Funding Pathways for Adjustable Beds in NSW: A Complete Guide for Older Adults and Their Families
- Therapist Choice
- Mar 4
- 9 min read
Published by Therapist Choice – Occupational Therapy Services, NSW
If you or a loved one is struggling with getting in and out of bed safely, managing pain overnight, or needs better positioning for breathing or circulation, an adjustable bed can be a genuinely life-changing piece of equipment. But with costs often ranging from $2,000 to $8,000 or more, finding the right funding pathway is essential.
The good news is that several government-funded programs exist in NSW to help older adults access adjustable beds – whether through purchase, hire, or loan. The not-so-good news is that the landscape can be confusing, with overlapping programs, different eligibility criteria, and varying timeframes.
At Therapist Choice, our Occupational Therapists work with older adults across NSW every day, helping them navigate these funding pathways and complete the clinical assessments required to access the right equipment. This guide breaks down your main options.
1. Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP)
The CHSP is an entry-level aged care program funded by the Australian Government. It helps older people access basic support services to continue living independently at home. One of its service categories is Goods, Equipment and Assistive Technology (GEAT), which can include items like adjustable beds.
Who is eligible?
Aged 65 years or older (50+ for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)
Living in Australia and needing some support to remain living at home
Assessed through My Aged Care (call 1800 200 422 or apply online)
Funding amounts
Under the CHSP, funding for assistive technology is typically up to $500 per person per calendar year. This cap can be increased to up to $1,000 with supporting clinical evidence from an Occupational Therapist. While this is unlikely to cover the full cost of an adjustable bed on its own, it can be combined with a personal contribution or used for lower-cost assistive equipment that supports bed mobility (such as bed sticks, rails, or overbed tables).
Key considerations
CHSP clients are expected to make a co-contribution towards the cost of services where they can afford to do so.
The CHSP has been extended to 30 June 2027 and will eventually transition into the Support at Home program.
2. GEAT2GO – National Equipment Program Under CHSP
GEAT2GO is a national initiative under the CHSP, operated by Indigo Solutions. It was introduced to fill service gaps in areas where local GEAT providers may not be available or may have exhausted their annual funding allocation. GEAT2GO provides CHSP-eligible clients with access to assistive technology devices and equipment on loan to support independent living.
How it works
GEAT2GO operates as a loan-based service – equipment is provided to the client for as long as they need it and is returned when no longer required.
To access GEAT2GO, an Occupational Therapist or My Aged Care assessor registers on the GEAT2GO portal and submits equipment requests for eligible clients.
OTs are validated through AHPRA, and assessors through their employing agency.
GEAT2GO is designed to be used when no local GEAT provider is available – local providers should be accessed first where possible.
At Therapist Choice, our OTs are registered with GEAT2GO and can assist with clinical assessments and equipment requests through this pathway. If you have been approved for CHSP GEAT services through My Aged Care, we can help identify the right equipment and submit your request.
3. Support at Home Program – AT-HM Scheme
From 1 November 2025, the Australian Government introduced the Support at Home program, replacing the former Home Care Packages Program. A major component of this reform is the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) Scheme, which provides separate, upfront funding for equipment and home modifications – distinct from your regular care budget.
For more information, visit the AT-HM Scheme page on My Aged Care or the Department of Health AT-HM Scheme page.
AT-HM Funding Tiers
Tier | Funding Amount | Access Period | Examples |
Low | Up to $500/year | 12 months | Grab rails, shower stools, bed rails, non-slip mats |
Medium | Up to $2,000/year | 12 months | Adjustable chairs, walking frames, sensor lighting, over-bed tables |
High | Up to $15,000/year | 12 months (extendable) | Adjustable beds, bathroom renovations, ceiling hoists, stair lifts |
For an adjustable bed, you would typically require High Tier funding (up to $15,000). In some cases, participants may access funding exceeding $15,000 with a valid prescription from a qualified health professional and supporting evidence.
Timeframes: From Assessment to Purchase
Understanding how long the process takes is one of the most common questions we receive. Here is a realistic breakdown based on current wait times:
Step 1 – Apply to My Aged Care: You can apply online or by calling 1800 200 422. This initial step is straightforward and can be done the same day.
Step 2 – Wait for assessment: After applying, you should be contacted by an assessor within 2 to 6 weeks to arrange an in-home assessment visit.
Step 3 – Receive your Notice of Decision: After the assessment, it can take a further 2 weeks to receive your Notice of Decision letter, which outlines your approved services and AT-HM funding tier.
Step 4 – Wait for funding allocation: Once approved, you enter the national priority queue. Your wait time depends on your priority category:
Priority Category | Estimated Wait Time for Ongoing Funding |
Urgent | Within 1 month |
High | 1 – 3 months |
Medium | 3 – 6 months |
Standard | 6 – 12 months |
Important: AT-HM funding is allocated through a separate priority system to your ongoing Support at Home services. This means you may receive your AT-HM funding (for equipment like an adjustable bed) before your regular care budget is allocated. If your ongoing funding is delayed, the government may provide interim funding at 60% of your approved budget.
Step 5 – OT assessment and prescription: Once funding is allocated, your Support at Home provider arranges an Occupational Therapy assessment. The OT assesses your needs, recommends a suitable bed, and prepares the clinical prescription. This typically takes 1 to 3 weeks depending on OT availability.
Step 6 – Sourcing and delivery: Equipment can be purchased, rented, or loaned. Once the OT report and quotes are finalised, delivery is usually arranged within 1 to 2 weeks.
Total estimated timeframe: For someone entering the system as a new applicant, the process from initial My Aged Care contact to receiving an adjustable bed could take anywhere from 2 to 4 months (urgent/high priority) to 6 to 12+ months (standard priority). The government has forecast reducing average wait times to 3 months by July 2027.
What's included
Adjustable electric beds (hi-lo beds) — typically funded as a long single, with or without a companion long single for your partner's side. Larger or specialised beds (e.g. bariatric) may be approved with additional clinical justification.
Pressure care mattresses and overlays
Bed accessories such as rails, poles, and safety sides
OT prescription and wrap-around services (classified as clinical supports – fully funded by the government with no participant contribution)
Repairs and maintenance for equipment purchased through the scheme
Delivery and installation costs
What's excluded
Standard household beds or mattresses without clinical justification
Items considered usual household expenses or discretionary purchases
Secondary or recreational equipment not directly related to assessed needs
Equipment more appropriately funded by other government services (e.g., the health system)
Important: Participants who transitioned from Home Care Packages must use any unspent HCP funds first before accessing new AT-HM scheme funding. Participant contributions may also apply for AT-HM items, as they are classified as independence services.
4. EnableNSW – Equipment Loan Program
EnableNSW is a business unit of HealthShare NSW that provides assistive technology on loan at no cost to eligible NSW residents with a lifelong or long-term disability or chronic health condition. Unlike the programs above, EnableNSW does not involve purchase or hire – equipment is allocated on loan for as long as the person needs it and remains the property of NSW Health.
What's available?
Through the Equipment Allocation Program (EAP), EnableNSW provides a range of standard stock equipment including adjustable beds, mattresses, bathing and toileting aids, transfer aids, manual and power wheelchairs, scooters, and walkers. Equipment is delivered statewide from their centre in Homebush.
How it works
A clinician (typically a NSW Health hospital OT) assesses the patient and selects appropriate equipment from the EnableNSW equipment catalogue.
NSW Health clinicians submit requests through EnableNSW Online using their StaffLink credentials.
Private clinicians (including private OTs) can also submit requests using paper-based equipment request forms, emailed to enable@health.nsw.gov.au.
The patient also needs to complete a separate EnableNSW Application Form to establish eligibility.
EnableNSW is responsible for ongoing maintenance and reasonable repairs to all supplied equipment.
Note: Individuals under 65 with a permanent and significant disability should first check their eligibility for the NDIS before applying to EnableNSW.
5. National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
The NDIS funds assistive technology, including adjustable beds, for eligible Australians under 65 years of age with a permanent and significant disability. While this guide focuses on older adults, some readers may have family members who qualify, or may themselves have been NDIS participants before turning 65.
How adjustable beds are funded under the NDIS
Mid-cost items ($1,500–$15,000): Most adjustable beds fall in this range. Requires Assistive Technology funding in the Capital section of your plan, plus written evidence from a qualified professional such as an OT.
High-cost items (over $15,000): Complex or bariatric beds require a formal AT assessment and quote before approval.
An Occupational Therapist conducts a home assessment, provides clinical justification, and prepares the necessary documentation for the NDIS plan or plan review.
At Therapist Choice, we regularly assist NDIS participants with bed and mattress assessments, providing the clinical reports and prescriptions needed for funding approval.
6. icare – Lifetime Care and Workers Care Program
For individuals who have been severely injured in a motor vehicle accident or workplace incident in NSW, icare provides access to equipment through its Lifetime Care and Support Scheme and Workers Care Program.
icare operates an Equipment Panel made up of approved suppliers (including Aidacare, ALTER, Alpha Lifecare, and Independent Living Specialists) who supply assistive technology including electric adjustable beds, medical grade mattresses, wheelchairs, and transfer aids. Equipment can be sourced for both hire and purchase through these panel providers.
To access equipment through icare, a prescribing health professional (such as an OT) completes an Equipment Request Form with clinical justification. The request is submitted to the participant's icare coordinator or case manager for approval.
At Therapist Choice, we can provide the Occupational Therapy assessments and clinical documentation required for icare equipment applications.
7. Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) – Rehabilitation Appliances Program
Veterans with a Gold Card (or a White Card for conditions accepted as service-related) can access adjustable electric beds through the DVA's Rehabilitation Appliances Program (RAP). Under RAP, an adjustable bed can be prescribed by an Occupational Therapist, Registered Nurse, or Physiotherapist. The prescribing clinician completes a RAP form, which is submitted to one of DVA's contracted suppliers for approval and delivery.
Adjustable beds are a contracted item under DVA RAP and generally do not require prior approval unless the request exceeds one bed per person. Equipment is supplied at no cost to the veteran, and DVA covers ongoing maintenance and repairs.
Please note: Therapist Choice is not currently a registered DVA provider. However, we are happy to discuss your situation and point you toward appropriate DVA-registered clinicians and suppliers in your area. If you are a veteran exploring your equipment options, please don't hesitate to reach out to us for general guidance.
Which Pathway Is Right for You?
Program | Type | Max Funding | Best For |
CHSP | Purchase (subsidised) | $500–$1,000/year | Entry-level needs; smaller equipment items |
GEAT2GO | Loan (no cost) | N/A (loan service) | CHSP clients where no local GEAT provider is available |
Support at Home AT-HM | Purchase, rent or loan | Up to $15,000+ | Comprehensive equipment needs; adjustable beds |
EnableNSW | Loan (no cost) | N/A (free loan) | NSW residents with long-term disability/chronic condition |
NDIS | Purchase | $1,500–$15,000+ | Under 65 with permanent disability |
icare | Hire or purchase | As assessed | Motor accident or workplace injury |
DVA RAP | Supplied (no cost) | Contracted item | Veterans with Gold/White Card |
The Role of an Occupational Therapist
Across nearly all of these funding pathways, an Occupational Therapy assessment is a critical step. An OT will:
Conduct a comprehensive home assessment to evaluate your bed mobility, transfers, and safety
Consider your medical conditions, functional abilities, carer requirements, and home environment
Recommend the most appropriate bed and mattress type for your specific needs
Prepare the clinical reports, prescriptions, and justifications required by each funding body
Coordinate equipment trials where required and oversee delivery and setup
Without an OT assessment, most higher-cost equipment requests will be delayed or declined. Having a thorough, well-documented assessment from the outset is the single most important step in getting your adjustable bed funded efficiently.
How Therapist Choice Can Help
At Therapist Choice, our experienced Occupational Therapists provide in-home assessments across NSW, specialising in assistive technology prescription for older adults and people with disabilities. We can assist you with:
NDIS – Clinical assessments, AT prescriptions, and reports for plan reviews
Support at Home (AT-HM Scheme) – OT prescriptions for high-tier equipment including adjustable beds
EnableNSW – Equipment request forms and clinical justification for loan equipment
GEAT2GO / CHSP – Equipment selection and ordering through the GEAT2GO portal
icare – Clinical documentation and equipment request forms for Lifetime Care and Workers Care participants
We understand that navigating these systems can feel overwhelming, particularly when you or a family member is unwell or in pain. Our team is here to simplify the process, handle the paperwork, and advocate for the equipment you need.
Ready to get started?
Contact Therapist Choice today to book an Occupational Therapy assessment.
Website: www.therapistchoice.com.au
Phone: Contact us through our website to book your assessment
Disclaimer: This blog post is intended as general information only and does not constitute medical or financial advice. Funding programs, eligibility criteria, and amounts may change. Information is current as of March 2026. Always confirm directly with the relevant funding body or your healthcare provider for the most up-to-date details.
Sources and useful links:
My Aged Care – 1800 200 422
Comments