Creating a home that feels safe, comfortable, and supportive of your daily life is important for everyone. For someone living with a disability, the right home layout can make a big difference to their independence, wellbeing, and confidence. This is where complex home modifications may come in.
If you are a NDIS participant, a family member, or a Support Coordinator helping someone find the right home modification solutions, this guide will help you understand what complex home modifications are, how they work, and what to expect throughout the journey.
What are complex home modifications?
Complex home modifications under the NDIS are a significant change to the structure of a home. These modifications are created to support a person’s daily activities, safety, mobility, and independence.
Under the NDIS, home modifications fall into two categories:
Minor Modifications
Minor modifications are small adjustments that cost between $0 to $20,000 that improve safety or make everyday tasks a little easier. These may include simple changes that do not affect the structure of the home. There are two categories of minor home modifications:
- Category A minor home modifications cost under $10,000
- Category B minor home modifications cost between $10,000 and $20,000
Complex Home Modifications
Complex home modifications involve larger changes to the home that are tailored to meet specific accessibility and safety needs. These projects require more detailed planning and coordination and are designed to create long-term improvements that support independence and everyday living.
Complex home modifications have two key features:
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Structural work – It involves structural changes to the home, such as remodelling a bathroom, widening doorways, or installing a lift.
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Cost threshold – It is usually categorised as a major modification if it costs more than $20,000 due to the extent of work required. Because of their size and complexity, these modifications often require formal building plans, approvals, and licensed tradespeople such as builders, plumbers, or electricians. Occupational therapists are uniquely skilled to assess and recommend both minor and complex home modifications to support a person’s everyday living.
Examples of complex home modifications
Each person’s home and their individual needs are unique, so these modifications are custom-built to suit their needs. Some common examples include:
Bathroom Remodelling
A bathroom can be redesigned to offer safer access. This may include:
- Enlarging the doorway to fit a mobility aid
- Creating a level-access shower
- Allowing room for a shower chair or commode in the shower or over the toilet
This may give greater safety, comfort and independence.
Kitchen remodelling
The layout of a kitchen can be adjusted so everyday tasks are easier and safer. Examples include:
- Lowering benchtops
- Relocating appliances
- Improving access to cupboards
These changes may support independence and confidence when preparing meals.
Access solutions
Improving access for a person may involve reviewing the flow of movement inside their home, as well as exterior changes, that make it easier for them to enter, leave and move around the home.
This may include installing:
- A lift
- Ceiling hoists
- Stair lifts
- A ramp
- Widening doorways
These changes may allow a person to move safely around different areas of their home.
New builds
When a new home is being built, early planning stages could consider the addition of:
- Wider doorways
- Level entryways
- Reinforced walls for grab rails
- Integrated lifts
- Home automation systems
These modifications are designed to create long-term improvements that support independence and everyday living.
What to expect with complex home modifications and how OTs support this process?
Complex home modifications through the NDIS help make a home safer, more accessible, and easier to live in. Because these changes are significant, the process is detailed and must be supported by an Occupational Therapist (OT). You cannot access NDIS funding for complex home modifications without an OT.
Here’s what the process usually looks like and how an OT supports you at each step.
1) OT Assessment
The process starts with an OT visiting the home. The OT takes time to understand the person’s disability, daily activities, goals, and any safety or access challenges in the home. They look at how the person moves around, uses rooms, and manages everyday tasks.
If they are moving into a new home, the OT may visit the property to check if it is suitable and safe to modify.
2) OT Reports and Planning
After the assessment, the OT writes detailed reports. These reports may include a proposal that the OT then sends on to a building professional so that a quote can be obtained. Other reports include reporting to the NDIS to explain why changes are needed and how they will support safety, independence, and daily living. These reports are required by the NDIS.
If home modification funding is not already included in the NDIS plan, the OT will prepare a report to request this funding. If funding is already available, the OT measures the space and plans what changes are needed alongside building professionals.
3) NDIS Funding and Approvals
After the quote from the builder has been received and the detailed NDIS report has been written, the OT submits the reports to the NDIS and helps guide the approval process. The NDIS looks at whether the modifications are related to the person’s disability, whether they represent value for money, and whether they support the individual to live well in their home.
If the home is rented, landlord approval may also be required before work can begin.
4) Collaborating with Builders
Once funding is approved, the OT collaborates with builders and other professionals. The OT arranges site visits, guides approval processes, monitors progress and inspects completed work to ensure everything meets the person’s goals, needs, and NDIS requirements.
5) Timeframes and Temporary Housing
Complex home modifications may take some time to be approved by the NDIS, once approved it may then take a while for the building professionals to complete the modifications, depending on the work involved. In some cases, the person may need to stay somewhere else while the work is being completed. The OT helps plan for this so safety and function are maintained.
6) Final Check and Sign-off
Once the work is finished, the OT completes a final visit. They check that the modifications are safe, usable, and support the person’s independence as planned.
Why people and support coordinators choose Better Rehab for complex home modifications?
At Better Rehab, our OTs and multidisciplinary teams bring strong NDIS knowledge and a thorough understanding of what is needed to secure funding to support complex home modifications. We can help Support Coordinators simplify the complex home modifications processes while ensuring each person’s goals at the centre of each home modification.
1) Strong NDIS Expertise
Better Rehab’s OTs understand the NDIS expectations for complex home modifications and know how to prepare clear, clinically justified reports that give decision-makers confidence in the proposed changes. All complex home modifications are overseen by qualified OTs who are specially trained in-home modifications and meet NDIS requirements, including the training qualifications of CPPACC4020 and CPPACC5016.
They also collaborate with builders familiar with NDIS processes and timelines, helping to reduce delays and improve the likelihood of timely approval. This streamlined approach benefits both support coordinators and persons.
2) End-to-End Support
Our OT’s put people first. A person receives support from the first assessment through to the final inspection. The OT begins by conducting a thorough initial assessment that considers the person’s function, home environment and goals, then develops personalised recommendations and a concept of works.
The OT collaborates with architects, builders, and trades, ensuring the team understands the person’s goals. Once funding is approved and work starts the OT will check the progress and inspect the outcome to ensure it meets the person’s needs.
3) Mandatory Assessment and Clinical Recommendation
Their detailed reports include precise measurements and design needs, creating a strong basis for NDIS decision-making.
4) Securing NDIS Funding and Ensuring Value
The OT develops complex home modifications reports showing why each change is reasonable, necessary, and aligned with the person’s goals. This includes the concept of works and builder quotes.
They also consider value for money, comparing options and balancing functional benefit with cost, helping to ensure the most effective use of funding.
5) Trusted Builder Partnerships
Better Rehab works with skilled builders experienced in disability-related home modifications. These builders are known for respectful communication, cost-effective quotes, and high-quality workmanship.
Their experience helps ensure modifications reflect both functional requirements and personal preferences, supporting independence and daily comfort.
6) Guiding Structural Changes and Ensuring Successful Outcomes
Better Rehab’s OTs help translate functional needs into clear design solutions. They work closely with designers and builders to ensure plans support daily activities and maximise safety.
Creating a home that helps you live the life you choose
Complex home modifications can transform the way a person lives each day. Whether the modification involves accessible bathrooms, safer entryways, or easier movement around the home, the right design can support your goals and daily routines.
With support from experienced OTs and a team who understands the NDIS, home modifications become a clear and achievable pathway towards greater independence.
To learn more about how Better Rehab can support you through Home Modifications and Occupational Therapy services, visit our service pages.
