If you're over 65 and finding it difficult to manage the stairs in your home, you may be eligible for government-funded support through My Aged Care. Many older Australians don't realise that home modifications like stairlifts can be partially or fully funded through aged care programs — they assume they have to pay for everything out of pocket.
This guide explains the two main funding pathways available through My Aged Care, how they apply to stairlifts and mobility equipment, and how to get started.
What Is My Aged Care?
My Aged Care is the Australian Government's gateway to aged care services. It's the starting point for anyone over 65 who needs help to continue living independently at home. Through My Aged Care, you can be assessed for a range of support services including personal care, transport, home maintenance, and — importantly for stairlift funding — home modifications and assistive technology.
There are two main programs that may cover stairlifts and mobility equipment.
Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP)
The CHSP is designed for older Australians who need a relatively small amount of help to keep living at home. It provides entry-level support services and can include minor home modifications.
Under the CHSP, you may be able to access funding for handrails and grab rails, minor ramp installations, bathroom modifications like shower rails or raised toilet seats, and in some cases, assistive technology and equipment.
Whether a stairlift can be funded under the CHSP depends on your regional assessment team and service provider. Stairlifts are generally considered a more significant modification, so the CHSP may cover part of the cost or refer you to a Home Care Package for the full amount. It's worth asking — some people are surprised by what can be approved.
To access the CHSP, you need to contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 and undergo a Regional Assessment Service (RAS) assessment. This is a straightforward in-home assessment where an assessor looks at your living situation and determines what support you need.
Home Care Packages (HCP)
Home Care Packages provide a higher level of support than the CHSP and come with a dedicated budget that you can direct towards the services you need most. There are four levels of Home Care Packages, ranging from basic care needs through to high-level care needs, with each level providing a larger annual budget.
Home Care Packages can be used for a wide range of services including home modifications and assistive technology. This is where stairlift funding becomes more realistic. A higher-level Home Care Package — Level 3 or Level 4 — may provide enough funding to cover or significantly contribute to the cost of a stairlift installation.
How you spend your Home Care Package budget is managed in partnership with your Home Care Package provider. You discuss your goals and priorities with them, and together you decide how to allocate the funding. If a stairlift is essential for you to continue living safely at home, it can be a legitimate use of your package funds.
To access a Home Care Package, you need an assessment through the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT), which is a more detailed assessment than the RAS assessment used for the CHSP. Contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 to arrange this.
Important note on wait times. There can be a significant wait between being approved for a Home Care Package and actually receiving one, particularly for Level 3 and Level 4 packages. If you need a stairlift urgently and you're waiting for a package to become available, a stairlift hire arrangement can bridge the gap. Read our guide on stairlift hire in NSW for more on this option.
The New Support at Home Program
The Australian Government is reforming aged care and introducing the Support at Home program, which is replacing the CHSP and Home Care Packages. This new program is designed to simplify the system and provide more consistent access to home modifications and assistive technology.
Under the new program, home modifications and assistive technology will sit within a dedicated category of support, which should make it clearer and easier to access funding for stairlifts and mobility equipment. We recommend speaking with My Aged Care directly or checking their website for the latest information on when these changes take effect and how they may benefit your situation.
What If I'm Also Eligible for the NDIS?
If you're under 65 and have a permanent disability, the NDIS is likely the more appropriate pathway. The NDIS and My Aged Care are separate systems with different eligibility criteria.
If you're approaching 65 and currently on the NDIS, there are transitional arrangements in place. Your NDIS support coordinator can help you understand what happens when you move from NDIS to aged care funding.
If you're over 65 with a disability related to a workplace or road accident, you may also be eligible for support through EnableNSW and icare. Read our guide on EnableNSW and icare funding for more information.
How Bespoke Mobility Can Help
We work with aged care clients and their providers across NSW every day. Here's how we can support you through the process.
Free home assessment. We'll visit your home, assess your staircase, and recommend the right stairlift for your situation. There's no charge and no obligation.
Quotes for your provider. Your Home Care Package provider will need a detailed quote to allocate funding. We provide clear, itemised quotes that include everything — supply, installation, and any modifications required.
Liaising with your OT. If your aged care provider requires an occupational therapist assessment before approving a home modification, we can work alongside your OT and provide the technical specifications they need for their report.
Installation and ongoing support. Once approved, we handle the full installation and provide training on how to use the stairlift safely. We also offer servicing and maintenance to keep your stairlift running smoothly for years to come.
Areas We Service
Bespoke Mobility services all of Sydney and NSW including Western Sydney, North Shore, Northern Beaches, Eastern Suburbs, Inner West, Sutherland Shire, Central Coast, Newcastle and the Hunter, Wollongong and the Illawarra, Blue Mountains, and the South Coast. We also service all of QLD.
Get Started
The first step is to call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 and request an assessment. If you've already been assessed and have a Home Care Package, call us on 1300 495 572 and we'll arrange a free home assessment to get your stairlift quote prepared.
Email info@bespokemobility.com.au or fill in our contact form if you'd prefer to get in touch online.
Bespoke Mobility is an NDIS registered provider, DVA approved, and the exclusive Australian distributor of Bespoke Stairlifts — winner of UK Stairlift Manufacturer of the Year 2023.