Home modifications that make staying at home possible.
A home modification is a physical change to your home that makes it safer and easier to live in. Grab rails, ramps, level-access showers, doorway widening, lever taps, accessible kitchens. We assess the home, recommend the right changes, and write the clinical report that secures the funding.
What we modify.
Home modifications cover the physical environment of the home itself. We work most often across:
- Bathrooms — grab rails, level-access showers, shower seats, raised toilets, lever taps, non-slip flooring.
- Entry & access — ramps, threshold ramps, handrails, widened doorways, lever door handles.
- Kitchens — lowered or knee-clearance benches, pull-down shelving, lever taps, front-controls cooktops, side-opening ovens.
- Bedrooms — adjustable bed clearance, accessible wardrobes, lighting changes, transfer space planning.
- Living areas — chair raisers, lighting, flooring transitions, accessible storage.
The NDIS classifies modifications by complexity. Minor mods (grab rails, ramps under 3m, lever taps) are simpler to fund. Complex mods (level-access showers, bathroom rebuilds, doorway widening) require more detailed assessment and reporting.
How home modifications are different from assistive technology.
This is the most common confusion in the NDIS. Worth being clear about:
- Assistive Technology is the equipment — wheelchairs, adjustable beds, hoists, mobility aids, transfer boards. Things you can move with you.
- Home Modifications are changes to the building — ramps, rails, level-access showers, doorway widening. Things that stay with the house.
The NDIS funds them under different parts of your plan, and the assessment paperwork is different too. Many adults need both — a wheelchair (AT) and a ramp (Home Mod) often go hand in hand. We can do both assessments in one visit if it makes sense.
How the process works.
Initial conversation
What is making the home harder to live in? What changes are you already thinking about? What is your living situation?
In-home assessment
We come to your home in the Northern Rivers and look at the spaces, take measurements, and observe how you currently move through them. This usually takes 60-90 minutes.
Recommendation and report
We write a clinical report with the proposed modifications, the reasoning, and any technical detail the contractor will need. The NDIA uses this to decide on funding.
Quotes & approval
You or your support coordinator obtain quotes from approved contractors. We can recommend trusted local builders if helpful.
Build & review
The works happen. We review the finished modifications to make sure they meet your needs in practice, and adjust if anything needs tweaking.
Common questions about home modifications.
How long does the whole process take?
The OT report is usually returned within four to six weeks. The actual building works depend on the contractor and the scope — typically another two to four months from approval to completion.
Do I need to own the home?
For renters, modifications are still possible but require landlord consent. The NDIS will sometimes fund reversible mods in a rental. We will help you work out what is feasible.
What about minor things like a single grab rail?
Low-cost minor modifications (a single grab rail, a threshold ramp, a lever tap) often fall within "low-cost AT" thresholds and need less paperwork. We will tell you what's needed.
Can you do home modifications in a rental property?
Often yes, with the landlord's agreement. We will work with you and the property owner on what's possible and write the supporting report.