If you or a family member has a Home Care Package, it may be possible to fund bathroom safety equipment, including the installation cost, through your package budget without spending a dollar of your own money. Most people don't know what qualifies until they've already bought something themselves. Here's what's covered, what isn't, and how to access it properly.
Key takeaways
- Grab rails, shower chairs, raised toilet seats, non-slip mats, bath boards, and bath lifts are all commonly funded under HCP assistive technology budgets
- Minor home modifications, including grab rail installation, can also be funded
- Major structural renovations (wet room conversion, wall removal) are not covered by HCP
- The biggest mistake: buying products with your own money first, then discovering HCP would have covered them
- Talk to your care coordinator before any purchase
- We provide HCP-compatible invoices and quotes on request
In this article
- What a Home Care Package Can Fund for Your Bathroom
- What Home Care Packages Cannot Cover
- How to Access Bathroom Safety Funding from Your Package
What a Home Care Package Can Fund for Your Bathroom
Home Care Packages (HCP) are government-funded aged care packages that Australians can access from around age 65 through My Aged Care. There are four levels, and the budget available for equipment and modifications varies with each. Bathroom safety is one of the most common spending areas across all four levels.
Assistive technology and equipment
Under the assistive technology or equipment budget of your HCP, the following bathroom safety products are commonly funded:
- Grab rails (toilet, shower, and bath)
- Shower chairs and shower stools
- Raised toilet seats and toilet surrounds
- Non-slip bath and shower mats
- Bath boards and bath lifts
- Handheld shower hoses
The amount available depends on your package level and how much of your annual budget is already allocated. HCP Level 1 and 2 packages have smaller annual budgets ($10,280 and $18,230 approximately for 2025-26), while Level 3 and 4 packages have significantly more ($39,780 and $60,220 approximately). Bathroom aids fit within any level when the broader annual allocation is managed well.
Minor home modifications (installation)
Minor home modifications are a separate line item within your HCP that covers the labour cost of having equipment installed. This means a professional's time to fit your grab rails can be funded too, not just the rails themselves. The key word is minor: grab rail installation, shower rail fitting, door handle replacement, and similar small works all qualify. Major structural work does not.
What Home Care Packages Cannot Cover
There are real limits on what an HCP can fund for bathroom modifications. These require a different funding source:
- Major structural renovations (converting a bathtub to a walk-in shower, building a wet room, removing walls)
- Permanent alterations to a rental property without landlord consent
- Products that are primarily for comfort rather than safety or daily living function
For major bathroom modifications, the relevant programs are the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) and, for eligible NDIS participants, the Home Modifications funding under Capital Supports. Your care coordinator can advise which pathway suits your situation.
If you are a Veteran, the Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) has separate funding pathways for home modifications and aids. Contact DVA directly for current eligibility.
How to Access Bathroom Safety Funding from Your Package
The process isn't complicated, but the order matters. The right sequence is: identify the need, talk to your care coordinator, get approval from your package budget, then purchase. Many people do it backwards and miss out on funding that was available to them.
The common mistake HCP holders make
The most common mistake is buying bathroom safety products with personal funds, then attempting to claim reimbursement through the HCP. This often doesn't work. HCP providers require purchases to be approved before they happen, not after. Once you've already paid, the opportunity to use package funding is usually gone. It costs Australians money every year, and it's entirely preventable.
How to request it the right way
- Talk to your care coordinator and explain what bathroom safety modifications or equipment you need. If you're not sure what's right, an occupational therapist can assess your bathroom and provide a specific list, which also strengthens the case for approval.
- Request a quote. Your care coordinator will need a formal quote from a supplier. We can provide HCP-compatible quotes and invoices for any products in our range.
- Get approval from your package budget. Your coordinator will approve the spend against your package allocation.
- Place the order. Once approved, purchase through the agreed supplier and provide the invoice to your provider.
Browse our range of bathroom grab rails, shower chairs, and bathroom aids. Contact us for an HCP-compatible quote for any product or combination of products before you speak to your care coordinator.