Home Modifications
Clinically reviewed by Angela Lander, AHPRA-registered Occupational Therapist and Director of Occupational Therapy — last reviewed July 2026.
NDIS Home Modifications in Melbourne — Occupational Therapy Assessment & Reporting
Home modifications are physical changes to a person's home environment — from grab rails and ramps through to bathroom redesigns and structural alterations — that improve safety, access, and independence for someone living with disability, injury, or age-related change. At Ability Rehab in Ivanhoe East, our occupational therapists assess the home environment, recommend modifications tailored to the person's functional needs, prepare the clinical reports required for NDIS funding, and coordinate with builders and other professionals through to implementation.
Most of our home modifications work is delivered to NDIS participants, though we also support clients funded through private pay and Medicare-related pathways, as well as TAC and Support at Home (aged care). Our occupational therapists are experienced in the assessment and reporting requirements of each scheme. We work with NDIA-managed, plan-managed, and self-managed participants, and have deep experience navigating both minor home modifications (under the NDIS minor mods threshold) and complex home modifications (requiring more rigorous reporting and oversight).
If your situation involves NDIS housing eligibility — such as Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) or Supported Independent Living (SIL) — visit our Housing Assessment page for the specialist housing reporting and assessment service.
What Are Home Modifications?
Home modifications are changes made to a home — its layout, fixtures, fittings, or structure — to support a person to live there safely and independently. The right modifications depend on the person's functional needs, the way they move around their home, the daily activities they're trying to do, and the environment they're working with. Some modifications are small and quick to install; others involve structural change and require detailed planning, builder coordination, and council approval.
Under the NDIS, home modifications are categorised as either minor or complex, with different processes, evidence requirements, and timelines applying to each. Both require an occupational therapist's assessment and recommendation, but complex modifications carry a higher bar of clinical justification, build documentation, and review. We work across both categories.
NDIS Home Modifications
Ability Rehab is a registered NDIS provider, and the majority of our home modifications work is funded through participant NDIS plans. We support NDIA-managed, plan-managed, and self-managed participants, and our occupational therapists are experienced at producing the clinical reports the NDIS requires to fund both minor and complex modifications.
Minor Home Modifications
Minor home modifications are non-structural changes that fall under the NDIS minor home modification threshold — things like grab rails, hand-held shower heads, lever taps, threshold ramps, raised toilet seats, and similar additions that don't require structural alteration or council approval. The process is generally faster and the reporting requirements lighter than for complex modifications.
Complex Home Modifications
Complex home modifications involve structural changes to the home — bathroom redesigns, doorway widening, level access showers, ramps requiring engineering input, kitchen reconfiguration, or major access alterations. These require a more rigorous OT assessment, detailed clinical justification, builder quotes, and in many cases collaboration with Building Construction Practitioners and the NDIS's complex modifications team.
What the NDIS Funds
- The OT assessment and report — the clinical documentation required to support the funding request
- The modifications themselves — materials, labour, and installation costs aligned with the approved scope
- Project oversight — OT involvement through planning, build, and post-installation review where required
- Equipment integrated with the modification — such as ceiling hoists, automated door openers, or accessible bathroom fixtures
We work closely with support coordinators, plan managers, builders, and the participant's broader support network to ensure recommendations are evidence-based, costs are realistic, and the build aligns with the clinical brief.
Types of Home Modifications We Recommend
The right modifications depend entirely on the individual — their functional capacity, their goals, and how they use the home. Some clients need a single grab rail; others need a complete bathroom redesign. Common categories of modifications we assess and recommend include:
If you receive a Home Care Package or your modifications are being funded through aged care pathways, visit our dedicated Complex Home Modifications page under our Home Care Services for the HCP-specific service.
Meet Our Home Modifications Team
Home modifications work is delivered by experienced members of our occupational therapy team. Several of our OTs have particular focus areas across NDIS home modifications, complex disability, neurological rehabilitation, dementia care, and assistive technology prescription — which often intersect with home modification work. Full bios and AHPRA registration details for every clinician are available on our Our Clinicians page.
Our team values evidence-based, person-centred, and culturally safe practice. Recommendations are grounded in the participant's actual environment and the activities they need to do safely — not generic templates or one-size-fits-all solutions.
Why Choose Ability Rehab for Home Modifications?
Choosing the right OT for home modifications matters. The quality of the clinical recommendation directly shapes what the NDIS will fund, how well the build aligns with the participant's actual needs, and whether the modifications deliver the safety and independence improvements they're meant to.
Clients and referrers choose Ability Rehab because we offer:
- Experienced occupational therapists with deep NDIS reporting experience
- Coverage of both minor and complex home modifications
- Coordination with builders and other trades through to installation
- Clear, evidence-based clinical reporting aligned with NDIS requirements
- Post-installation review to confirm modifications work as intended
- Registered NDIS provider with experience across NDIA-managed, plan-managed, and self-managed participants
Home Modifications – Frequently Asked Questions
What are home modifications and how do they help?
Home modifications are physical changes to a person's home — to layout, fixtures, fittings, or structure — that improve safety, access, and independence. They can range from minor additions like grab rails and threshold ramps through to complex structural changes like bathroom redesigns or doorway widening. The right modifications depend on the person's functional needs, the activities they want to do safely, and the environment they're working with. An occupational therapist's role is to assess all of these together and recommend modifications that will work in practice.
Does the NDIS fund home modifications?
Yes. Home modifications are a funded support under the NDIS where they are considered reasonable and necessary for the participant. Funding covers the OT assessment and report, the modifications themselves, project oversight where required, and equipment integrated with the modification. Both minor and complex modifications can be funded, with different evidence and reporting requirements for each. Our OT team prepares the clinical reports required to support the funding request.
What's the difference between minor and complex home modifications under the NDIS?
Minor home modifications are non-structural changes that fall under the NDIS minor modifications threshold — grab rails, hand-held shower heads, lever taps, threshold ramps, raised toilet seats, and similar. They generally don't require structural alteration or council approval, and the reporting and approval process is lighter and faster. Complex home modifications involve structural change — bathroom redesigns, doorway widening, level access showers, ramps with engineering input, kitchen reconfiguration, major access alterations. These require more rigorous OT reporting, detailed clinical justification, builder quotes, and often collaboration with the NDIS's complex modifications team.
How long does the home modifications process take?
It varies significantly by modification type. A minor modification can move from referral to installation in a matter of weeks. Complex modifications typically take several months, sometimes longer, because of the assessment, reporting, quoting, NDIS approval, and build timelines involved. We work to keep things moving as quickly as practical, but realistic expectations matter — complex modifications are a process, not a single visit.
Can home modifications be done in a rental property?
Yes, with some additional considerations. Rental properties require the landlord's written consent before modifications are made, and the modifications may need to be removable or returned to their original state when the tenancy ends. Minor, non-structural modifications are generally easier to install in rentals than complex structural changes. Our OT can support clients through the conversation with landlords and document modifications in a way that supports both the participant's needs and the property owner's requirements.
Do home modifications need council approval?
Most minor modifications do not require council approval. Complex modifications involving structural change, external alterations, or significant building work may require building permits or council approval depending on the scope and the local council. Builders typically take the lead on permits and approvals as part of the build process, but our OT report and recommendations help inform what level of approval will be needed.
What types of home modifications can an OT recommend?
Occupational therapists routinely assess and recommend modifications across bathrooms (accessible showers, grab rails, raised toilets, level access), kitchens (bench heights, accessible storage, lever taps), access to the home (ramps, platform lifts, wider doorways), inside the home (doorway widening, ceiling hoists, flooring changes), automation and smart home technology (voice control, automated door openers, smart locks), and minor modifications (grab rails, non-slip surfaces, transfer aids). The recommendations are always grounded in the person's functional needs and the activities they want to do safely.
How do I get started with a home modifications assessment?
The simplest way to get started is to submit a referral via our Make a Referral page or call us on 0478 491 188. We'll then have an initial conversation by phone or telehealth to understand what's prompting the referral, what the home environment looks like, and what funding pathway is in place. From there, we arrange the in-home assessment with a suitable OT. Our admin team can also help navigate NDIS-related paperwork and coordination with support coordinators.