How to Use Your Home Care Package to Buy Mobility Equipment in Melbourne

Table of Contents

• What Is a Home Care Package?
• Can You Use a Home Care Package for Mobility Equipment?
• What Mobility Equipment Can Be Funded?
• How the Funding Process Works
• What to Ask Your Package Coordinator
• Choosing a Local Supplier in Melbourne
• Tips to Make Your Funding Go Further
• FAQs
• Your Next Step

If your mum just came home from hospital and needs a walking frame, or your dad is struggling to get out of his chair, you want answers fast — not a maze of government paperwork.

The good news: if your loved one has a Home Care Package, there's a good chance mobility equipment is already covered. You just need to know how to ask for it and who to work with.

This guide explains exactly how Home Care Package funding works for mobility aids in Melbourne, what equipment qualifies, and how to move quickly without getting stuck in the process.

What Is a Home Care Package?

A Home Care Package (HCP) is a government-funded program that helps older Australians live independently at home for longer. It's managed through My Aged Care and is available to people aged 65 and over (or 50 and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people).

There are four package levels, each with a different annual funding amount:

Note: Exact amounts are set by the Australian Government and reviewed periodically. Check myagedcare.gov.au for current figures.

Your package is managed by an approved provider — sometimes called a package coordinator or case manager. They help you decide how to spend your funds across services like in-home care, transport, and equipment.

Can You Use a Home Care Package for Mobility Equipment?

Yes. Assistive technology and mobility aids are a recognised use of Home Care Package funding, provided the equipment supports your independence, safety, or ability to stay at home.

The key phrase your coordinator will use is "reasonable and necessary." If the equipment helps you move around safely, reduces fall risk, or makes daily tasks manageable, it generally qualifies.

That said, your package coordinator has some discretion, and different providers interpret guidelines differently. Knowing what to ask — and having a clear reason for the equipment — makes the process much smoother.

What Mobility Equipment Can Be Funded?

Most mobility aids that help with day-to-day safety and independence are eligible. Here's a practical breakdown:

Walking Aids

• Walking frames and wheeled walkers (rollators)
• Walking sticks and quad canes
• Forearm crutches

These are among the most commonly funded items. They're affordable, clearly functional, and easy to justify to a coordinator.

Bathroom Safety Equipment

• Shower chairs and shower stools
• Grab rails and handrails (installation may also be covered)
• Raised toilet seats
• Commode chairs
• Non-slip bath mats

Bathroom falls are one of the most common causes of injury for seniors. Coordinators are generally very supportive of funding bathroom aids.

Wheelchairs

• Manual wheelchairs for home and community use
• Transport wheelchairs for outings and appointments

A standard manual wheelchair starts from $198 at Direct Mobility — well within reach even on a modest package budget.

Lift Recliner Chairs

Lift recliners help people with limited strength or mobility stand up from a seated position safely. They're particularly useful after surgery, for people with arthritis, or for anyone who finds standard chairs difficult to get out of.

These sit at a higher price point — a quality lift recliner chair typically ranges from around $995 to $4,448 depending on features. Your coordinator can assess whether this is an appropriate use of your package funds.

Scooters and Power Wheelchairs

Electric mobility scooters and power wheelchairs are sometimes funded through HCP for people who have difficulty walking longer distances. These are higher-cost items, so you may need a higher package level or a supplementary quote.

Daily Living Products

Grab rails, bed rails, over-bed tables, and similar daily living aids are often covered too, especially when they support safe movement around the home.

How the Funding Process Works

The process doesn't have to be complicated. Here's how it typically works:

Step 1: Check your package level and available balance
Contact your package coordinator or log in to your My Aged Care account. Ask how much funding you currently have available and whether assistive technology is included in your care plan.

Step 2: Get a recommendation or assessment
For straightforward items like walking frames or shower chairs, your coordinator may approve the purchase directly. For higher-cost items like power wheelchairs or lift recliners, an occupational therapist (OT) assessment may be recommended or required.

Step 3: Get a quote from your supplier
Your coordinator will usually ask for a quote from the supplier before approving the purchase. This is where working with a local Melbourne supplier makes things faster.

Step 4: Approval and purchase
Once your coordinator approves the item, the supplier is paid directly from your package funds. You don't usually need to pay out of pocket and then claim back — the coordinator handles the payment.

Step 5: Delivery and setup
Your equipment is delivered and, where needed, set up at your home. For Melbourne residents in the western suburbs, same-day delivery is available through Direct Mobility.

What to Ask Your Package Coordinator

Many families don't realise how much their package can cover simply because they never asked. Here are the questions worth raising:

• "Is assistive technology included in my current care plan?" If it's not listed, ask to have it added at your next review.
• "What's my current available balance?" Knowing your budget helps you choose the right equipment without overspending.
• "Do I need an OT assessment for this item?" For lower-cost aids, the answer is often no. For higher-cost items, it may speed up approval.
• "Can you pay the supplier directly?" Most coordinators can do this — you shouldn't need to pay upfront and wait for reimbursement.
• "Are home modifications covered under my package?" If grab rails or bathroom modifications are needed, these may also be fundable.

Being specific about what you need — and why — helps your coordinator move quickly. "My dad needs a walking frame because he's been discharged from hospital and is at risk of falls" is a much easier conversation than a vague request.

Choosing a Local Supplier in Melbourne

Working with a local Melbourne supplier makes the whole process easier. You get faster quotes, faster delivery, and someone who can actually answer the phone.

Direct Mobility is based in Deer Park and serves Melbourne's western suburbs including Melton, Caroline Springs, Sunshine, and surrounding areas. The team works directly with package coordinators, so you don't need to manage the paperwork yourself.

A few things that matter when choosing a supplier:

Speed. If your parent has just been discharged from hospital, waiting two weeks for equipment isn't acceptable. Direct Mobility offers same-day delivery across Melbourne — because waiting shouldn't be part of the plan.

Price. Your package funds aren't unlimited. Choosing a supplier with competitive pricing means your budget goes further. A standard wheelchair from $198 leaves room for other items you might also need.

Range. You want to be able to get everything from one place — walking aids, bathroom safety products, a lift recliner, and daily living items. That avoids juggling multiple suppliers and multiple quotes.

Support. If you're not sure what you need, being able to visit a physical store and try equipment before committing matters. Direct Mobility has a showroom in Deer Park where you can see and test products in person. Free home trials are also available on select items.

You can browse the full range and request a quote at directmobility.com.au.

Tips to Make Your Funding Go Further

Home Care Package funds are real money, and making smart choices helps you get more out of them.

Buy what you need now, hire what you need short-term. If your parent is recovering from a hip replacement and needs a wheelchair for six weeks, hiring is smarter than buying. Direct Mobility offers short- and long-term equipment hire, which is a cost-effective option for temporary needs.

Prioritise safety items first. Bathroom aids and walking frames are lower cost and high impact. Getting these sorted quickly reduces fall risk and protects the rest of your package for bigger purchases.

Don't wait for the perfect plan. Package funds can sit unspent if you're waiting for everything to be perfectly organised. If there's a clear need, act on it. Your coordinator can always adjust the care plan later.

Ask about promotional pricing. Suppliers like Direct Mobility regularly offer significant discounts — sometimes 50% or more off standard pricing. A quick conversation before you finalise a quote could save you hundreds of dollars from your package.

Keep records. Your package coordinator needs documentation. When you request a quote, ask for a written itemised quote you can forward directly. This speeds up approval.

FAQs

Can I use my Home Care Package to buy a lift recliner chair?
Yes, in most cases. Lift recliner chairs are considered assistive technology that supports safe movement and independence at home. Your package coordinator will assess whether it fits your care plan. For higher-cost models, a brief OT recommendation can help the approval move faster.

Do I need an occupational therapist to approve mobility equipment through my HCP?
Not always. For lower-cost items like walking frames, shower chairs, or grab rails, your coordinator can often approve the purchase without a formal OT assessment. For more expensive items like power wheelchairs or high-end lift recliners, an OT assessment may be recommended or required.

Can my package coordinator pay the supplier directly?
Yes. Most package coordinators pay approved suppliers directly from your package funds. You shouldn't need to pay out of pocket and then wait for reimbursement. Confirm this with your coordinator before placing an order.

What if my package doesn't have enough funds for the equipment I need?
You have a few options. You can wait until your next quarterly budget cycle, ask your coordinator about a package level review if your needs have increased, or choose a more affordable model. Hiring equipment short-term is also a practical option if the purchase isn't immediately affordable.

Does Direct Mobility work with Home Care Package coordinators?
Yes. Direct Mobility works directly with package coordinators to make the process straightforward. They can provide itemised quotes in the format coordinators need and support the approval process from their end.

What suburbs in Melbourne does Direct Mobility deliver to?
Direct Mobility serves Melbourne's western suburbs including Deer Park, Melton, Caroline Springs, Sunshine, and surrounding areas, with same-day delivery available. Contact them directly to confirm delivery to your specific suburb.

Is mobility equipment hire covered by a Home Care Package?
It can be. Short-term equipment hire is sometimes covered when the need is temporary — for example, during recovery from surgery. Ask your coordinator whether hire costs can be drawn from your package funds.

Your Next Step

If your parent or loved one has a Home Care Package and needs mobility equipment in Melbourne, you don't need to figure it all out alone.

Direct Mobility works with package coordinators across Melbourne's western suburbs to make the process simple. Browse the full range of walking aids, bathroom safety products, wheelchairs, lift recliners, and more — then request a quote and share it with your coordinator.

Visit directmobility.com.au to browse products, request a quote, or get in touch with the team. Same-day delivery is available across Melbourne — because getting the right equipment quickly is what matters most.