NZ Government Content

Equipment and modifications

This section is about help for equipment and home and vehicle modifications funded by the Ministry of Health.

For equipment funded by the Ministry of Health, visit the Ministry of Health website at www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/indexmh/disability-fundedservices-equipmentmodifications to read more about the kinds of equipment and modifications available. Print off the pamphlets you are most interested in. Your local Disability Resource Centre will also have copies of these pamphlets.

The Ministry of Education funds equipment for primary and secondary students to support their learning and activities at school.

ACC may also help with these things if the person you care for has an injury.

The Ministry of Health may be able to help if the person you support needs equipment to live safely at home. Equipment may be available for people with physical, intellectual, sensory (vision or hearing) and/or age-related disability needs. People with chronic health conditions and high ongoing support needs under 65 years may also be able to access equipment. Equipment is generally provided at no charge, although part charges for some items may apply.

What help is available?

Equipment might include items to help with:

  • personal care, such as eating, going to the toilet and showering (a shower stool or a hoist, for example) and household tasks (such as a kitchen trolley)
  • mobility, standing and/or postural support (a walking frame or wheelchair, for example) 
  • speaking, understanding, writing and making sense of information (such as a communication board, speaking device or software to make it easier to use a computer)
  • hearing (such as hearing aids, listening devices and alarms) 
  • vision (such as magnifiers, mobility canes, computer screen reading software and glasses).

Subsidy for glasses/spectacles

Children with vision problems, aged 15 years or under, may be able to get help with the cost of vision tests, glasses (frames, lenses or repairs) or eye patches, if the family or child has a Community Services Card or a High Use Health Card. Your child will need to be assessed by an optometrist or eye specialist. Call 0800 17 1981 for more information.

Hearing aids for children

The Ministry of Health provides funding for hearing aids and FM (frequency modulated) systems for preschoolers and hearing aids for children and young people 20 years and under who are studying at school to tertiary level. A hospital audiologist or a vision/hearing tester who visits preschools or schools can tell you more about the help available.

Hearing aids for adults

A Hearing Aid Subsidy (HAS) is available for people who need a hearing aid. Two levels of subsidy are available - one for people under 65 years and a higher level for people 65 years and over who have a SuperGold Card. An audiologist (hearing specialist) can help you apply. Call 0800 17 1981 for more information.

Hearing therapy services

The Ministry of Health funds hearing therapy services, and these are provided free of charge. Hearing therapists can assess hearing needs, provide information about hearing aids and other equipment, teach people how to manage their hearing loss and advise them on the equipment that might help them. Go to www.life.nzl.org or call 0800 008 011.

Adults who meet certain criteria may be eligible for additional funding help for hearing aids.

Equipment needed for less than six months

If you need equipment for a short time, you can hire it (either from a pharmacy or ask your local Disability Resource Centre). If someone is being discharged from hospital, the hospital should arrange the equipment you need at home. Talk to your social worker, discharge nurse or occupational therapist.
Important: To get this help, you need to follow the assessment process. Don't choose and buy equipment hoping to reclaim the money - if you've already paid for equipment yourself, you can't claim the cost back.

How to get help

An assessor (usually an occupational therapist) will assess the needs of the person you support. If you are eligible for modifications funded by the Ministry of Health, the assessor will forward an application to the appropriate funding agency.

You need to follow the assessment process. You cannot claim the cost back for modifications already done without funding approval.

Who can help you get equipment?

  • Contact one of the two agencies that manage applications for equipment on behalf of the Ministry of Health. Accessable processes applications from Auckland and Northland (phone Accessable on 0508 001 002), and Enable New Zealand looks after the rest of New Zealand (phone Enable New Zealand on 0800 17 1981).
  • Call your local hospital and ask for Community Health Services (most assessors are usually based there).

If you get stuck

If you want further information about particular equipment or advice on the assessment process:

  • contact your local Disability Resource Centre - phone 0800 NZFDIC (0800 693 342) to find the one nearest you
  • visit Enable New Zealand's disability information website at www.weka.net.nz or call 0800 17 1981.

Contact the Ministry of Health to get more information or if you want to make a complaint:

Lottery grants

The Lottery Individuals With Disabilities Committee considers applications from people throughout New Zealand who have significant mobility and communication-related disabilities.

The committee approves grants for vehicles, vehicle modifications, mobility scooters and mobility equipment so people with mobility-related disabilities can get out and about to everyday activities such as shopping, visiting friends or family, sporting events, the library etc. The committee also makes grants to people with communication-related disabilities for equipment to facilitate interactive communication with other people.

Applications can be made at any time. You can download an information sheet and application form at www.cdgo.govt.nz . Phone 0800 824 824 or email grantsonline@dia.govt.nz for information or advice.