Over 65? Your Wheelchair Funding Options (Aged Care + DVA)

Wheelchair Funding if You're Over 65 in Australia: Aged Care and DVA Guide (2026)

Most people don't find this out until they actually need help: if you're over 65, the NDIS won't take your application. The National Disability Insurance Scheme has a hard age cutoff, and once you're past it, you're dealing with a completely different set of programs.

That's frustrating. But it doesn't mean you're stuck paying full price out of your own pocket. There are real funding pathways for wheelchair funding over 65 in Australia — you just need to know which door to knock on.

This guide walks through every option, from My Aged Care wheelchair funding to DVA support, state programs, and a few others most people miss.

Why Can't I Access the NDIS After 65?

The NDIS is built for people who pick up a permanent, significant disability before they turn 65. If you were already an NDIS participant before your 65th birthday, you're fine — you stay on it. But if your mobility problems started after 65 (which is incredibly common), you can't lodge a new application.

There's an exception for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, who can access the NDIS up to age 50. After that, the aged care pathway kicks in at 65 like everyone else.

It's a gap that plenty of advocacy groups are pushing to close. For now, though, here's what's actually available to you.

Your Funding Options at a Glance

Option 1: Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP)

CHSP is the entry-level aged care program. It helps older Australians stay at home with basic support services, and one of those services is assistive technology — including aged care wheelchairs.

How It Works

• CHSP generally provides equipment on a loan basis — you borrow it rather than owning it outright
• Some providers offer a subsidised purchase instead
• Suits basic or short-term wheelchair needs
• Covers manual wheelchairs, walking aids, rollators, and basic mobility equipment

Who's Eligible

• Aged 65 or older (50+ for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people)
• Living at home — not in residential aged care
• Need some help to keep living independently
• Australian citizen or permanent resident

How Much It Covers

CHSP funding for assistive technology is modest. Think of it as the starter tier:

• Basic manual wheelchairs: usually covered in full (loan or subsidy)
• Mid-range wheelchairs: partial subsidy — you'll likely pay a contribution

How to Apply

1. Call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422
2. They'll do a phone screening — about 10–15 minutes going through your situation
3. You get referred for a Regional Assessment Service (RAS) assessment
4. An assessor visits your home to evaluate your needs in person
5. You're matched with a CHSP provider in your area who can supply the equipment

Option 2: Home Care Packages (HCP)

Home Care Packages are a step up from CHSP. They give you a yearly budget to spend across all your home care needs, and yes — that includes buying a wheelchair.

There are four levels:

Keep in mind — these budgets cover everything. Nursing, personal care, cleaning, and equipment all come from the same pot. So buying a wheelchair means balancing it against your other care costs for the year.

How It Works

• You receive a package budget and choose a provider to manage it
• You decide how to spend it (with your provider's guidance)
• Equipment purchases — including wheelchairs — are approved expenses
• You own whatever you buy

How Much It Covers

• A Level 2 package can comfortably cover a manual wheelchair ($300–$900)
• You just need to weigh it against everything else you need that year

The Catch: Waiting Lists

This is where Home Care Packages get tricky. There are waiting lists:

• Level 1–2: typically 1–3 months
• Level 3: 3–6 months
• Level 4: 6–12 months, sometimes longer

If you need a My Aged Care wheelchair sooner than that, start with CHSP or one of the other pathways below to bridge the gap while you wait for your package to come through.

CHSP vs Home Care Packages: Which One?

Here's a tip: you can actually be on both at the same time. Start with CHSP to get something sorted quickly while you wait for a Home Care Package to come through. Plenty of people do this during the transition. Call My Aged Care and they'll help you figure out the right path.

Option 3: DVA Wheelchair Funding (Veterans)

If you're a veteran or the dependant of a veteran, the Department of Veterans' Affairs has its own equipment funding — and honestly, it's often the most generous option out there for wheelchair funding over 65 in Australia.

Gold Card Holders

A DVA Gold Card covers all clinically required health care, and that includes mobility equipment with no cap. If your doctor and OT say you need it, DVA pays for it. Full stop.

• Manual wheelchairs: fully covered
• Repairs and maintenance: fully covered
• Accessories and cushions: fully covered
• Zero out-of-pocket cost

White Card Holders

A White Card covers care for accepted conditions, meaning those DVA has linked to your military service.

If your mobility issue connects to an accepted condition, you're covered for DVA wheelchair funding. But if it's unrelated — say your White Card is for hearing loss and you need a wheelchair after a stroke — DVA won't cover it. You'd go through the aged care pathway instead.

How to Apply Through DVA

1. Chat to your GP about a wheelchair referral
2. Your GP refers you to a DVA-contracted occupational therapist
3. The OT assesses your needs and recommends a wheelchair
4. DVA approves the purchase
5. You get your wheelchair at no cost

DVA contact: 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372) or dva.gov.au

Timeline: DVA equipment requests usually get processed in 2–6 weeks — significantly quicker than the aged care route.

The Rehabilitation Appliances Program (RAP)

DVA's RAP is the program that actually provides the aids and appliances to eligible veterans. Wheelchairs sit under this. Your treating health professional submits the application, and DVA arranges supply through their contracted providers.

Gold Card holders can access RAP for any clinically needed equipment. White Card holders can access it for gear related to their accepted conditions.

Option 4: State and Territory Programs

Each state runs its own equipment programs that can top up or replace Commonwealth funding. They vary a fair bit, so check what's on offer where you live:

New South Wales

Enable NSW provides assistive technology — including wheelchairs — to eligible NSW residents. Covers assessment, prescription, and provision. Contact: 1800 362 253 or enable.health.nsw.gov.au

Victoria

SWEP (State Wide Equipment Programme) provides aids and equipment to Victorians with a permanent or long-term condition. Covers wheelchairs, including powered models. Contact your local health service or visit swep.bhs.org.au

Queensland

Medical Aids Subsidy Scheme (MASS) provides subsidised medical aids including wheelchairs. Contact: 1300 443 570 or health.qld.gov.au/mass

South Australia

SA Equipment Program provides assistive equipment through Domiciliary Care SA. Contact: 1300 100 781

Western Australia

WA Country Health Service and Metropolitan Health Service provide equipment services. Contact your local health service or healthywa.wa.gov.au

Tasmania

Community Equipment Scheme provides assistive technology to eligible Tasmanians. Contact: 1300 135 513

ACT

ACT Equipment Scheme provides aids and equipment. Contact: 6207 1086

Northern Territory

Contact the Territory Disability Equipment Program through your local health service.

Heads up: Eligibility and coverage varies between states. Some have income tests, some have waiting lists, and a few are restricted to specific conditions. Ring them directly to find out what applies to you.

Option 5: Private Health Insurance

Got extras cover on your private health? You might be able to claim a partial rebate on a wheelchair.

The amounts jump around between funds and policy levels, but roughly:

• $100–$500 rebate on mobility equipment
• Some funds set annual or lifetime caps
• You usually need a prescription or referral from a doctor or OT
• Pre-approval is sometimes required before you buy

It won't cover the full cost, but it can shave a decent chunk off what you pay out of pocket. Check with your fund before you purchase.

Option 6: Charitable and Community Organisations

If you've fallen through the cracks — or the other pathways don't cover enough — some organisations can help fill the gap:

• Lions Clubs — some local branches fund mobility equipment
• Rotary — community projects sometimes include equipment provision
• Red Cross — equipment loan programs in some areas
• Wheelchair Sports Australia — for sports-specific wheelchairs
• Your local council — community grants are worth checking
• GoFundMe / community fundraising: increasingly common for more expensive equipment

These aren't certain, but they're worth a look if the main pathways don't quite get you there.

How to Apply Through My Aged Care

For most Australians over 65, the process starts with one phone call. Here's how it goes, step by step:

1. Call My Aged Care: 1800 200 422 (Mon–Fri 8am–8pm, Sat 10am–2pm)
2. Phone screening: They'll spend about 10–15 minutes asking about your situation, needs, and living arrangements
3. Registration: They register you in the system and give you a client ID
4. Referral for assessment:
   • For CHSP: you're referred to the Regional Assessment Service (RAS)
   • For HCP: you're referred to the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT)
5. Assessment: Someone visits your home to check your needs. RAS is quicker (30–60 mins). ACAT is more thorough (1–2 hours)
6. Approval: You get a letter confirming what you've been approved for
7. Choose a provider: Pick a service provider in your area
8. Receive your equipment: Your provider sorts the aged care wheelchair — whether that's a loan, subsidy, or purchase

One tip when you ring: mention specifically that you need a wheelchair or mobility equipment. It helps them triage you to the right assessment type and priority level straight away.

What Wheelchairs and Mobility Aids Are Covered?

What you can get depends on which pathway you're using:

Through CHSP

• Basic manual wheelchairs (standard, folding)
• Walking frames and rollators
• Basic mobility aids

Through Home Care Packages

• Manual wheelchairs ($300–$900)
• Wheelchair cushions and accessories
• Repairs and maintenance
• Custom modifications

Through DVA

• Any clinically recommended wheelchair
• All accessories and modifications
• Ongoing repairs and maintenance

At Mobility Concierge, we stock a wide range of mobility aids suited to each of these funding pathways. Here are some of our most popular products for older Australians:

Browse our full range of wheelchairs, mobility aids, and bathroom aids to see what's available and compare prices.

Timeline: How Long Does It All Take?

Here's a realistic picture of how long each pathway takes from that first phone call to actually having a wheelchair in your hands:

DVA is the fastest route by a clear margin. If you have a DVA card, use that pathway first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone over 65 ever get on the NDIS?

Only if they were already a participant before turning 65. If you had your disability and applied before your 65th birthday, you stay on. But new applications after 65 aren't accepted. More details on the NDIS website.

What if I need a wheelchair urgently?

Call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 and tell them it's urgent. Emergency or high-priority assessments can be fast-tracked. Your GP or hospital can also push things along. In the meantime, some providers offer short-term wheelchair loans to tide you over.

Do I have to pay anything out of pocket?

Depends on the pathway. CHSP has a small client contribution (income-tested, often $5–$15 per service). Home Care Packages may involve a basic daily fee and income-tested care fee. DVA Gold Card: nothing. Some state programs are free; others have income tests.

Can I choose which wheelchair I get?

With Home Care Packages and DVA, you generally have good choice within the approved budget. With CHSP, your provider might offer a limited selection or a loaned chair from their stock. If you want to browse options beforehand, check our wheelchair range — every product shows pricing upfront.

What happens if my wheelchair breaks down?

CHSP and HCP funding can cover repairs. DVA covers all repair costs for funded equipment. Keep records and contact your provider to arrange it.

What if I'm helping someone over 65 get a wheelchair?

You can call My Aged Care on their behalf. You can attend assessments and planning meetings too. A lot of the practical advice in our carer's guide to NDIS wheelchairs applies to aged care pathways as well — the admin process is similar even though the funding source is different.

Are there any tax deductions for wheelchair purchases?

If you pay out of pocket for a medically prescribed wheelchair, you might be able to claim it as a medical expense — though the Net Medical Expenses Tax Offset has been phased out for most taxpayers. Talk to your accountant about your specific situation.