Yes, a medical sheepskin rug can be funded through the Support at Home program (which replaced the Home Care Packages program in November 2025) or through the Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) Rehabilitation Appliances Program. Whether it qualifies depends on the same thing both programs look at: clinical purpose.
This guide explains how each funding pathway works, what your provider needs to see, and the steps to take if your first request is knocked back.
In this article
- What the Support at Home program covers for equipment
- DVA funding for sheepskin rugs: what veterans are eligible for
- How to get your sheepskin rug approved
What the Support at Home program covers for equipment
The Home Care Packages program was replaced by the Support at Home program from 1 November 2025. If you were receiving a Home Care Package, you have transitioned to Support at Home and your funding level has been maintained.
How the AT-HM scheme funds assistive technology
Support at Home has a separate stream specifically for equipment: the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) scheme. This is separate from your quarterly services budget, so you do not need to save up from your regular support hours to access it.
The AT-HM scheme provides upfront funding for products and equipment that help you stay safe and independent at home. Funding is assessed based on your individual care needs and is available for 12 months from when you sign your service agreement (or 24 months for those with progressive conditions).
Items are grouped into three categories based on complexity:
- Low risk: simple, low-cost items you can purchase without professional advice
- Under advice: items where a health professional's input helps you choose the right product
- Prescribed: higher-cost or more complex items that require a prescription from a qualified health professional
Is a sheepskin rug classed as assistive technology?
This is where the clinical vs. decor distinction matters. A sheepskin rug purchased for warmth or home decoration would not qualify. But a medical-grade sheepskin used for pressure relief, to reduce shear on skin, or to manage skin integrity for someone who is bed-bound or chair-bound may well meet the definition of assistive technology under the AT-HM scheme.
The key is that the product must have an assessed clinical purpose tied to your care needs. Your assessor or case manager is the right person to confirm whether a medical sheepskin would be included in your AT-HM funding tier. It is worth asking directly, with supporting advice from your GP or occupational therapist (OT).
For more on the pressure care benefits of medical sheepskin, see our guide to sheepskin and pressure sore prevention.
The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) as an alternative pathway
The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) is a different entry-level program for older Australians who need basic help to stay at home. It has been extended to 30 June 2027 under the Aged Care Act 2024.
CHSP does include assistive equipment as a service type, with general guidance allowing up to around $1,000 per financial year for goods and equipment that clients cannot purchase independently. A medical sheepskin overlay could potentially be covered under CHSP's "self-care aids" or "support and mobility aids" sub-types, but approval depends on your CHSP provider and an assessed need.
If you are not yet receiving any funded aged care services, contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 to request an assessment. That assessment will determine which program you are eligible for.
DVA funding for sheepskin rugs: what veterans are eligible for
For eligible veterans, war widows and war widowers, the Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) has a dedicated program for aids and equipment: the Rehabilitation Appliances Program (RAP). Medical sheepskin overlays are explicitly listed in the RAP National Schedule of Equipment.
Medical sheepskin under the Rehabilitation Appliances Program (RAP)
The DVA's RAP covers medical-grade sheepskin overlays and protectors for eligible Gold Card and White Card holders. The program's guidance is specific: medical-grade sheepskin should only be considered when a low-pressure or pressure-support surface is not tolerated by the patient.
In other words, the program is designed for clinical use, not for general comfort. If someone needs pressure care and a standard pressure-relieving mattress or overlay is not suitable for them, a medical sheepskin becomes an appropriate RAP item.
| Card type | RAP eligibility |
|---|---|
| Gold Card | Eligible for all health conditions, including pressure care |
| White Card | Eligible for accepted service-related conditions only |
Note that from 1 July 2026, all aids, appliances and modification entitlements will be considered under the MRCA (Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act). DVA has confirmed the current RAP provisions will continue unchanged under the new arrangements.
Who can prescribe and what documentation you need
To access a RAP item, you need a prescription from a qualified health professional. For a medical sheepskin, that typically means:
- An occupational therapist (OT)
- A physiotherapist
- A general practitioner (GP)
The prescriber must confirm that the sheepskin is clinically necessary for your assessed condition, and that a standard low-pressure surface is not tolerated. The supplier will need documentation showing this clinical rationale before processing a DVA RAP claim.
If you do not already have an OT, DVA can help you find one. Visit dva.gov.au or call DVA on 1800 838 372.
Finding a DVA-contracted supplier
RAP items must be supplied through a DVA-contracted RAP supplier. Not every mobility aids retailer is contracted with DVA. When you are ready to purchase, confirm with the supplier that they can process DVA RAP orders and provide the quote or invoice documentation your prescriber needs. We are happy to help with this process, so give us a call and we will talk it through.
How to get your sheepskin rug approved
Framing the request: clinical need vs. comfort item
The most common reason a sheepskin request is knocked back is that it was presented as a comfort purchase rather than a clinical one. Funding programs look for documented clinical need. Here is what helps:
- Get your GP or OT involved early. A written recommendation noting why a medical-grade sheepskin is appropriate for this person's skin condition, pressure care needs or mobility situation carries weight.
- Specify medical grade. Make it clear you are not requesting a decorative rug. Medical-grade sheepskin overlays are made to clinical standards for pressure redistribution and skin care. Our sheepskin rugs collection includes medical-grade options with product specifications your provider will want to see.
- Ask your provider what documentation they need. Some providers require a written OT report; others accept a GP letter or a product quote with clinical specifications.
If you are navigating an NDIS plan rather than aged care funding, our guide on NDIS coverage for sheepskin covers that pathway separately.
Key takeaways
- Both Support at Home (AT-HM scheme) and DVA RAP can fund a medical sheepskin rug when clinical need is documented.
- The clinical vs. decor distinction is the deciding factor for every funding program.
- DVA RAP explicitly lists medical sheepskin overlays; a Gold Card or White Card holder needs a prescription from an OT, physio or GP.
- For Support at Home, ask your case manager whether a medical sheepskin fits your AT-HM funding tier.
- CHSP is an option for those at the entry level of aged care funding, with assistive equipment covered up to around $1,000 per year.
What to do if your request is declined
A first rejection is not always final. Here are sensible next steps:
- Ask for the reason in writing. Understanding why the request was declined tells you exactly what is missing, whether that is more clinical evidence, a different product category, or a re-framing of the request.
- Get an OT assessment if you have not already. An OT report that documents pressure care risk carries far more weight than an informal request.
- Request an internal review. Support at Home providers and DVA both have formal review processes. Use them. A well-documented second request often succeeds where a first did not.
- Contact My Aged Care or DVA directly. If you feel the decision is wrong, My Aged Care (1800 200 422) and DVA (1800 838 372) have support staff who can clarify what the program covers and guide you through a review.
Getting the right product through the right pathway
Funding for a home care package sheepskin rug is available, but it takes a bit of preparation. The programs that cover it are looking for the same thing: a clear clinical reason and a medical-grade product. Get your OT or GP on board early, speak plainly to your provider about what you need and why, and you will be in a much stronger position.
If you need help identifying which sheepskin product meets the clinical specifications your provider is asking for, or if you need a quote or product information for your funding application, we are here to help. Browse our sheepskin rugs or give us a call and we will talk it through.