What's new
- Community Aged Care Package (CACP) and Extended Aged Care Home (EACH) now eligible
- Aids and Equipment Program review
- Vehicle Modification Subsidy Scheme
CACP and EACH now eligible
From 1 February 2008, people receiving a Community Aged Care Package (CACP) and both types of Extended Aged Care at Home (EACH) packages, may be able to apply to the Aids and Equipment Program.
Community Aged Care Package recipients will be eligible to access all items currently available through the Aids and Equipment Program's equipment and subsidies, in line with existing guidelines.
Extended Aged Care at Home (EACH) and Extended Aged Care at Home Dementia (EACH D) package care recipients will be eligible to apply for those items not covered by an EACH package, that is; electric wheelchairs, scooters and home modifications.
Further information
Aids and Equipment Program review
The department has commissioned KPMG to undertake a review of the current Aids and Equipment Program and recommend a preferred model for Victoria.
The review process has now concluded and the report is available to download:
-
Review of the Aids and Equipment Program (PDF 918KB) -
Review of the Aids and Equipment Program (Word 1484KB)
Next steps
The review recommended a significant restructure of the program's service delivery platform with the aim to:
- make aids and equipment more affordable
- reduce waiting times and waiting lists
- provide a wider range of equipment and services
- allow more people to access the equipment and services
- a number of themes and recommendations will be conisdered and incorporated into an implementation plan for the reconfiguration of the program over the next two years.
The statement from the Executive Director, Disability Services, outlines the way forward and is available to download:
Statement on the Review of the Aids and Equipment Program (PDF 85KB)
Statement on the Review of the Aids and Equipment Program (Word 136KB)
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Consultation
The department is strongly committed to ongoing consultation to ensure changes are implemented appropriately. A number of consultative processes will be established over the next few months, including an external advisory committee that is representative of the range of stakeholders.
Further information
Please email your questions to a&ep.review@dhs.vic.gov.au.
Vehicle Modification Subsidy Scheme
Who is eligible
A vehicle modification subsidy is now provided as part of the Aids and Equipment Program.
For more information download the Vehicle Modification Subsidy Scheme brochure in PDF or Word:
Vehicle Modification Subsidy Scheme brochure (PDF 123KB)
Vehicle Modification Subsidy Scheme brochure (Word 47KB)
The vehicle modification subsidy is available to Victorians with a permanent or long-term disability who meet the eligibility criteria of the Aids and Equipment Program, and will provide assistance to:
- People requiring vehicle modifications to drive a vehicle due to their disability
- People with a disability requiring modifications to travel as passengers in a vehicle.
What modifications are available
A maximum subsidy of up to $10,000 is available to assist with the purchase of prescribed modifications to suit individual circumstances.
Subsidies will be made available to approved individuals on a basis of one grant per person for the modification of the primary vehicle for the person's transport.
Subsidies will be provided for:
- Conversion of vehicle for wheelchair access
- Ramps fixed to vehicle
- Specialised trailers, lifters and carriers for wheelchairs
- Modified driving controls to enable a person with a disability to drive a vehicle
- Specialised seats
- Air conditioning for people with thermo-regulatory conditions.
Subsidies will not be provided for the modification of vehicles owned by organisations.
How to apply
You will need to fill out an Aids and Equipment General Application Form and an Attachment 1: Vehicle Modification Subsidy Scheme Prescription Form and send them to the address below.
Download the Aids and Equipment General Application Form in PDF or Word:
Aids and Equipment General Application Form (PDF 274KB)
Aids and Equipment General Application Form (Word 99KB)
Ballarat Health Services
102 Ascot Street South
Ballarat Vic 3350
Your occupational therapist will be able to assist you with the assessment and prescription process and the additional documentation required to complete your application.
Occupational therapist assessment and prescription
In accordance with the Aids and Equipment Program an assessment and prescription by an occupational therapist will be required as part of the application process, to ensure that the proposed vehicle modification is the most appropriate to meet an individual's needs.
Vehicle Modification Subsidy Scheme Guidelines
The guidelines provide further information about eligibility, subsidy levels and prescritpions and assessment processes.
Download the Vehicle Modification Subsidy Scheme Guidelines in PDF or Word:
Vehicle Modification Subsidy Scheme Guidelines (PDF 47KB)
Vehicle Modification Sudsidy Scheme Guidelines (Word 95KB)
Download Attachment 1: Vehicle Modification Subsidy Scheme Prescription Form referred to in the above guidelines, in PDF:
Download Attachement 2: Vehicle Modification Subsidy Agreement Form referred to in the above guidelines, in PDF or Word:
Attachment 2: Vehicle Modification Subsidy Agreement Form (PDF 24KB)
Attachment 2: Vehicle Modification Subsidy Agreement Form (Word 72KB)
Vehicle modification eduction workshops for occupational therapists
ILC Education (Independent Living Centre) (external link) will be running a series of vehicle modification education workshops for occupational therapistts to coincide with the commencement of the scheme.
Display day
A free display day for people with a disability, families, carers, parents and occupational therapists will be held on Friday 18 July at the Independent Living Centre in Brooklyn.
A range of accessible vehicles and transport related equipment will be on display.
Download the Vehicle Modification Supplier Display Day Flyer with Registration:
Vehicle Modification Supplier Display Day Flyer with Registration (PDF 267KB)
Vehicle Modification Supplier Display Day Flyer with Registration (Word 36KB)
Further information
- Vehicle Modifaction Subsidy Scheme at Ballarat Health Services on Freecall 1800 995 009 or email vmss@bhs.org.au.
- Department of Human Services on disability.services@dhs.vic.gov.au
Download help
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