Home Modifications Under the NDIS | What's Possible?
From ramps to bathroom modifications, learn what home modifications the NDIS can fund, how the assessment process works, and what to expect.
Owen Clark
9/14/20262 min read
Home Modifications Under the NDIS: What's Possible?
For many NDIS participants, the home environment itself can be one of the biggest barriers to independence and safety. Home modifications, changes made to a person's living environment, are a well-established form of NDIS-funded support, but the range of what's possible, and the process for accessing it, isn't always well understood.
Types of Home Modifications
Home modifications generally fall into two categories:
Minor modifications — smaller-scale changes such as grab rails, ramps and minor bathroom adjustments, which typically require less extensive assessment and approval.
Complex or major modifications — larger structural changes such as bathroom rebuilds, doorway widening, kitchen modifications or platform lift systems. These require detailed assessment, building approval and a formal home modification report.
How the Assessment Process Works
A home modification assessment typically involves:
An occupational therapy assessment of the person's functional needs, current environment and specific barriers they face
A site visit, ideally involving both the OT and a builder or access consultant, to understand structural constraints
Development of a report outlining the recommended modifications, the clinical rationale, and how they relate to Australian Standard AS 1428.1 (the design standard for access and mobility) where relevant
Quotes from a licensed builder, which are submitted alongside the OT report for funding approval
Why Clinical Justification Matters
As with assistive technology, home modification requests need to clearly demonstrate why the change is necessary, not just what would be convenient. This means the OT report needs to link each recommended modification back to a specific functional limitation and address why less invasive or lower-cost alternatives wouldn't adequately meet the person's needs.
This is particularly important for major modifications, which involve significant cost and often require sign-off from a delegate who wants to see clear, well-reasoned evidence before approving the funding.
Common Modification Requests
Some of the most frequently requested modifications we see include:
Bathroom modifications for step-free shower access
Ramps and level entry points
Doorway and hallway widening for wheelchair access
Kitchen bench height adjustments
Grab rails
Working with Landlords and Rental Properties
Home modifications for participants in rental properties involve an additional layer of complexity, as landlord consent is generally required before work can proceed. This is worth raising early in the process, as it can significantly affect timelines.
Getting Started
If your home environment is creating barriers to safety or independence, a home modification assessment is often the right starting point even if you're not yet sure exactly what changes might help. Onward Health conducts home modification assessments across the Sunshine Coast and surrounding catchment for NDIS, NIISQ, TAC, DVA and Support at Home clients. Get in touch to discuss your situation.
