Reviewed on 02/18

QUEENSLAND BASED FUNDING

LEGEND

AT services Emergency call and monitoring

Walking aids Environmental control and home automation

Basic wheelchairs Computers & other Smart AT

Wheelchairs (manual and powered) Recreation and leisure

Self-care and transfers

Vehicle modifications

Communication

Building modifications

Vision and literacy Repairs and maintenance

Hearing

Icons by icons8.com

FUNDING OPTIONS FOR ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

2

Name Page Funded AT and AT Services

Medical Aids Subsidy Scheme (MASS) 4

Community Aids, Equipment and Assistive Technology Initiative (CAEATI) 5

Vehicle Options Subsidy Scheme (VOSS) 6

National Injury Insurance Scheme Queensland (NIIS) 7

Compulsory Third Party Insurance (CTP) 8

Home Assist Secure 9

Queensland Government Emergency Response Fund 10

Queensland Department of Education and Training (DET) – Educational Adjustment

Program (EAP) 11

Queensland Department of Education and Training (DET) – Non Schools Organisation

(NSO) program 12

Queensland Department of Education and Training (DET) – Assistive Technology Services

for Students with Vision Impairment 13

Inclusion Works! Inclusion Library 14

Giveability 15

Princess Alexandra Hospital – Hearing Aid Bank Australia 16

Department of Communities – Housing and Homelessness Services – Home Modification

Assistance 17

Hand Heart Pocket – Benevolence Assistance Grants 18

Hand Heart Pocket – Disaster Relief Grants 19

3

The Developing Foundation – Taking Charge Fundraising Program 20

Muscular Dystrophy Queensland – Equipment Loans and NILS 21

MND Queensland – Equipment Loans 22

MND and Me – Communication Connect Program 23

MND and Me – Short-Term Equipment Loans 24

Amputees & Families Support Group Qld Inc – Medical Aids & Equipment Program 25

Variety – The Children’s Charity Grants 26

4

Medical Aids Subsidy Scheme (MASS)

You could access this funding if you: • Live in Queensland • Hold a pensioner concession card, health care card

or Queensland Government Senior Card • Aren’t accessing the NDIS, Workcover, DVA or a

Level 3 or 4 Home Care Package • Haven’t received compensation or damages in

respect of your disability • Aren’t eligible for palliative care • Aren’t in hospital

www.health.qld.gov.au/mass/ subsidy-schemes/mass

1300 443 570

Useful for: • Mobility aids: walkers, wheelchairs, powerdrive wheelchairs (not scooters) • Daily living aids: showering and bathing aids, toileting aids, pressure care equipment, sleep positioning aids,

hoists and slings • Communication aids: speech generating devices, voice amplification devices, artificial larynges

Other notes: • AT must be primarily used in the home environment. • Subsidy only – expect to have a co-payment • All applications must be assessed and supported by an approved health professional • Must choose from a list of approved products when possible

5

Community Aids, Equipment and Assistive Technology Initiative (CAEATI)

You could access this funding if you: • Live in Queensland • Are under 65 • Aren’t accessing the NDIS, or in an area where the

NDIS is rolling out soon • Are a permanent resident or Australian citizen • Have a significant and permanent disability • Register with the Queensland Department of

Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services

www.health.qld.gov.au/ mass/community-access

1300 443 570

Useful for: • AT to be used in the community, including mobility devices, communication devices and leisure AT • AT to be used to access an online community, including AT for computer and phone access

Other notes: • Exclusions apply. • All applications must be assessed and supported by an approved health professional. Some funding is

available to subsidise the cost of assessment. • In certain categories, must choose from a list of approved products if possible

6

Vehicle Options Subsidy Scheme (VOSS)

You could access this funding if you: • Live in Queensland • Are under 65 • Aren’t accessing the NDIS, or in an area where the

NDIS is rolling out soon • Are a permanent resident or Australian citizen • Have a significant and permanent disability • Register with the Queensland Department of

Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services

www.health.qld.gov.au/ mass/vehicles 1300 443 570

Useful for: • Assessment and recommendation relating to vehicles (as a driver or passenger) • Accessible vehicles • Aids to help get people or AT in and out of the vehicle • Specialised driving modifications • Specialised car seats

Other notes: • Funding is available for purchasing and modifying a vehicle for accessibility. • All applications must be assessed and supported by an approved health professional. Some funding is

available to subsidise the cost of assessment.

7

National Injury Insurance Scheme Queensland (NIIS)

You could access this funding if you: • Are a worker who acquires serious personal

injuries as a result of work-related events in Queensland, or

• Have sustained a serious personal injury in a motor vehicle accident in Queensland (regardless of fault)

• Serious personal injury includes impairments such as a permanent spinal cord injury, brain injury, high-level limb amputations, severe burns, permanent legal blindness, etc.

• This injury occurred on or after 1 July 2016

niis.qld.gov.au 1300 607 566

Useful for: • AT assessment and recommendation • All kinds of AT

Other notes: • All funded AT and services must be determined to be reasonable and necessary as per the NIIS Act 2016.

8

Compulsory Third Party Insurance (CTP)

You could access this funding if you: • Have sustained an eligible personal injury in a

motor vehicle accident that was caused by the fault of another person

www.maic.qld.gov.au 1300 302 568

Useful for: • AT assessment • All kinds of AT

Other notes: • You will need to claim against the relevant CTP insurer for other relevant compensation such as general

damages (e.g. pain and suffering) or economic loss. Usually this is a bulk amount of money which can then be used at your discretion.

• The claim should be made against the insurer of the owner/driver at fault. • You may be eligible for other funding, such as through the National Injury Insurance Scheme QLD

9

Home Assist Secure

You could access this funding if you: • Live in Queensland • Are aged 60 years or older, or are of any age and

have a disability • Are unable to undertake or pay for critical

maintenance services to your home without assistance

• Hold a Pensioner Concession Card (for subsidised modifications and maintenance)

• Are unable to access other forms of assistance, e.g. Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP), Department of Veterans’ Affairs, family or friends

www.hpw.qld.gov.au/aboutus/ReportsPublications/ FactSheets/Pages/HomeAssistSecure.aspx

Useful for: • Subsidised labour costs for necessary minor home maintenance or modifications, e.g. rails and small ramps

where the total cost is $1500 or less

Other notes: • Prior to completing any minor modifications, advice and professional assistance must be provided by an

appropriately trained and qualified Occupational Therapist. • Subsidised assistance can only be provided for work that is necessary, for health, safety and security reasons,

for the eligible person to remain living in their home.

10

Queensland Government Emergency Response Fund

You could access this funding if you: • Have a disability, or are caring for a person with a

disability • Are experiencing an emergency and crisis situation • Require minimal one-off funded support to

continue to maintain the family and/or caring situation

• Are not able to receive support through any other schemes (e.g. NDIS)

www.qld.gov.au/disability/adults/emergency-support See website for contact details for your region

Useful for: • All kinds of assistive technology that is urgently needed

Other notes: • Funds are coordinated from different organisations depending on the geographical region within

Queensland. People may self-refer or be referred by other community agencies. • Funding cannot be used to provide recurrent or ongoing support.

11

Queensland Department of Education and Training (DET) – Educational Adjustment Program (EAP)

You could access this funding if you: • Attend school in Queensland (Prep to Year 12) • Have been assessed and verified to have one of

the following: o Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) o Hearing Impairment (HI) o Intellectual Disability (ID) o Physical Impairment (PI) o Speech-Language Impairment (SLI) o Vision Impairment (VI) o Social Emotional Disorder (SED) if in a

non-state school

education.qld.gov.au/students/ disabilities/adjustment/

07 3513 6743

Useful for: • Purchase of specialised equipment and resources for the student and/or their teachers to help a student

participate in school • Assessment, trial and recommendation of assistive technology

Other notes: • Schools are allocated the resources, with principals responsible for supporting the educational programs of

all students with disability in their school. Targeted funding is not allocated directly to students. • Speak with your school’s Principal or the Principal Education Officer Student Services (PEO SS) in your local

regional office.

12

Queensland Department of Education and Training (DET) – Non Schools Organisation (NSO) program

You could access this funding if you: • Attend school in Queensland (Prep to Year 12) • Require significant levels of educational

adjustments to improve your access, participation and learning outcomes in your educational programs

http://education.qld.gov.au/schools/ grants/other/non-schools/

1800 200 422

Useful for: • AT for learning and study • Self-care aids for use at school • Other aids for use at school, e.g. adapted recreation equipment for school camps

Other notes: • Funds are provided to specific non-government, not-for-profit, non-school organisations in order to help

schools make reasonable adjustments for students with a disability • NSO program services are provided at the request of the school, based on the needs of the verified student

to access and participate in the curriculum. The principal of the school decides if assistance is required and requests the services from NSO funded organisations.

• Funded services may be able to assist with recommending AT for the school environment and/or may have a loan pool of AT for use within the school environment.

13

Queensland Department of Education and Training (DET) – Assistive Technology Services for Students with Vision Impairment

You could access this funding if you: • Attend school in Queensland (Prep to Year 12) • Have a vision impairment or blindness • Require assistive technology as an educational

adjustment

education.qld.gov.au/studentservices/ learning/disability/statewideservices/

07 3823 0754

Useful for: • AT for learning and study • Support for staff who support students using assistive technologies.

Other notes: • Delivered via Narbethong Special School, based in Brisbane. Support may be given over email or telephone,

or via school visits.

14

Inclusion Works! Inclusion Library

You could access this funding if you: • A child care service, family day care, school,

vacation program provider, Outside School Hours Care service or other person providing care to children

www.inclusionworks.com.au/library-Information 1300 497 437

Useful for: • Loans / rentals of equipment for young children, especially switch adapted toys but also some adapted

computer equipment, supportive seating, activity tables and standers.

Other notes: • Subscription based service that allows educators to access a wide range of resources along with support and

advice around inclusion of all children

15

Giveability

You could access this funding if you: • Are a child with special needs (or applying on

behalf of a child with special needs)

www.giveability.com.au 0438 701 201 (Jane) 0447 790 009 (Scott)

Useful for: • Short-term loans of specialised equipment for trial or other short-term use • Available equipment includes walkers, standing frames, wheelchairs / special needs prams, beach

wheelchairs, specialised seating, child car seats and special needs trikes

Other notes: • All requests to access equipment must be made by a physiotherapist, occupational therapist or other suitably

qualified person • Loans are free of charge • Based on the Gold Coast but will deliver to nearby areas (e.g. Brisbane)

16

Princess Alexandra Hospital – Hearing Aid Bank Australia

You could access this funding if you: • Are not eligible for the Australian Government

Hearing Services Program • Have a Health Care Card or can show that you

cannot afford a hearing aid • Have a referral from a Queensland Health or

Northern New South Wales hospital

metrosouth.health.qld.gov.au/audiology?provider=66 07 3176 2111

17

Department of Communities – Housing and Homelessness Services – Home Modification Assistance

You could access this funding if you: • Live in public housing • Have a disability, or need help to care for a

household member with a disability

https://www.qld.gov.au/housing/public-community-housing/housing-for-people-with-disability

13 74 68

Useful for: • Assessment for home modifications by an occupational therapist • Minor and major home modifications

Other notes: • Approved modifications will be the minimum considered reasonable and necessary. • Some public housing properties cannot be modified.

18

Hand Heart Pocket – Benevolence Assistance Grants

You could access this funding if you: • Are a person in need (or applying on behalf of a

person in need) • Live in Australia

www.handheartpocket.org.au 1300 053 396

Useful for: • All kinds of assistive technology and support services

Other notes: • Grants can be one-off or ongoing. Most assistive technology will require a one-off grant. • Members of the public are open to apply for any type of assistance.

19

Hand Heart Pocket – Disaster Relief Grants

You could access this funding if you: • Have experienced a natural disaster and need

financial assistance • Are a person in need • Live in Australia

www.handheartpocket.org.au 1300 053 396

Useful for: • All kinds of assistive technology and support services

Other notes: • One-off grants for people affected by a natural disaster

20

The Developing Foundation – Taking Charge Fundraising Program

You could access this funding if you: • Are 18 years or over and have a brain injury or

developmental disability, or • Are a carer for a person (child or adult) who has a

brain injury or developmental disability • Become a member of The Developing Foundation

Inc.

https://www.developingfoundation.org.au 07 3871 0530

Useful for: • Fundraising for equipment or support • Training and budgeting around fundraising

Other notes: • Funds are managed through a Deductible Gift Recipient Bank Account. Families complete and submit an

expense claims form to disburse funds to their preferred providers.

21

Muscular Dystrophy Queensland – Equipment Loans and NILS

You could access this funding if you: • Live in Queensland • Have muscular dystrophy or another

neuromuscular condition

mdqld.org.au/get-support/ 07 3607 1800

Useful for: • No-interest loans for purchase of all kinds of equipment and other items • Long term loan of hi-lo adjustable beds

Other notes: • May ask for some costs to be claimed through the NDIS if you are eligible

22

MND Queensland – Equipment Loans

You could access this funding if you: • Live in Queensland • Have Motor Neurone Disease

www.mndaq.org.au/Find-help/Equipment.aspx 1800 777 175

Useful for: • Loans of AT including hygiene aids, beds and recliner chairs, wheelchairs, communication devices and

computer access AT

Other notes: • Equipment requests must be completed by an appropriate health professional • Includes a one-off charge for transportation and maintenance of the equipment

23

MND and Me – Communication Connect Program

You could access this funding if you: • Live in Queensland • Have Motor Neurone Disease

www.mndandme.com.au/helping-people/communication-connect-program/

07 3394 5333

Useful for: • Loans of iPads for communication purposes

Other notes: • Can only be accessed by the recommendation of a Speech Pathologist

24

MND and Me – Short-Term Equipment Loans

You could access this funding if you: • Live in Queensland • Have Motor Neurone Disease

www.mndandme.com.au/helping-people/equipment/short-term-equipment-loans/

07 3394 5333

Useful for: • Short-term rental or loan of AT while waiting for other funding schemes • Equipment includes beds, mattresses, mobility aids, hoists, hygiene AT and seating

Other notes: • Can only be accessed by the recommendation of an Allied Health Professional. • Equipment is supplied in partnership with Think Mobility in Brisbane, Townsville and Mackay

25

Amputees & Families Support Group Qld Inc – Medical Aids & Equipment Program

You could access this funding if you: • Are a member of the Amputees & Families

Support Group Qld Inc ($15/year) • Are leaving hospital and returning home

www.afsg.org.au/medical-aids 07 3290 4293

Useful for: • Short-term rental or loan of AT while waiting for other funding schemes • Equipment includes basic AT items such as wheelchairs and showerchairs.

Other notes: • Cost of equipment is free but AFSG requires a $50 bond. This will be refunded once equipment is returned.

26

Variety – The Children’s Charity Grants

You could access this funding if you: • Are a Queensland child up to 18 years of age who

is sick, disadvantaged or has special needs • Or are a school, organisation or family member

who is looking for assistance for a child who fits the above description

• Are looking for financial support for things like equipment, therapy and medical supplies

• Can demonstrate a genuine need (including financial evidence) and information on how the assistance requested will meet this need

07 3907 9300 www.variety.org.au/qld

Useful for: • Provision, repair or replacement of AT • Costs for training and/or therapy after AT has been recommended • Adapted play equipment and/or wheelchair modifications to bus fleets for a school or organisation

Other notes: • Variety aims to “fill the gaps” and prioritises requests for which there is no or limited government support.

Every application is considered on a case by case basis. • In most instances, Variety requires supporting letters from relevant professionals (e.g. doctors, specialists,

therapists, teachers) and quotes for the items requested.