A quiet but important debate is playing out in aged care policy right now, and it could affect how older Australians access the equipment they need to live independently at home.
From November 2025, the new Support at Home program began rolling out across Australia, bringing with it a dedicated Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) Scheme. The intention is a good one: give aged care recipients upfront funding to access the assistive technology that helps them stay safe and independent at home.
But tucked inside the proposal is a detail worth understanding. The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing has signalled it wants to apply a "loan before buy" principle, where older Australians would first need to borrow equipment from a centralised pool before being able to purchase their own. That pool would be managed by state-based programs, varying from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.
The industry body representing assistive technology suppliers across Australia, ATSA, has come out firmly against this model. As a member of ATSA, we share their concerns and think it's worth explaining why.
What's the problem with a loans scheme?
On the surface, the idea of reusing equipment sounds sensible. Less waste, lower costs, more people served. In practice, though, the picture is more complicated.
ATSA undertook extensive research into government-funded loan schemes, including stakeholder interviews, literature reviews, and consultations across the Australian and international AT sectors. Their analysis found that a federally funded but state-administered model is unlikely to deliver consistent, efficient, or scalable outcomes.
The concerns are practical as much as they are philosophical. State-based administration creates inconsistency, meaning an older person in regional Queensland may have a very different experience to someone in metropolitan Victoria. People with rapidly changing needs, which is common in aged care, may struggle to access the right equipment quickly enough. Those in rural and remote areas, or living in residential care, risk being excluded from the loan pool altogether. And the anticipated cost savings may not materialise once you factor in logistics, refurbishment, storage, and the significant IT infrastructure required to manage a national fleet of physical assets.
There is also a deeper issue. The new Aged Care Act is built around a rights-based approach to care, emphasising choice, control, and individualised support. A centralised loan scheme, by its nature, works against that. It asks older Australians to accept what's available in the pool rather than what's right for them.
What should happen instead?
ATSA's recommendation is straightforward: prioritise direct purchase or private rental through a national open market, governed by consistent standards and a transparent pricing framework.
This isn't a radical idea. It's essentially how the NDIS handles assistive technology, and it works. An open market approach means aged care recipients can choose equipment tailored to their specific needs, from a supplier they trust, with proper trials, training, and ongoing support. Many suppliers already operating in aged care have well-established rental, refurbishment, and recycling programs in place. The infrastructure exists and doesn't need to be rebuilt from scratch at taxpayer expense.
A private rental model also protects the health of the AT market itself. A centralised loan scheme risks reducing competition, stifling innovation, and undermining the supplier base that older Australians depend on, particularly in regional and rural areas where supplier diversity is already limited.
What does this mean for you?
If you or someone you care for is accessing aged care services, it is worth staying informed about how the AT-HM Scheme develops. The equipment that helps someone shower safely, move around their home, or communicate with family is not a nice-to-have. It is fundamental to dignity and independence.
The good news is that the Department has acknowledged it was not ready to roll out the loans scheme on 1 November and is still exploring its options. That means there is still time for the policy to land in the right place.
We will continue to advocate alongside ATSA for an approach that puts the needs of older Australians first. In the meantime, if you have questions about what assistive technology is available under Support at Home, or how to access the right equipment for your situation, our team is here to help.
