A home and living assessment looks at the support a person needs to manage everyday life in their current or proposed home. An occupational therapist explores the activities involved, the help already available and the person's preferences, then documents recommendations relevant to the assessment purpose.
Ergo Therapy Group accepts enquiries about OT housing assessments in Melbourne and Western Sydney. Tell us the location, report purpose and any deadline so we can confirm whether a suitable clinician can take on the work. Assessment scope and appointment availability are confirmed individually.
Start with the question the report needs to answer
Someone preparing to leave their family home may have different questions from someone whose existing support arrangement is no longer working. An assessment should be clear about the decision being considered before information is collected.
For example, you might want to explain difficulty organising meals, the help needed with personal care or what happens when a familiar support person is unavailable. Describe the concern in your own words. You do not need to arrive with a complete list of recommended services.
The NDIS home and living evidence guidance asks for recent information about support needs, their effect on daily life and the options already considered. An OT report contributes evidence; the NDIA decides which supports meet funding requirements.
What to bring to the discussion
A useful referral includes:
- The person's own housing goals and preferred living arrangements.
- The practical activities that are difficult at present.
- Assistance provided by family, friends and paid supports.
- Relevant previous assessments and the questions they leave unanswered.
- Changes being considered, including any proposed move.
- The intended report recipient and the reason for the request.
Ask permission before sharing someone else's observations or records. If a support coordinator is arranging the referral, make sure the participant knows what the assessment is for and how they will take part.
Looking at daily life in context
A conversation about a normal week can reveal issues that a short description misses. One task might be manageable with prompting, while another requires someone to remain nearby. Discuss both the help that is provided and what happens when it is absent.
The OT may observe agreed activities, review existing information and ask follow-up questions. Any demonstration should be appropriate and safe. There is no need to recreate a difficult incident or remove necessary assistance to prove that a person needs support.
Tell the therapist about routines that work well. Familiar equipment, a preferred sequence or a person's communication method can be as relevant as an activity they find difficult. The report should reflect their abilities and choices alongside support needs.
How this relates to other assessments
Home and living is a broad area. A SIL or SDA assessment addresses particular support or accommodation questions. A functional capacity assessment may provide useful information about daily function, but the agreed scope determines whether it addresses the current housing question.
SIL concerns support with daily life, while SDA concerns eligible accommodation. You can read our SIL and SDA explanation before discussing which assessment is relevant. Booking a home and living assessment does not automatically establish eligibility for either.
Agreeing the work before booking
Ask for a written scope explaining the assessment activities, report work, estimated costs and expected delivery arrangements. Identify who will gather any additional records and who should be contacted if the question changes.
If you already have a report, send the referral question first and ask whether that report can be reviewed. A new assessment should have a clear purpose. Let us know about a deadline, while allowing the clinician to confirm what can realistically be completed.
Common questions
Can an OT tell me which housing option will be funded?
An OT can provide functional evidence and recommendations within the agreed scope. Funding decisions sit with the NDIA, and an assessment cannot guarantee an outcome.
Is this the same as a SIL assessment?
Not necessarily. Home and living assessment is broader. Explain the decision you need evidence for so the clinician can confirm the relevant assessment.
Can family members contribute?
With appropriate consent, their observations can help explain the routine. The participant's own preferences and account should remain central to the discussion.
Do you have appointments available in my suburb?
Send the address, assessment purpose and any timing requirements. Coverage, clinician suitability and current capacity need to be confirmed for the enquiry.
Make a referral with your location and the home and living question you would like an OT to consider.