We’re here to help you get your life back on track after your transport accident.  To help with your independence and access to your home, we can pay for reasonable changes to its structure, layout or fittings (known as home modifications) when they are needed because of your transport accident injuries. This may include creating safe access to parts of your home.

There are differences between home modifications and home renovations. If you decide to complete a home renovation, for example to:

• make your home new again, or
• repair or restore your home to good condition, or
• alter the layout of your home, and

these renovations are not needed as a result of your transport accident injuries we cannot pay for them.

What home modifications we will pay for

We will pay for:

• Simple home modifications, such as a handrail or an access ramp.
• More complex modifications, involving major building/structural work, such as widening doorways or installing stepless showers.

For equipment that can easily be installed, such as grab rails, see our Equipment policy.

For your safety, we need to make sure that it is reasonable to modify your home.

We can only consider modifications to the parts of your home you need reasonable access to, for example:

• To enter and leave your home
• Bathroom
• Bedroom
• Living area
• Dining room
• Kitchen or basic cooking facilities, when you are involved with the preparation of your own food

We will consider modifications to your primary residence only where you intend to remain living at this residence ongoing. This primary residence may be an existing home you own or rent, or a new home you intend to build.

If you live in a rental home, we will need the agreement of the property owner before any modifications can take place. We will consider how much time you spend at the home when we work out a reasonable amount we can pay for the construction of the home modification.

We can consider the reasonable modifications to a holiday home, secondary place of residence or a caravan where you need access (for example, if you are a child under a shared custody arrangement who needs to access separate residences).

In some circumstances, we may approve home modifications as a multi-step process in stages (for example, installing a ramp and rails and removing your shower screen to enable you to return home safely from hospital). Once you are home, we can review any additional home modification needs.

Modifications to a rental home

If you lived in a rental property before your accident, we can consider minor modifications to the rental property. We need the agreement of the property owner before any modifications can start. In general, we will only approve minor modifications to private rental properties because we don’t know how long you will live there. If you have, or can enter a three-year lease, we will consider the approval of minor modifications.

If modifications are made to a rental home and you leave the home, we are responsible (if requested) to return the rental property to the original condition.

If the home is not suitable for modification, an alternative private rental property should be sourced. In those circumstances, the occupational therapist should assess and review the home before you sign the lease to make sure that it will meet your needs.

Moving to a new home

If you choose to move to a new home or build a new home, you must take into consideration your transport accident injuries, the home design(s) and location of the new property to ensure it meets your needs.

If you move to a new home that cannot be reasonably modified, we cannot approve or pay the cost of the modifications. For example, if you choose to move to a multiple level home that requires a lift, we will not pay this cost.

If you choose to build a new home, we may pay the difference in cost for modifications that are disability specific and relate to your transport accident injury related needs, allowing you to be independent and safe in your home (for example, widening the door opening for access and greater mobility).

To make sure that the new home you choose is appropriate, we encourage you to contact us as soon as you can so that we can help. We will work with your treating team and occupational therapist to make sure that the home you are moving to or building can be reasonably modified and meets your accident injury needs.

Moving after your original home has been modified

If you choose to move home after your original home has been modified and the new home needs modification, we will consider many factors when deciding whether we will contribute to the cost:

• If the new home is appropriate to meet your needs related to your transport accident injury
• The amount we paid for previous home modifications
• The reasonableness of the frequency of home modifications due to relocation or changes of ownership
• The purpose of the home modifications

If you are considering moving after your home has been modified, please contact us to discuss your options.

Alternatives to home modifications

In some circumstances your home may not be suitable for modification. This includes circumstances where the value of the modifications is more than the value of your residence.

In these circumstances:

• We can pay the necessary reasonable cost to relocate you to another home that is suitable and capable of being reasonably modified (see ‘Moving to a new home’ above).

• Alternatively, we can consider contributing a reasonable amount towards the cost of a semi-detachable portable unit that can be placed on the property of your main residence.

In some circumstances, home modifications (particularly things like structural work) may not be possible, safe or reasonable. This might be due to the appropriateness of your home or your individual circumstances.  These circumstances will be identified by the project manager, builder or other relevant party.

Where a modification cannot be made due to illegality, access issues or where the cost of overcoming these issues is more than the value of your home, we will look at other potential reasonable solutions.

Temporary accommodation

If needed, we can consider paying for temporary accommodation while your home is being modified.

We can only pay for temporary accommodation when the building works are being undertaken. This excludes the period during which you are choosing to buy land and build a new home.

We can only fund temporary accommodation during the building works that are funded by the TAC.

Temporary accommodation is generally paid for in circumstances where you need to vacate your home while the construction works are being completed. This includes paying the reasonable cost of short- to medium-term accommodation in an accessible property, hotel, motel or serviced apartment. We are only able to pay for the accommodation costs, including parking costs.  We are unable to pay for other costs associated with your temporary accommodation (e.g. food, utility costs, household or personal items or a bond).

We can only continue to pay for temporary accommodation while you are participating and engaging with the TAC home modifications process, to ensure that your home modifications are completed in a reasonable time (for example, timely review and approval of your home modification designs to enable the construction works to proceed).  If we have concerns about your participation, we will let you know in writing and tell you what you need to do so that we can continue to pay for temporary accommodation.  If you don’t meet these requirements, we may stop paying for temporary accommodation.

We will consider the recommendations of the occupational therapist in assessing suitable temporary accommodation, but you will need to get approval from us to pay for any temporary accommodation costs before you move in.

Examples of types of home modifications

External covered transfer area

If, because of your transport accident injuries, you are unable to control your body temperature and you use a wheelchair, we can consider the reasonable cost of a covered transfer area from your vehicle to your wheelchair.

We may also consider a covered walkway to access your home if you are unable to control your body temperature.

If you are ambulant, we cannot contribute to either a transfer area or a covered walkway.

Heating and cooling

If, because of your transport accident injuries, you are unable to control your body temperature, we can consider the reasonable cost of a reverse cycle split system to your bedroom and main living area.

Home automation

We can consider paying the reasonable cost of necessary home automation modifications when you need them due to your transport injuries, and when these modifications will clinically increase your independence and your ability to complete functional activities.

Laws and regulations

Home modifications are subject to the regular laws, regulations and rules that govern home renovation and construction including:

• Building Code of Australia
• Australian Standards for Disability & Access
• Liveable Housing Design Guide
• Domestic Building Contracts Act 1995
• Building Act 1993
• Project Development and Construction Management Act 1994

We cannot pay for any modifications that do not meet these rules, regulations and laws.

How the process works

The first thing to do is to contact us.

If your existing home needs to be modified, or you chose to build a new home, we can allocate a dedicated TAC home modifications representative to support you.

Undertaking structural modifications to your existing home or building a new home can be a complex process. The TAC home modifications representative will be your contact person to help you navigate the home modifications process to get the best outcome.

We use project management companies to manage your home modifications or provide guidance and support to assist you to complete your home modifications in a timely manner.

Option 1: Project managed home modification

The TAC home modifications representative will arrange a project manager and an experienced occupational therapist to work with you to assess your needs. The project manager will prepare a project plan, choose a suitable builder and oversee the design and build of the modifications to your existing home.

Your TAC-appointed project manager will also:

• Conduct regular site visits,
• Arrange designs and explain them to you, so that you understand how your home will change, and
• Engage a builder after a quote or tender process.

The project manager will need you to sign off the designs and sign the building contract. They will keep you informed of the schedule for the delivery of your modifications and ensure the quality of the work and compliance with any applicable laws or regulations.

Once the modifications are completed, the project manager will conduct a final inspection, which the TAC home modifications representative may also attend (if required). It’s important that you attend this final inspection meeting to make sure that you are happy with the modifications.

For further information please see the TAC managed home modifications brochure.

Option 2: Guided self–managed home modification

We understand there are instances where you may want to self-manage the process of modifications to your existing home or new home build, particularly where you wish to choose your own builder. In this instance, the TAC home modifications representative can arrange an experienced occupational therapist to work with you and your builder to assess your individual needs. We can support your builder and occupational therapist and can engage a project manager to ensure your home can be reasonably modified and to determine the Scope of Works to be undertaken by your builder to ensure the home modification meets your needs.

Because the transport accident injury related modifications are not being completed under the management of a TAC-contracted project manager, you or your builder are responsible for the project management of all building works, which includes the TAC-funded items.

It is also your responsibility to make sure your building works are compliant with all relevant authorities.

The following resources can be helpful in the self-managed process:

• An Information sheet to help guide you to manage your home modification with your builder
• The Liveable Housing Design Guidelines to assist your builder to ensure the home modification meets the design elements for maximum flexibility and adaptability of your home.

The occupational therapist

The TAC home modifications representative will generally arrange a meeting at your home and organise a joint consultation with an occupational therapist so they can assess your home modification needs, goals and desired outcomes. The site visit will ideally be arranged so that the builder and a TAC project manager can also attend.

The occupational therapist will:

• Assess your situation, the suitability of your existing or new home build in the context of your injuries
• Consider the suitability of your current residence or plans for your new build
• Provide a detailed report to us that outlines your modification needs for you to maximise your independence within the home related to your injuries.
• Make recommendations about what modifications are needed

Once we have reviewed the occupational therapy report we will discuss the proposed modification recommendations and the modification process options with you.

If you choose to self-manage the home modification process, the project manager will provide guidance to you and your builder to develop a Scope of Works. Once the project manager (or in a guided self-managed approach, your builder) has provided an appropriate quote or cost estimation, we will let you know what modifications have been approved.

After your modifications have been approved

You will receive in writing:

• A formal decision regarding your home modification request
• The relevant documentations
• Details of all the modifications we can approve.

Capital services agreement

You will need to sign a contract called a Capital Services Agreement (CSA) before any work on the modifications can begin. This contract is required when the cost of the modifications are more than the Capital Service Agreement Limit.

The CSA outlines the roles and responsibilities of each party including:

• Frequency of modifications,
• Subsequent modifications, and
• Ownership, including notification of change of ownership.

Under the contractual agreement we are unable to contribute towards the cost of modifying a subsequent home that you own within 8 years after the original modifications, unless there are exceptional circumstances that require you to move.  If this is not the case, you are expected to pay for modifications on your next home yourself.

How much we will pay

We will pay the reasonable cost of

• home modifications, or
• relocation or a semi-detachable portable unit if your home is not capable of being modified.

In determining the funding approval, we will take into account the clinical recommendations of your occupational therapist and treatment team. We must make a decision that is in the context of your transport accident injuries, is clinically justified by the occupational therapist and related to the goals and outcomes you wish to achieve through modification to your home.

If you are renting, we can pay a reasonable amount towards the modifications that you need for your transport accident injuries, taking into account the period of your lease and the permission of your landlord.

Where significant modifications are needed, you may ask for extra work, but if the extra work is not related to your transport accident injury, then you will have to pay for it.

Section 60(4) of the Transport Accident Act 1986 outlines the provisions for home modifications and what the TAC can legally pay for.

What we won’t pay for

We cannot contribute to, or buy, a residence for you. We also cannot pay your rent.

We cannot contribute to your home renovations.

We do not pay for additions to your home, such as pools, spas or landscaping.

We also cannot pay for home modifications that:

• Are for a person other than you
• Are not reasonable, necessary or appropriate
• Are not clinically justified, safe and effective
• Where the owner of a property, body corporate or other responsible authority has not given permission for modifications
• Are illegal or do not comply with the relevant laws, regulations or planning permissions

We do not pay for the connection of services to your modified home.

We do not pay for home maintenance or repairs:

• These include instances where the building works to modify your home identify incidental structural or safety issues that need addressing, such as faulty wiring, plumbing or restumping of the premises.
• Once modifications have been made, it is your responsibility to maintain their condition.  This requires you to take steps to keep the modifications in a safe condition and to avoid damage.

Where you have signed a Capital Service Agreement with us, this agreement outlines your responsibility for ongoing costs and maintenance.

If a modification has been made or installed improperly, the costs associated with repair or to reinstall are the responsibility of the tradesperson or builder.

Rick and Ornella

Darren