An occupational therapy (OT) home assessment evaluates your living space through intake, an in-person home visit, and a final recommendations report.

The process typically takes 1 to 2 hours and is broken down into three main phases:

1. Preparation and Intake

• Referral review: The OT receives details from your doctor, support coordinator, or funding body.

• Initial chat: A brief phone or telehealth call to discuss your goals, main challenges, and medical history.

2. The Home Visit and Walkthrough

• Discussion of routines: The OT talks with you about how you manage daily tasks like showering, dressing, and cooking.

• Observation: The therapist watches you move around and safely perform everyday tasks if appropriate.

• Room inspection: A room-by-room check of entryways, hallways, kitchens, and bathrooms to spot safety hazards and measure spaces.

3. Report and Recommendations

• Solution planning: The OT suggests equipment (like grab rails or shower chairs) or home modifications (like ramps or widened doorways).

• Final report: A written document is provided with clinical justifications to help secure funding or guide builders

An occupational therapist home assessment looks at your home and daily movements to recommend changes that improve safety and independence. You can request one through My Aged Care or the NDIS.

Minor modifications (low risk/cost)

• What: Simple, non-structural changes usually under $20,000.

• Examples: Grab rails, handheld showers, lever taps, small ramps, non-slip strips.

• Process: Basic clinical approval and few quotes; quicker turnaround.

Complex modifications (high risk/cost)

• What: Major structural changes over $20,000 needing permits and design.

• Examples: Full bathroom rebuilds for roll-in showers, kitchen alterations, structural ramps, ceiling hoists.

• Process: Detailed reports, floor plans, builder/project manager input; longer approvals.

Assistive technology (AT) is any device, software, or equipment used to maintain or improve the functional capabilities of people with disabilities.

Examples include:

• Wheelchairs

• Shower and toilet chairs

• Recliners

• Electric Beds

• Tipper Kettles

Occupational Therapists prescribe AT by evaluating client needs, coordinating trials, and writing formal funding justifications and reports.

• Initial Assessments: Gathers baseline health history, background and identifies immediate client and care goals, as well as details about the home environment.

• Scope of Works: Details of the exact home modification requirements. Includes drawings, measurements and specifications for the tradesman to refer to.

• Assistive Technology Reports: Recommends specialised equipment details and clinical reasoning to gain funding approval.

• NDIS Reports: Provides clinical evidence for home modification funding requests.

• Functional Capacity Assessment: Evaluates how easily a person completes their activities of daily living tasks (ADL’s)

• OT Concept Drawings & Elevations: Visualises building plans to ensure precise and clear accessibility layouts.