Can You Use Your Support at Home Budget to Buy Equipment?

Yes, you can use your Support at Home budget to purchase a range of everyday equipment and assistive aids that help you live more independently at home. This includes items like recliner chairs, shower rails, walking frames, and much more.

We’ll walk you through what kinds of equipment are typically covered, share real examples of items clients ask about, and explain how to use your funding so nothing goes to waste.

What Counts as Equipment Under the Support at Home Program?

The Support at Home program is designed to help older Australians stay safe, comfortable, and independent in their own homes for as long as possible.

Equipment purchases fall under the assistive technology and home modifications component of the program, which covers a broad range of practical items.

My Aged Care notes that assistive technology includes any device, piece of equipment, or system that helps you carry out daily activities more safely or independently. The key is that the item must relate to your assessed care needs and support your ability to remain living at home.

Your Support at Home coordinator can help confirm whether a specific item is appropriate to fund through your budget.

Can You Buy a Recliner Chair With Your Support at Home Budget?

This is a very common question, and one our own clients often ask. The short answer is: yes, in many cases, a recliner chair can be funded through your Support at Home budget.

A recliner chair is not simply a comfort item. For many older Australians, it serves a genuine functional purpose:

The item needs to be linked to your care goals and identified as part of your support plan. Your coordinator can help document the clinical or functional reason for the purchase, which is the key step in getting it approved.

What Other Equipment Can Be Funded Through Support at Home?

The range of equipment that may be funded is broader than most people expect.

Below are common categories and examples of items that clients regularly purchase using their Support at Home budget.

This is not an all-inclusive list. If there is a specific item you rely on or feel you need, it is worth raising with your coordinator to explore whether it can be funded.

How Does the Approval Process Work?

Purchasing equipment through your Support at Home budget follows a straightforward process, though the exact steps may vary depending on your provider and your individual support plan.

Identify the need: You or a family member notices a gap, whether that is difficulty standing from a low chair, slipping in the shower, or struggling with everyday tasks.

Speak to your coordinator: Raise the item with your Support at Home coordinator. They will assess whether the equipment aligns with your care goals.

Get a recommendation if needed: For some items, particularly higher-cost ones, a recommendation from a physiotherapist or occupational therapist (OT) may strengthen the case for funding.

Confirm the budget: Your coordinator checks whether your current budget allocation can cover the cost or whether an adjustment is needed.

Purchase and document: The equipment is sourced, and the purchase is recorded against your budget.

The process is designed to be practical and supportive, not bureaucratic. A good coordinator will guide you through it without making it feel overwhelming.

Does the Equipment Need to Be Assessed by a Therapist First?

Not always. For lower-cost, lower-risk items such as a grab rail or a shower chair, a coordinator can often facilitate the purchase without a formal therapy assessment.

However, for higher-cost equipment or where your needs are more complex, involving an occupational therapist (OT) is strongly recommended.

An OT can assess your home environment, identify the most appropriate equipment for your specific situation, and provide a written recommendation that supports the funding decision. This step protects you and ensures you receive the right item rather than one that may not suit your needs.

If you do not already have an OT involved in your care, your Support at Home coordinator can arrange a referral.

What Happens to the Equipment if Your Needs Change?

This is a practical question worth thinking through before making a significant purchase. In most cases, equipment funded through Support at Home is provided for your ongoing personal use.

If your needs change, your coordinator can review your plan and assess whether a different item would be more appropriate going forward.

For higher-cost assistive technology items, the Australian Government’s Assistive Technology and Home Modifications Scheme provides additional support options. You can find information about this scheme at myagedcare.gov.au.

Making the Most of Your Budget

Your Support at Home budget exists to improve your quality of life and help you remain safely at home.

Equipment purchases are a legitimate and often underused part of that funding. Many clients do not realise they can ask, or they feel uncertain about whether something will be approved.

At Ideally Home Care, we encourage clients to bring these questions to us directly. Whether it is a recliner chair, a shower rail, or a reaching tool for the kitchen, we will work through it with you honestly and practically.

Our role is to help you get the most out of your funding, not just manage it on your behalf.