Yes, a bedside commode can be funded through Australia's government-funded home care programs. Under the Support at Home program (which replaced the old Home Care Packages in November 2025), commodes fall under the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications stream, meaning there is a dedicated budget pathway to cover them.
In this article
- What the Support at Home Program Covers
- How to Get a Commode Funded Through Your Package
- Support at Home vs NDIS: Which Covers Your Commode?
What the Support at Home Program Covers
The Support at Home program is Australia's government-funded system for helping older Australians stay independent at home. It replaced the old four-level Home Care Packages on 1 November 2025, and the new structure offers more flexibility around how equipment is funded.
Rather than drawing equipment costs from a single quarterly care budget, Support at Home has a dedicated stream specifically for assistive technology and home modifications. This is important because it means a commode does not compete with the hours of personal care or domestic help in your plan.
Assistive technology and equipment
Under the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) stream, your provider can fund a wide range of mobility and safety equipment, including:
| Equipment type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Toileting aids | Bedside commodes, raised toilet seats, toilet surrounds |
| Bathing and shower aids | Shower chairs, wheeled shower commodes, bath boards |
| Mobility aids | Walking frames, wheelchairs, rollators |
| Bedroom safety | Bed rails, over-bed poles, bed raisers |
| Daily living aids | Dressing aids, jar openers, long-handled reachers |
The key requirement is that all equipment must be recommended as safe and appropriate for your individual needs, usually following an assessment by an occupational therapist. Your provider will help arrange this.
How a bedside commode fits into your care plan
A bedside commode is classified as a daily living aid because it directly supports your ability to manage toileting safely at home, particularly overnight or when mobility is reduced. If getting to the bathroom independently is a risk for you, a commode is one of the most practical aids your care plan can include.
Your Support at Home provider works with you to build a care plan around your goals. If maintaining continence dignity and safety at home is one of those goals (and for most people it is), a commode is a well-established part of that plan. You do not need to request it formally upfront. You can raise it with your care coordinator at any point.
How to Get a Commode Funded Through Your Package
The process is straightforward whether you are already on Support at Home or just starting your aged care journey.
If you're already on Support at Home
- Contact your care coordinator. Tell them you need a bedside commode and that it is affecting your safety or independence at home.
- Request an OT assessment. Your coordinator will arrange for an occupational therapist to assess your needs. This cost is often covered by your package.
- Update your care plan. Once the OT recommends the commode, your provider adds it to your plan and sources it from the AT-HM budget stream.
- Receive and use the equipment. Depending on your provider, the commode may be purchased for you or you may be reimbursed after purchase.
If your current provider is unresponsive or unable to help, you have the right to change providers at any time under Support at Home. Your funding stays with you.
If you haven't applied yet
If you are not yet receiving government-funded home care, the first step is to contact My Aged Care. You can do this by calling 1800 200 422 or applying online at myagedcare.gov.au.
An assessor will visit you at home to understand your needs and set your funding classification. The Support at Home program has eight classification levels, so your funding amount is tailored to how much support you genuinely need. Once approved, you have 56 days to choose a provider and begin services.
If you need a commode urgently while you are waiting for approval, it is worth purchasing one outright and speaking to your provider about reimbursement once your funding is active. Many commodes are priced under $150, which makes this a practical short-term option.
Support at Home vs NDIS: Which Covers Your Commode?
The program that covers your commode depends on your age and whether you have a permanent disability. Here is a plain-language summary:
| Support at Home | NDIS | |
|---|---|---|
| Who it's for | Australians aged 65+ (50+ for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples) | Australians under 65 with a permanent and significant disability |
| Commode funding | Yes, under the AT-HM stream | Yes, as basic assistive technology (Level 1) |
| Entry point | My Aged Care (1800 200 422) | NDIS (1800 800 110) |
| Can you have both? | Generally no. You access one program based on your eligibility. Some people transition from NDIS to Support at Home when they turn 65. | |
If you are under 65 and have a permanent disability, a bedside commode is listed as a Level 1 (basic) assistive technology item under the NDIS. It is considered low cost and low risk, so the process for getting it funded through your NDIS plan is relatively simple. We recommend speaking with your support coordinator or NDIS planner about including it at your next plan review.
For more detail on the NDIS process, see our guide: NDIS Frequently Asked Questions.
Key takeaways
- Bedside commodes are covered under Australia's Support at Home program through the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications stream.
- The process starts with your care coordinator and usually involves an occupational therapy assessment.
- If you are not yet on Support at Home, contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 to begin your assessment.
- Under 65 with a permanent disability? The NDIS funds commodes as basic (Level 1) assistive technology.
- You cannot access both programs at the same time, but you can transition between them as your circumstances change.
Ready to choose the right commode?
Once you know your funding is in place, the next step is finding the commode that actually fits your space, your weight requirements, and your day-to-day routine. We have put together a full range of bedside commodes across different styles and weight capacities, with fast delivery across Australia.
If you are not sure which model suits you best, our team is happy to help. Because independence matters.