4.5.19.1 Request for home modifications

Requests for home modifications can be initiated by any party, worker, family, medical and health practitioners, hospital but the actual home modification recommendations must be submitted by occupational therapists (OTs Occupational therapists (OTs) help people of all ages to improve their ability to perform tasks in their daily living and working environments. They work with individuals who have conditions that are mentally, physically, developmentally, socially or emotionally disabling. They also help them to develop, recover or maintain daily living and work skills. Occupational therapists help clients not only to improve their basic motor functions and reasoning abilities but also to compensate for permanent loss of function. Occupational therapists assist clients in performing activities of all types, ranging from using a computer to caring for daily needs such as dressing, cooking and eating. Physical exercises may be used to increase strength and dexterity, while other activities may be chosen to improve visual acuity and the ability to discern patterns.).

The request for home modifications should be received from:

  • hospital OTs (prior to discharge from rehabilitation hospital)
  • community OTs (post discharge from rehabilitation or other hospital).
Rental property

A rental property is a home where rent is paid to a private owner, the Ministry of Housing or a statutory organisation.

Semi-detached portable unit

A semi-detached portable unit is a building that can be positioned on vacant land/space close to the main residence. It only includes facilities specifically used by the worker which cannot be accessed or modified within the home.

Relocation costs

Relocation costs are the reasonable costs for a worker to move from one home to another due to the work related compensable injury.

Relocation costs for a worker who is relocating to a suitable home or home that is capable of being reasonably modified include:

  • reasonable costs associated with a house sale (e.g. real estate fees, stamp duty, advertising costs, legal services)
  • bank fees limited to the relocation process
  • furniture removal
  • interim rental accommodation
  • costs of assessment and report to locate an appropriate home by an appropriately qualified third party approved by the Agent – (e.g. occupational therapist or building project manager).

Relocation costs for a worker who is relocating from a rental property to another rental property include:

  • reasonable costs payable for the requirement to breaking the tenancy agreement early
  • furniture removal
  • end of lease cleaning expenses, and
  • the costs of an assessment and report to locate an appropriate rental property by an appropriately qualified third party approved by the Agent.

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Determine eligibility for home modifications

Eligibility for home modifications is determined by the worker’s need to reasonably access and complete functional activities within their home as a result of the workplace injury or illness.

Factors for consideration include:

  • whether the home in which the worker resides is structurally suitable for modification
  • the nature of the worker’s work-related An injury/disease is work related if it arose out of or in the course of employment and the scope of employment. injury or illness
  • how the worker’s work-related injury or illness restricts or is likely to restrict the worker’s ability to:
  • enter and leave the home in which the worker resides
  • move about the home for necessary purposes
  • the extent of the modifications that will be needed to address those restrictions or likely restrictions
  • any complex, unique or unusual circumstances associated with those modifications
  • whether the cost of the modifications is likely to exceed the value of the home in which the worker resides.
Information to approve a home modification

The following information is required to approve a home modification:

  • an assessment and report in relation to the home modification needs on a WorkSafe approved form by an occupational therapist and
  • in the case of major modifications, a report prepared by a BPM Building Project Manager appointed by WorkSafe.

The report from the occupational therapist and where applicable, the BPM must take into account:

  • clinical justification for the modifications considering all options available
  • Australian standards for disability and access (refer to the Australian Building Codes Board website)
  • current building regulations and
  • consultations undertaken with the worker and/or their authorised representative.
Worker with a significant long-term physical, sensory or cognitive disability

Reasonable home modifications are those that allow the worker access to the following areas of the home:

  • the physical dwelling
  • a bathroom
  • a bedroom
  • a living/dining area
  • a kitchen or basic cooking facilities (for workers who fully or partially prepare their own food or beverages).

Other examples of home modifications that can be considered include:

  • structural modifications, (e.g. door widening, bathroom modification). Where possible, existing materials will be re-used and replacement of items, where appropriate, will be with equivalent materials, and
  • changes to fittings or layout (e.g. installation of rails, installation of portable ramps and provision of equipment).

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