4.5.19.2 What WorkSafe will pay for

Reasonable costs

An occupational therapist and/or building modifications project manager will assess and make recommendations regarding the suitability of a home to be modified having regard to the following factors:

  • the structural suitability of the home to be modified, including size, age, design, surrounding terrain and condition of the dwelling
  • the extent of the modifications needed to address the worker’s restrictions
  • whether the costs of modifications is likely to exceed the value of the home in which the worker resides
  • building materials required for the modifications
  • local planning regulations/building permits
  • the ability of the Agent to negotiate any necessary agreement or consent required on modifications with the owners or the Body Corporate. Other negotiations may need to take place with the Department of Housing or the Senior Master’s Office
  • any complex, unique or unusual circumstances associated with the modifications
  • relevant national trust building regulations
  • relevant Australian standards, including Australian standards for disability and access (refer to the Australian Building Codes Board website)
  • permission of the owner, the Department of Housing or the Body Corporate to temporarily or permanently undertake modifications to the dwelling.

Please note: In cases of late claim acceptance, the Agent will consider these factors in determining whether to reimburse the reasonable costs of home modifications if already completed.

Worker’s home cannot be reasonably modified

If, for any reason, a worker resides in a home that cannot be reasonably modified, the Agent can contribute a reasonable amount towards an alternative housing option to purchase a semi-detachable portable unit.

The Agent can also contribute a reasonable amount towards a worker’s relocation costs to another suitable home or home that is capable of being reasonably modified.

See: 4.5.19.4 Determine reasonable home modifications

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WorkSafe will pay for

Worker's home is a rental property and cannot be reasonably modified

If the worker resides in a rental property that cannot be reasonably modified, the Agent can pay for the assistance in finding a more suitable property. This assistance may include the reasonable costs of an assessment and report by an occupational therapist, real estate Agent fees and removalist costs.

If a more suitable rental property cannot be located, the Agent can consider contributing a reasonable amount towards home modifications required to a new home – in such cases, an occupational therapist must review the selected property in order to identify suitable residential options.

Worker chooses to build a new home or move into another home

If a worker chooses to move into another home, they must take into consideration their injury-related requirements. It would not be considered reasonable for a worker with significant functional limitations to move into a home where substantial modifications need to be undertaken to allow reasonable access to the home.

The Agent can consider paying the reasonable difference between the cost of building the home and the costs of disability-specific needs. For example, the cost difference between a standard bathroom and a disability accessible bathroom.

In such cases, an occupational therapist must review the selected property in order to identify suitable residential options.

Modifications for a secondary home which the worker concurrently resides in

If the worker requests modifications for a secondary home for which they concurrently reside in, the Agent can consider:

  • the nature and extent of home modifications to the primary residence or any other previous home modification approved by them
  • the anticipated amount of time that the worker is expected to spend in the secondary residence
  • the suitability of the home to be modified.

More than one home modification

When considering a request for subsequent home modifications, the Agent must have regard to the appropriateness of the next home for modification and the:

  • amount of time the worker occupied their previous residence
  • cost and extent of all prior home modifications paid for
  • financial impact on the worker as a consequence of selling their previously modified home.

The Agent can consider paying for more than one home modification if:

  • the worker is required to move location to access employment
  • the worker is required to move location to access services more readily
  • deterioration occurs in the worker’s health because of work-related injuries or illnesses and
  • other circumstances occur which are consistent with community standards.

Whilst a worker’s housing choice and the need to change residences from time to time is acknowledged, it is not considered reasonable for a worker with significant functional limitations to move to a home where substantial modifications needed to be undertaken to allow reasonable access.

In such cases, an occupational therapist must review the selected property in order to identify suitable residential options.

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Short-term alternative housing

The provision of short-term alternative housing costs whilst home modifications are underway may be considered.

If the worker is unable to access their usual home during the home modification process, the Agent may consider assisting with the reasonable costs of short-term alternative housing. Examples of short-term housing costs include a short-term stay in an accessible rental property, hotel, motel or service apartment.

Air-conditioning/evaporative cooling and heating

The Agent can pay for the reasonable costs of air conditioning/evaporative cooling and heating for a worker with impaired thermoregulation in line with the criteria outlined in the Equipment and related services policy.

Maintenance/repair costs for the completed home modifications

The Agent can pay for reasonable cost of maintenance and repair of the home modifications completed in relation to the worker’s work-related injuries or illnesses only. For example - for the maintenance/replacement of a ramp or hand rail.

In cases of faulty workmanship, maintenance/repairs remain the responsibility of the tradesperson or company and not the Agent.

WorkSafe will not pay for
  • home modifications for a person other than the worker
  • home modifications unrelated to the worker’s needs arising from the work-related injury or illness
  • home modifications required as a result of a condition that existed before a work-related injury or illness or that are not a direct result of a work-related injury or illness
  • home modifications where the owner, a Body Corporate or other responsible authority has not given permission for the modifications
  • home modifications over $10,000 where the Capital Services Agreement is not signed by the worker and/or home owner
  • contribution to or payment of the purchase price of a residence
  • upgrades of any materials requested for home modifications
  • any space that does not directly contribute to the worker’s medical needs, such as a bedroom for an attendant carer or a quiet room for a worker to spend time away from family
  • new items where the original items are suitable for recycling
  • furnishings, such as furniture, tableware, linens and decorative objects
  • rent, with the exception of short-term rent whilst home modifications are underway
  • items or labour not included in the final contract for modifications agreed to by the Agent
  • home modifications for a house outside the Commonwealth of Australia
  • home modifications to a dwelling that is not structurally suitable to be modified
  • the unreasonable costs of home modifications.

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