The Lifetime Support Authority (LSA) will fund necessary and reasonable Assistive Technology to help you with tasks that are more difficult as a result of your Motor Vehicle Injury.

This may include Assistive Technology that:

  • gives you independence
  • gives you more opportunities to participate at home, in the community and work/school tasks
  • improves your mobility
  • helps you communicate better
  • eases pain and discomfort
  • keeps you healthy
  • helps you get back to work, educational or leisure activities
    helps keep you, your family and carer safe.

All Assistive Technology that you require must be ‘prescribed’ by an Appropriately Qualified health professional. The health professional will make recommendations based on an assessment of your needs. They will discuss your needs and whether you agree that the Assistive Technology will be helpful for you.

If you are in hospital, you can discuss your Assistive Technology needs with your treating team. Once you are home, your Assistive Technology can be reviewed as your needs change. You can speak with your Service Planner or treating clinicians to discuss your Assistive Technology needs.

As per the Lifetime Support Scheme (LSS) Rules, the LSA will fund Assistive Technology that you need as a result of your Motor Vehicle Injury. Assistive Technology can range from simple to very complex. Some examples of Assistive Technology to support your Motor Vehicle Injury may include:

  • off the shelf items such as dressing aids, kitchen, and bathroom aids, walking frames
  • customised items such as wheelchairs, Prosthetic and Orthotic devices
  • medical aids, Continence equipment and supplies, and respiratory Assistive Technology
  • general household and personal items may be funded when the need for a different general household or personal item is directly related to the Motor Vehicle Injury, for example, beds and mattresses. The LSA will fund a bed or mattress if you need a new one with particular features because of your Motor Vehicle Injury. You may have to contribute to the cost of the bed or mattress depending on the age and condition of your existing bed
  • information, communication, and Assistive Technology
  • environmental control Assistive Technology
  • pressure care Assistive Technology
  • orthosis and medical footwear.

If you have been prescribed Assistive Technology to increase your fitness by an appropriately qualified health practitioner, then the LSA may fund it. The LSA will need to be given reasons why the Assistive Technology is needed in terms of your Motor Vehicle Injury and what other options have been considered.

The LSA will not fund Assistive Technology that you are able to use elsewhere such as at a gym, or that you use only in one place, such as in a physiotherapist’s room.

The LSA will fund the necessary and reasonable Assistive Technology or modifications to Assistive Technology you already have so that you can get back to a recreational activity that:

  • you did before the Motor Vehicle Accident
  • you want to do as a substitute for something you did before the Motor Vehicle Accident
  • is developmentally appropriate and you would like to do now.

The LSA will fund maintenance and repairs to Assistive Technology that becomes damaged due to ordinary wear and tear, as well as routine maintenance and adjustments where your needs change.

The LSA will fund the necessary and reasonable cost of upgrading or modifying existing household or leisure Assistive Technology that you used before the Motor Vehicle Injury to enable you to access that Assistive Technology again following your injury.

The LSA will consider replacement of an Assistive Technology item if it is necessary and reasonable when:

  • you still require the Assistive Technology
  • your needs have changed due to growth, change in function (and modification is not feasible)
  • replacement is due to age of Assistive Technology and/or normal wear & tear.

Your needs and circumstances will be reviewed regularly to ensure you are receiving the Assistive Technology you need. If your goals or needs change, speak to your Service Planner.

For more information, please contact your Service Planner  or the Lifetime Support Authority.