Home Modifications and Occupational Therapy: Creating Safe, Accessible Spaces with NDIS Support

A person’s home should be a place of comfort, safety, and independence. But for many people living with disability, everyday features of the home—like doorways, showers, or steps—can become barriers to freedom and function.

That’s where home modifications come in.

At South Coast Therapy & Support Group, our occupational therapists work closely with clients and families to assess, recommend, and help implement changes that make living spaces safer, more accessible, and better aligned with individual goals.

In this blog, we’ll explore what home modifications involve, how OTs support the process, and how these changes are funded through the NDIS.

What Are Home Modifications?

Home modifications are structural or design changes made to a home to increase safety, accessibility, and independence for a person with disability.

They can range from minor updates to major renovations, such as:

• Grab rails or handrails in bathrooms or hallways

• Step-free access (e.g. ramps, widened doorways)

• Installation of handheld showers or height-adjustable benches

• Relocation of light switches or taps for easier reach

• Kitchen and laundry redesigns for wheelchair access

• Accessible toilets and shower areas with non-slip flooring

These changes are personalised to meet your needs—no two homes or people are exactly alike.

How Occupational Therapists Support Home Modifications

Occupational therapists are central to the home modification process. We:

1. Conduct a Functional Assessment

We visit your home to assess how you move around, complete tasks, and what barriers are impacting your independence or safety.

2. Develop Recommendations

Based on your goals, we recommend modifications that can:

• Prevent falls or injuries

• Reduce reliance on carers

• Support mobility equipment (e.g. wheelchairs or walkers)

• Improve access to essential rooms and routines

3. Collaborate with Builders and Designers

We work alongside qualified builders, home modification specialists, and suppliers to ensure the design meets both your functional needs and NDIS standards.

4. Prepare NDIS Reports

We complete:

• Detailed assessment reports

• Quotes and justifications

• Risk assessments and floor plans (with support from builder reports)

  
  

  These documents support funding applications under the Capital – Home Modifications category of your NDIS plan.

Who Are Home Mods For?

Home modifications may be suitable for people with:

• Mobility challenges (e.g. wheelchair users or those with unsteady gait)

• Sensory sensitivities or cognitive conditions affecting safety

• Progressive conditions (e.g. MS, Parkinson’s)

• Age-related physical decline

• Brain injuries, spinal injuries, or limb loss

If your home isn’t meeting your needs—whether due to stairs, slippery surfaces, or inaccessible bathrooms—OT-led modifications can improve daily life dramatically.

What’s Funded Through the NDIS?

NDIS funding for home modifications typically includes:

• OT assessment and reporting

• Builder consultation and design

• Materials, labour, and equipment

• Ongoing review or follow-up (especially for progressive conditions)

We’ll help you work with your support coordinator or plan manager to gather quotes, submit documentation, and follow up on approvals.

Your Home, Your Independence

At South Coast Therapy & Support Group, we believe that your home should work for you—not the other way around. Whether it’s a small safety tweak or a full bathroom redesign, we’re here to guide you every step of the way with compassion, care, and professionalism.

Ready to Make Your Home Safer and More Accessible?

Our occupational therapists are available for home assessments and NDIS-funded recommendations throughout the Shoalhaven and Illawarra regions.

Join our waitlist today to get started with a home modification assessment or to speak with one of our experienced OTs.