How are Falls Alarms & Subscriptions managed under Support at Home?

Are falls alarms allowed under Support at Home?

Yes. A falls alarm can be funded when it is needed for your safety and is included in your support plan.

What do I need to get one?

You will need:

an assessment showing you need the alarm, and

a prescription from a qualified health professional.

Do I pay for it from my regular (quarterly) budget?

No. Falls alarms come from a separate assistive technology funding pool, not your regular quarterly services budget.

What about monitoring or subscription fees?

Some alarms have an ongoing monitoring fee (sometimes called a subscription). This is paid out of the Assistive Technology funds, not the quarterly budget.

If there is a fee, it must be clearly written into your service agreement and budget, and agreed with you before it starts.

Do I have to contribute to the cost?

You may need to pay a contribution towards the cost of the alarm. The amount depends on your financial assessment and is worked out by Services Australia.

You do not pay contributions for the clinical assessment or prescription.

Why do I need an ongoing falls assessment to keep my monitoring subscription?

If your falls alarm includes an ongoing monitoring subscription under Support at Home, Local Guardians may ask for an updated falls risk assessment before approving or renewing the subscription. This is to confirm that the alarm is still the most suitable option for you based on your assessed needs and wellbeing, and that it continues to meet the Support at Home funding requirements.

These reviews are usually completed as part of your regular care planning process, or sooner if your circumstances change, such as after a fall, hospital admission, change in mobility, change in cognition, or change in your informal supports. 

If an updated assessment is needed, your care advisor will discuss this with you and guide you through the process.

If I have unspent Home Care Package (HCP) funds, is it different?

Yes. If you have unspent HCP funds, those funds are used first to pay for the alarm (and any agreed ongoing fees) before any new assistive technology funding is used.

What fees can the provider charge?

Local Guardians applies 10% on the assessment/prescription invoice – with a maximum of $500.

Smartwatches with fall detection

A smartwatch is not always funded. It may only be considered if it is clearly needed for safety and is approved in your support plan. Ongoing mobile plans or data fees are usually not covered unless they are part of an approved safety service.