4.5.19.3 Review request for home modifications
When an Agent receives a request for home modifications they are required to:
- send an acknowledgement letter to the worker
- engage an occupational therapist.
Engage an occupational therapist
Upon receipt of a major request for home modifications the Agent must engage an occupational therapist to assess the worker’s home. The occupational therapist is required to complete a home assessment report and provide it to the Agent after identifying any modifications required for the worker to effectively access or function within the home.
The assessment report is to provide information outlining the:
- worker’s current home environment
- worker’s functional level
- expected issues with the current environment.
Establish ownership of home
Confirm status of ownership of the home by obtaining a copy of the title or rates notice.
If the worker resides in a home that they do not own, obtain written approval from the homeowner for the proposed modifications.
| Ownership status | Agent action |
|---|---|
| Private rental housing |
Before any modifications are commenced, written approval must be obtained from the landlord. Usually WorkSafe will only approve minor modifications to private rental properties, as the length of time the worker will reside in the property is undetermined. If major modifications are to be completed, the workers must secure a minimum 12 month lease. The agreement must advise the home owner that if modifications proceed he or she will be required to sign a Capital Service Agreement. |
| Public rental housing |
If a worker resided in an Office of Housing property before their work-related injury or illness and major modifications are required, an alternative already modified Office of Housing property may be sought. Contact should be made as early as possible with the worker’s housing officer at the local Office of Housing branch. Requests for home modifications to public rental housing need to be considered on a case by case basis. Agents must notify the WorkSafe Equipment team at equipment@worksafe.vic.gov.au as soon as a request to modify public rental housing is received. |
Review assessment report
Based on the Home Modification Assessment the Agent must determine:
- if the injuries are permanent/stable and
- which modifications are required due to the 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 and
- whether the home is structurally able to be modified.
If it is determined that the home cannot be reasonably modified, the Agent should advise the worker of the alternatives, which include:
-
Agent contribution towards a semi-detached unit for the worker, or
-
contribution to relocation costs (including real estate agent and removalist fees) to enable the worker to move to a suitable home or a home that is able to be suitably modified.
If the worker refuses to accept an alternative, the Agent may contact the WorkSafe equipment team at equipment@worksafe.vic.gov.au.
Appoint a building project manager
A Building Project Manager (BPM) must be appointed when the proposed modifications will exceed $50,000. Agents can also engage a BPM if the proposed modifications are less than $50,000 but are complex in nature and require additional support or oversight.
The building modifications process involves the following phases:
- plan project – from referral to a BPM Building Project Manager to approval of the project plan.
- prepare documentation and specifications – from approval of project plan to approval of final plans.
- engage builder – from approval to BPM to request builder tenders to BPM receiving a signed builder’s contract.
- manage the builder – from commencement of the building works to Agent signoff of the final project summary.
Agents should contact the WorkSafe Equipment Team at equipment@worksafe.vic.gov.au for a list of approved BPMs.
How a building project manager can help
A BPM can be engaged at any time during the home modification process, the BPM can help to establish:
- cost of modifications
- age and condition of home
- general repair needs (owner’s responsibility) required before modification
- materials required
- design, structure and size of dwelling
- surrounding terrain
- relevant National Trust building regulations
- relevant Australian standards
- possible options to modifications
- local planning regulations
- any building permits that may be required.
What a building project manager will provide
Building Project Managers will provide Agents with information regarding:
- the building panel’s fees
- disbursements (surveyor’s fees, council permits, architectural drawings)
- building costs (cost of modifications).
Once a BPM has been selected the Agent will confirm the appointment in writing to both the BPM and the worker.
The Agent must approve the BPM’s hours of work. As an initial guide the Agent should consider funding up to 15 hours from the initial referral to approval of the project plan. Subsequent hours as outlines in the plan should be approved as required.