Home Modifications;
supporting you to be safe and independent at home.

Home Modifications are changes to the structure, layout, or fittings of your home so you can safely access it and move around comfortably.

Home Modifications can range from small (minor) to big (major).

Minor Home Modifications

Minor modifications may include things like grab rails, a handheld shower hose or a magnetic door catch.

Major Home Modifications

Major modifications may include structural changes, such as changing the layout of a bathroom to make it accessible or widening a doorway.

Home Modifications can support you to access your home and live as independently and safely as possible. If you need Home Modifications as a result of your Motor Vehicle Injury, the Lifetime Support Authority (LSA) can arrange a suitably qualified Occupational Therapist to meet with you to discuss how you might benefit from Home Modifications and whether these modifications are feasible.

Home Modifications may assist you to access the doors, the bathroom, your bedroom, or kitchen and to keep you doing things you have always done.

As per the Lifetime Support Scheme (LSS) Rules (Part 10), the LSA will fund necessary and reasonable modifications to your home that are required as a direct result of your Motor Vehicle Injury.

Home Modifications can be a complicated area and the LSA will consider such things as:

  • your short-term and long-term needs as well as reasonable alternatives for independence and access
  • who owns the property, and anything about the property that would make it difficult to modify
  • the scale and estimated cost
  • permission from the owner or body corporate
  • planning regulations and building permits
  • Australian Standards and any other building regulations
  • length of a lease of a rental property
  • length of time you expect to live in the property
  • the LSA can also approve temporary or staged modifications, depending on your individual circumstances.

Minor Home Modifications tend to be completed much quicker than major Home Modifications and will often be undertaken prior to your discharge home. Major Home Modifications will take longer to complete and the time it takes will be dependent on:

  • how quickly plans are agreed upon by all involved parties, including the local council
  • how soon a builder is engaged and contracts are signed
  • the availability of all involved parties, including the builder
  • other requirements (such as town planning and building permits).

The LSA will not fund Home Modifications:

  • that are not approved
  • required as the result of a condition that existed before the Motor Vehicle Injury or which is not a result of the Motor Vehicle Injury
  • that have not been approved by the owner or other authority
  • where the house is not suitable to be modified and you buy or rent it regardless.

The LSA will also not fund:

  • the cost of more than one report, for example a building inspection
  • the cost of repairs or maintenance described in a report. For example, strata, building or pest reports
  • fees for strata/ bodies corporate, council or water rates
  • building or constructing any pools, spas, or aqua therapy facilities
  • home insurance
  • loss of value to your home as a result of the Home Modifications
  • removal of Home Modifications
  • normal household items, for example furniture or white goods, which are not related to your needs as a result of the Motor Vehicle Injury, unless these require removal for completion of works. In this case, the LSA will fund the replacement of like for like items.

If you chose to fund additional works outside of the agreed plans, or higher cost finishes for aesthetic reasons, these can be quoted separately for you to self-fund by co-contributing to the cost of the modifications.

In some instances, it may not be possible to modify your home due to the type of Motor Vehicle Injury. The design or condition of your home may also affect the ability to modify your home, as your long-term needs may not be met.

If this is the case, we may fund the necessary and reasonable cost for you to relocate to another property. This includes:

  • advertising costs
  • agents’ fees
  • legal and conveyancing fees
  • stamp duty
  • removal costs.

The LSA will not fund these costs if you decide to move house for reasons unrelated to your Motor Vehicle Injury.

When meeting with an Occupational Therapist, they will anticipate your short and long term needs for a safe and accessible home. However, we understand things can change. Contact your Service Planner or Occupational Therapist to discuss any concerns or questions.

For more information, please contact your Service Planner.