Occupational Therapy Assistive Technology Assessments

Assistive Technology Occupational Therapy in Melbourne & Western Sydney

Assistive technology (AT) refers to equipment, devices, software, and systems that help participants perform tasks they would otherwise find difficult or impossible. From simple aids like adapted cutlery and grab rails through to complex powered wheelchairs and communication devices, the right AT can make a significant difference to independence, participation, and quality of life.

Many items of assistive technology funded through the NDIS or Support at Home need advice or a prescription from a suitably qualified practitioner such as an occupational therapist, depending on the item, its cost and its risk. The OT's role is to understand the participant's goals and functional needs, trial appropriate equipment, and prepare the evidence that funding bodies use when they consider the request. The funding body makes the decision; an OT recommendation does not guarantee approval.

What an Occupational Therapy Assistive Technology Assessment Looks At

An occupational therapy assistive technology assessment starts with the activity that is difficult, not with a product. During a visit at home, the OT looks at:

• The tasks the participant wants to manage, such as showering, getting in and out of bed, preparing meals or moving between rooms
• How the person moves, sits, reaches and grips, and where assistance is currently needed
• The home itself: doorways, floor surfaces, steps, bathroom layout and storage space
• Equipment already in the home, and whether it still fits the person and the task
• Who else is involved, such as family, carers or support workers, and how they will use the equipment safely

If you are weighing up smaller items before a visit, our guide to occupational therapy equipment for home has a checklist of questions to ask before buying.

Occupational Therapy Mobility Assessments

An occupational therapy mobility assessment looks at how a person gets around the home and community, and what equipment or changes would make that safer. It often forms part of an assistive technology assessment and can cover:

• Walking indoors and outdoors, including steps, ramps and uneven surfaces
• Transfers: bed, chair, toilet, shower and car
• Whether a walking aid, four-wheel walker, manual or powered wheelchair or mobility scooter suits the person, the home and their routine
• Seating and positioning for people who spend long periods sitting

Where mobility is limited by the layout of the home rather than the equipment, the OT may recommend home modifications such as rails or ramps. For how mobility fits with showering, dressing and other self-care tasks, see our activities of daily living assessments. Vehicle modifications and driving assessments are not part of our service; the OT can suggest where to seek them.

Types of Assistive Technology We Prescribe

Our occupational therapists assess and prescribe across all major AT categories:

• Mobility aids - manual and powered wheelchairs, walking frames, four-wheel walkers, mobility scooters, transfer equipment
• Personal care equipment - shower chairs, commodes, raised toilet seats, over-toilet frames, dressing aids
• Kitchen and daily living aids - adapted cutlery, kettle tippers, jar openers, reachers, plate guards
• Communication devices - speech generating devices, tablets with AAC apps, switch-accessible technology, low-tech communication boards
• Environmental controls - automated door openers, smart home systems, remote-controlled lighting, voice-controlled devices
• Pressure care and seating - pressure-relieving cushions, custom-moulded seating, alternating air mattresses
• Hoists and transfer equipment - mobile hoists, ceiling hoists, slide sheets, sara stedys
• Sensory and learning aids - weighted blankets, fidget tools, visual schedules, ear defenders (paediatric)
• Vehicle modifications - referrals to driving OTs for car modifications and wheelchair-accessible vehicles

The AT Assessment Process

A thorough assistive technology assessment is the foundation of a good prescription. Our process typically includes:

• Initial home visit - usually 60 to 90 minutes - to understand goals, current function, and the home environment
• Functional assessment across relevant tasks - mobility, transfers, daily living, communication, posture and pressure care
• Equipment trials with suppliers - participants test devices in their own environment before committing
• Consultation with the team - family, carers, support coordinators, school staff or aged care providers as appropriate
• Quotes from suppliers for the prescribed equipment, including any required accessories
• AT report with clinical reasoning, functional goals, evidence of trials, and prescription rationale
• Training and review after supply, to ensure the equipment is used safely and adjusted as needed

An assistive technology assessment often overlaps with a broader review of how a person manages everyday tasks. Where relevant, we combine AT prescription with a functional capacity assessment or home modifications so equipment and environment work together.

For a deeper look at what to expect during an AT assessment, read our blog post on assistive technology assessments.

NDIS Assistive Technology Funding Levels

The NDIS classifies assistive technology by cost level, with different evidence requirements at each tier. We prepare assessments and reports appropriate to the level required:

• Low-cost AT (under $1,500) - streamlined assessment and prescription. Items like shower chairs, adapted utensils, dressing aids, and low-tech communication tools. Often does not require a formal AT report.
• Mid-cost AT ($1,500 to $15,000) - comprehensive assessment with supporting evidence. Items like standard manual wheelchairs, walking frames, and basic communication devices. Needs written advice from an allied health practitioner or other AT advisor; a formal assessment report is not always required.
• High-cost AT (over $15,000) - detailed reports with trials, multiple quotes, and clinical justification. Items like complex powered wheelchairs, custom seating systems, ceiling hoists, and speech generating devices. Needs an assessment by a qualified AT assessor and a quote, and generally NDIS approval before purchase.

Some low-cost items still need written advice when they carry a higher risk if fitted or used incorrectly. These rules change, so check the NDIS guide to buying mid-cost or high-cost assistive technology before relying on a figure.

Assistive Technology Under Support at Home

For older Australians assessed for Support at Home, the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) scheme is a separate funding pathway from the ongoing services budget. The aged care assessment and support plan set out what has been approved, and some items need a prescription from a suitable health professional. Our occupational therapists can assess for and prescribe equipment such as walking aids, shower equipment and other items that support remaining safely at home. Many AT-HM items attract a participant contribution, so ask your provider to confirm the funding and any contribution before buying, and see the current government AT-HM guidance.

For more on how to access OT through Support at Home, read our guide.

Equipment Trials Before You Commit

Choosing the right assistive technology is about more than reading product specifications. We arrange trials with suppliers so participants can test equipment in their own home, with their actual family routine, before any funding application is committed to. This is especially important for higher-cost items like powered wheelchairs and complex seating - what looks right on paper doesn't always work in practice. Trial arrangements, including length and any cost, depend on the supplier and the item.

Training and Review After Supply

Once equipment is supplied, our OTs provide hands-on training so the participant and their support network can use it safely and confidently. For complex devices, a review after supply checks fit, adjusts settings and addresses any issues. For children, we often involve school staff in training so the device works consistently across home and school.

Assistive Technology Across Melbourne and Sydney

Our occupational therapists conduct AT assessments in the participant's own home across Melbourne and Western Sydney. The on-site approach means we see how proposed equipment will fit with the layout of the house, the participant's daily routine, and the support network around them - resulting in AT prescriptions that are practical, well-fitted, and consistently used.

We work with local suppliers across both states to arrange trials, obtain quotes, and coordinate delivery. For complex assistive technology - powered wheelchairs, complex seating, pressure care, and AAC devices - we work with specialist suppliers and rehabilitation engineers as needed.

Assistive Technology Occupational Therapy FAQs

What is assistive technology?

Assistive technology is any equipment, device, software, or system that helps a person carry out tasks they would otherwise find difficult or impossible. It ranges from low-cost aids such as adapted cutlery and grab rails through to high-cost items like powered wheelchairs, custom seating, and speech generating devices.

What does an OT assistive technology assessment involve?

An assistive technology occupational therapy assessment usually starts with a home visit to understand goals, current function, and the home environment. The OT completes a functional assessment, arranges equipment trials with suppliers, obtains quotes, and prepares an AT report with the clinical reasoning that funding bodies use to consider the prescription.

What are the NDIS assistive technology funding levels?

The NDIS groups assistive technology into low-cost (under $1,500), mid-cost ($1,500 to $15,000), and high-cost (over $15,000) tiers. Each tier has different evidence requirements: mid-cost items need written advice from an AT advisor such as an OT, and high-cost items need an assessment by a qualified AT assessor and a quote.

What is an occupational therapy mobility assessment?

It is an assessment of how a person walks, transfers and gets around their home and community, and whether a mobility aid, wheelchair, scooter, seating or a change to the home would make that safer. At Ergo Therapy Group it is usually completed at home as part of an assistive technology assessment.

Do I need an OT before buying equipment for home?

Not always. Many simple, low-risk items can be bought without advice. An OT assessment is worth considering when the equipment relates to a safety concern, needs to fit the person or the home, carries a higher risk, or will be funded through the NDIS or Support at Home, where advice or a prescription may be required.

How do I get assistive technology prescribed?

Where the NDIS or Support at Home requires advice or a prescription, an occupational therapist can provide it following an assessment. You can submit a referral online or contact our team to arrange an assessment.

Do you provide assistive technology trials?

Yes. We arrange trials with suppliers so participants can test equipment in their own home and daily routine before a funding application is committed to. This is particularly useful for higher-cost items such as powered wheelchairs and complex seating. Trial length and any cost depend on the supplier and the item.

How to Book an Assistive Technology Assessment

Ergo Therapy Group is a registered NDIS provider delivering assistive technology occupational therapy across Melbourne and Western Sydney. To discuss an AT assessment or prescription, call us on 0450 874 303, submit a referral online, or get in touch.