NDIS & Aged Care Home Modifications

Frequently Asked Questions

• What are home modifications and why are they needed?

  Changes to your home that make it safer, more comfortable or easier to move about are called home modifications. These might decrease falls, provide independence and make daily routines easier.

  Home modifications are considered reasonable and necessary under the NDIS if they support your daily living in your own home.

  They are a big part of ensuring safety and accessibility for elderly clients with Support at Home Packages. 

• What is the difference between minor and complex home modifications?

  NDIS and Support at Home minor home modifications are small, low-cost changes such as grab rails, handrails, lever taps or threshold ramps. They’re quick to install and can make an immediate difference to your comfort and safety.

  NDIS and Support at Home complex home modifications are larger, structural projects such as ramps, hoists, accessible bathrooms, widened doorways. These require detailed assessment and reporting by an Occupational Therapist, as well as input from builders.

• Do I need an Occupational Therapist to assess modifications?

  Yes. The NDIS and Support at Home guidelines require a qualified Occupational Therapist to carry out an NDIS home modifications assessment before funding is approved.

  Your OT ensures that the recommendations are safe, practical and designed around your personal goals.

  At Total Health Choice, our NDIS approved Occupational Therapists complete your assessment, prepare the required documentation, and coordinate with builders and support coordinators to make the whole process simple and stress-free.

• What role does an OT play in the home modifications process?

  Your NDIS and Aged Care Occupational Therapist is your main point of contact throughout the process. They’ll visit your home, talk about your goals, assess your environment and design practical solutions that suit your daily life.

  They also prepare your detailed report for Support and Home and Scope of Works for NDIS review, help organise builder quotes, and check in after the work is completed to make sure everything is safe, comfortable and works as intended.

• How do you determine which modifications are reasonable and necessary?

  The NDIS uses the term reasonable and necessary to describe supports that genuinely improve independence, safety or quality of life.

  Our NDIS home modifications providers assess your needs to determine what will make the biggest difference to your daily function and long-term wellbeing.

  Recommendations must directly relate to your disability and represent good value for money. We work closely with you and your Support Coordinator to make sure every proposal is practical, achievable and focused on your goals.

  Under the Support at Home Aged, the approval is based on their level of package and funding level under the AT-HM scheme. Three funding tiers (low, medium, high) apply, based on assessed needs. 

• How do I request home modifications under my NDIS plan?

  You can request NDIS home modifications through your Support Coordinator, Local Area Coordinator (LAC), or by contacting our friendly team directly via our NDIS page.

  We’ll guide you through every step, from your initial assessment to preparing reports and submitting your application to the NDIS for approval.

• Are quotes or builder estimates required for home modification funding?

  Yes. For NDIS complex home modifications, builder quotes or cost estimates are usually required before the NDIS can approve funding.

  Your Occupational Therapist will help you gather accurate quotes that meet the NDIS home modifications price guide, and we’ll coordinate with experienced builders to make sure everything is clear, transparent and compliant.

• Can I choose my own builder or tradesperson?

  Yes. You can choose your own builder as long as they’re qualified and experienced in NDIS home modifications.

  Alternatively, we can connect you with safe, reliable and quality NDIS home modifications providers in Melbourne.

  Either way, our team will collaborate with your chosen tradespeople to make sure everything runs smoothly from start to finish.

• What happens after the modifications are completed?

  Once your modifications are finished, your Occupational Therapist will return to your home to make sure everything is safe, functional and meets your goals.

  They’ll check that any new equipment is set up correctly and ensure you and your carers feel confident using it.

  If you need extra training or adjustments, we’ll organise that too — our goal is for you to feel completely comfortable and supported in your space.

• What factors affect how long a home modification project takes?

  The timeline depends on how long the NDIS takes to approve the application and the type of work and how complex it is.

  • NDIS minor home modifications can often be completed within a few weeks.
  • NDIS complex home modifications may take a few months, as they require detailed assessments, builder quotes, NDIS approval and construction time.

  Our team keeps you informed from start to finish, providing clear timelines and regular updates so you always know what’s happening and when.