement is required, the LSA will consider funding or co-contributing at its discretion.

  • 13.1The LSA will pay for the necessary and reasonable cost of technology for the purpose of environmental control, where the need for environmental control is directly related to the Motor Vehicle Injuries. This includes technology that requires physical or structural modification to the Participant’s home, which is outlined in Part 10 of these Rules.

  • 14.1The LSA will pay for the necessary and reasonable cost of pressure care Assistive Technology where a Participant has been assessed as being at risk of pressure injury development or currently has a pressure injury, and this risk is directly related to their Motor Vehicle Injury.

  • 15.1The LSA will pay for the necessary and reasonable cost, including the replacement cost, of wheelchairs and other mobility aids to enable Participants to safely access their home, their workplace and the community.
  • 15.2The LSA will pay for positioning and seated mobility Assistive Technology when there is a Motor Vehicle Injury related need to increase the Participant’s capacity or safety to participate in activities such as: accessing the community, eating and drinking, sleeping, showering, toileting, study, travel by car, sitting or mobilising, and communicating.

  • 16.1The LSA will pay for, or co-contribute to the necessary and reasonable cost, including the replacement cost, of orthoses, specialist footwear and walking aids to enable Participants to safely access their home, their workplace and the community.
  • 16.2The LSA may pay for or co-contribute to prescribed mainstream footwear, in lieu of specialist footwear, if the item is assessed as being necessary and reasonable.

  • 17.1The LSA will pay for the necessary and reasonable cost of respiratory Assistive Technology. Types of respiratory Assistive Technology may include:
    • 17.1.1invasive ventilation (tracheostomy);
    • 17.1.2non-invasive ventilation; and
    • 17.1.3associated electro-medical Assistive Technology and supplies.
  • 17.2The LSA may appoint a supplier to provide approved ventilation, tracheostomy or another ostomy Assistive Technology directly to the Participant.
  • 17.3In these circumstances a Participant or Decision Maker or both, as the case may require, may order supplies as they are needed, providing the orders are within the usage recommended in the Assistive Technology prescription. If an item is ordered by a Participant or Decision Maker or both, as the case may require, that is outside the prescribed list or the quantity recommended, the Assistive Technology supplier is required to seek approval prior to supplying the item.

  • 18.1The LSA may pay for, or co-contribute to, the necessary and reasonable costs of exercise and fitness Assistive Technology when the Assistive Technology is prescribed by an Appropriately Qualified health professional and is directly related to the Motor Vehicle Injury and the LSA considers it to be necessary and reasonable. Justification should be provided as to why the exercise and fitness Assistive Technology is required and what other options have been considered and discounted, such as a gym membership.
  • 18.2To determine whether the costs are necessary and reasonable the LSA may require that:
    • 18.2.1the Assistive Technology is hired while the Participant trials the activity; and
    • 18.2.2the purchase of exercise or fitness Assistive Technology only occurs once a successful trial has taken place and the Participant has demonstrated commitment through regular use over a period of time.

  • 19.1The LSA may pay for, or co-contribute to, the necessary and reasonable cost of specialised Assistive Technology or adaptations to Assistive Technology, to:
    • 19.1.1return a Participant to a pre-accident recreational activity;
    • 19.1.2substitute a pre-accident recreational activity for a new recreational activity; or
    • 19.1.3to commence a developmentally appropriate activity.
  • 19.2For the purposes of Rule 19.1 under this Part, the LSA will consider the following factors in making its decision:
    • 19.2.1age of the Participant;
    • 19.2.2pre-accident activities;
    • 19.2.3demonstrated history of commitment to Rehabilitation and other recreational pursuits;
    • 19.2.4recreational or leisure Assistive Technology that the LSA has previously funded.

  • 20.1The LSA will not pay for:
    • 20.1.1the replacement of items funded by the LSA and then on-sold by the Participant or another person, unless otherwise agreed by the LSA as the item is considered to be no longer appropriate for the Participant’s needs; or

For example, a wheelchair that the Participant has outgrown.

    • 20.1.2the purchase of items that the Participant had funded prior to the Motor Vehicle Accident (e.g. mainstream personal devices), unless otherwise provided for under this Part and considered necessary and reasonable; or
    • 20.1.3the replacement of items funded by the LSA, if the replacement is required due to neglect, abuse or misuse; or
    • 20.1.4items if the item requested by the Participant or Decision Maker or both, as the case may require, is considered to be more expensive than an item assessed to meet the Participant’s identified needs unless the difference is paid through co-contribution by the Participant; or
    • 20.1.5the purchase of upgrades or accessories to the item that are not, as assessed by the LSA, necessary and reasonable in relation to the Motor Vehicle Injury; (e.g. flashing castor wheels, decals, mag wheels); or
    • 20.1.6the provision of an item if the item is included in a bed fee for Participants who are inpatients or receiving residential care (e.g. continence items); or
    • 20.1.7Assistive Technology that is available for use in another setting (such as a gymnasium) that is appropriate for the Participant to access; or
    • 20.1.8items that are used by the Participant solely in other environments (e.g. physiotherapists’ rooms); or
    • 20.1.9the replacement or upgrade of Assistive Technology unless directly related to the Motor Vehicle Injury; or
    • 20.1.10antique bed, waterbeds or waterbed heaters; or
    • 20.1.11repair or maintenance of items that have been previously funded by the LSA in the following circumstances:
      • 20.1.11.1if the LSA has funded a replacement item for the Participant; or
      • 20.1.11.2the item is no longer considered necessary and reasonable by the LSA; or
      • 20.1.11.3if the item has been damaged through lack of reasonable care, misuse or neglect; or
      • 20.1.11.4antique bed, waterbeds or waterbed heaters.
Page last updated: 16 September 2022