NDIS Home Modifications For Security & Convenience
NDIS Home modifications are changes to the structure of a person’s home, layout, or fittings so they can be safe in their environment and move around comfortably in areas they frequently use.
Connect2Care is an approved home modifications NDIS provider and can support clients in enhancing and optimising their home environment to promote independence, maximise participation, and ensure safety in their homes.
We work alongside builders and other tradespeople, property owners, landlords, and other key personnel to ensure NDIS home modifications are fit for purpose. We support a range of modifications, from minor adjustments to extensive alterations, such as NDIS-approved bathroom modifications.
Our Occupational Therapists work with clients and their families to identify reasonable and necessary modifications for long-term viability.
NDIS Approved Home Modification
Sanctioned NDIS Home Modifications
The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) uses three levels to assess the complexity of different Assistive Technology requirements.
Home modifications by NDIS guidelines include these points in a plan if:
- Due to the impact of your disability, you or your carers cannot reasonably access frequently used rooms and spaces in your primary residence;
- In its current condition, your primary residence has significant and adverse impacts on the sustainability of current living and care arrangements.
- A suitably qualified Occupational Therapist has performed an assessment and recommended home modifications, considering all alternatives, including the use of equipment.
Our Therapists will ensure we work within the guidelines of any laws and regulations that need to be adhered to when undertaking NDIS home modifications.
Categories of NDIS Home Modifications
Categories of NDIS Home Modifications
The NDIS has divided home modification funding requirements into three categories.
Simple Home Adaptations
These modifications are low in cost and easily accessible to NDIS participants. They include modifications such as grab rails or mounted shower chairs.
Minor NDIS Home Modifications
Minor modifications are non-structural but require experienced professional support to identify and deliver the right solution. The scope of work and associated costs, such as non-structural door widening, are relatively low.
Complex Home Modifications (CHM)
These NDIS home modifications involve structural changes that are more expensive, at higher risk, and where a greater level of certification is necessary. Several areas of a home may have work done, and the results may have a greater impact on the participant’s life.
Visit the NDIS website to find out more about home equipment and support.
NDIS Home Modifications Assessments
The NDIA requires sufficient evidence to decide which Home Modification recommendations are reasonable and necessary to include in a participant’s plan. Home Modifications are the assessments and recommendations by a trained professional regarding elements of a home that can be modified to enable greater access, independence, or safety.
We understand that the volume of Home Modification information the NDIA provides can be complex and overwhelming for our clients. Our Therapists have a deep understanding of NDIS Home Modification requirements. They will interpret and clarify this information to help their clients better understand the nature of the NDIS assessment process.
Our assessments include advice on the scope of the Home Modification NDIS to be assessed, such as access modifications or other modifications for people with disabilities.
Our Range of Home Modification Services
Our Range of Home Modification Services
Connect2Care is approved by the Home Modification NDIS provider. Our Occupational Therapists can assist with modifications to meet your goals and likely future needs. We work with our clients to ensure their home modifications meet their needs and goals to help them with mobility and independence in their homes.
Some of the types of modifications we can assist with are:
- Grab rails in the home or external to the home
- Bathroom Modifications
- Kitchen Modifications
- Ramps
- Door widenings
Our NDIS-approved Therapists are skilled in helping clients with their Assistive Technology and Home Modification needs.
We can also help with COVID-19-specific Assistive Technology such as iPads, laptops, exercise or play equipment, and other items identified as technology that may assist a person in maintaining therapeutic input during a disrupted time.
FAQs
NDIS home modifications can be described as alterations made to your living environment that are customised to your specific needs, improving accessibility and safety. This can include ramps, grab rails, bathroom upgrades, or widened doorways, among others. These modifications can lead to a more independent and comfortable living experience at home.
Your request must align with the NDIS funding criteria for being eligible to NDIS-funded home modifications. It should be demonstrated that the modifications are related to your disability support needs, will facilitate you to pursue your goals, and are effective and beneficial for you.
Moreover, the home modifications should be legal, safe, and provide value for money. You need to provide evidence, such as an assessment from a qualified home modification assessor, and produce written approval from the homeowner or relevant bodies for the NDIS to consider funding the modifications.
The NDIS funds mainly two types of home modifications: minor home modifications, which are non-structural changes costing under $20,000, and complex home modifications, which are structural changes often costing more than $20,000
To request home modifications through your NDIS plan, you must discuss your needs with your planner or support coordinator to include the modifications in your plan goals.
Assessments from qualified professionals and detailed quotes for the proposed work are also needed. Once approved, funding for the modifications will be provided by NDIS as part of your plan.
By assessing your functional needs and recommending changes that enhance safety and independence, an occupational therapist plays a crucial role in the home modification process. Expert reports and detailed specifications are provided by them to guide the design and installation of modifications. Their input facilitates changes that are pragmatic, effective, and customised to your goals.
Home modification costs are determined based on the scope of work, materials, and any professional assessments required. The NDIS funds eligible modifications through your plan, usually after reviewing quotes and supporting documentation. Funding depends on your individual needs and the complexity of the modifications.
Minor home modifications are simple, non-structural changes under $20,000, like installing grab rails or widening doorways. Complex modifications involve structural work exceeding $20,000, such as building ramps or accessible bathrooms, which often require professional assessments and approvals. The level of complexity affects funding and approval processes.
When requesting home modifications through the NDIS, it is essential to obtain detailed quotes from qualified contractors. These quotes help demonstrate the cost and scope of work, which can support the funding request. Accurate quotes ensure transparency and facilitate the approval process.
You can choose your own builder for NDIS-funded home modifications, subject to the condition that they meet specific criteria. You may not need to provide quotes for minor modifications costing under $20,000, but it is advisable to ensure that the builder is licensed and insured. For undertaking complex modifications, generally, you need to get two itemised quotes from licensed builders, and if your funding is agency-managed, the builders should be NDIS-registered.
If you deem it necessary to make changes to your home modifications after completion, you need to contact your NDIS planner or support coordinator to discuss your situation. They can help you ascertain whether additional funding or approvals are required. It is essential to maintain accurate documentation and promptly communicate any issues to ensure smooth adjustments.
