Buying special needs equipment goes well when you know three things before you look at a single product: who will use it, where it will be used and which task it has to make easier. A shower chair that does not fit the recess, a walker that will not fold into the car or a ramp too short for the step is money spent on something that ends up in the garage. This checklist covers what to work out first, the funding and advice steps that some items need, and the mistakes families most often make.
Start with the task, not the product
Write down the activity that is hard right now: getting out of a chair, standing in the shower, walking to the letterbox, getting on and off the toilet. The equipment comes second. Healthdirect’s guide to mobility aids notes that healthcare professionals can assess your mobility needs and suggest the best aids for you, and that GPs, specialists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and registered nurses can all prescribe them. If an OT is already involved, their recommendation is the best starting point, and our guide to OT assessments explains when one is needed for NDIS equipment.
A checklist for buying disability equipment
Work through these seven points in order, starting with the person and the room.
1. Measure the person and the place
Product listings give the numbers you need: seat height range, width between the arms, base size and maximum user weight. The standard shower stool in our shower stools range, for example, lists a seat height of 510 to 660mm and 460mm between the arms. Compare figures like these with the person (hip width, lower leg length, weight) and with the room: the shower recess, the toilet height, doorway widths and the turning space in hallways. Our guide on measuring for a wheelchair shows the same approach for seating.
2. Check the weight rating
Every chair, stool, frame and bench carries a maximum user weight, and the spread is wide. The folding shower chair is rated to 100kg, while the aluminium shower stool is rated to 175kg. Where a standard model is not enough, look for versions described for the bariatric client, such as the extra wide shower chair or the Glide 3 Heavy Duty Wheelchair in the manual wheelchairs range.
3. Know whether it is low risk or higher risk
The NDIS sorts equipment by risk as well as cost. Its page on higher-risk assistive technology describes items that need expert advice to choose, set up and use safely, and says you need written advice to buy or rent them. Its examples include adjustable beds, bed sticks and other transfer aids, complex bathing and toileting devices and pressure care devices. A non-slip bathmat or a shower stool sits at the low-risk end.
4. Sort out funding before you order
If an NDIS plan or aged care funding is paying, confirm it first. The NDIS says low-cost assistive technology costs less than $1,500, can be bought with the consumables budget and needs no quotes, evidence or assessments when it is also low risk. Even so, it suggests getting advice before buying any assistive technology for the first time. For older Australians, the AT-HM scheme under the Support at Home program funds equipment after an aged care assessment, and our Support at Home funding page has more on how that works.
5. Decide whether to buy, rent or borrow
Needs change, especially after surgery or as a condition progresses. The NDIS says it might be better to rent assistive technology if your needs are likely to change, and My Aged Care notes that you can buy, rent or loan the equipment you need. Adjustable equipment also buys time: height adjustable walking sticks, walkers and shower chairs can be reset as the person’s needs shift.
6. Inspect second-hand equipment closely
Used equipment can suit a tight budget, but check it as carefully as new. Look for the weight rating label, every part and accessory, working brakes and folding locks, rust on the frame and worn rubber tips, and ask for the original instructions. If a model name or code is visible, you can compare it against a current listing to confirm its specifications.
7. Buy from a supplier who can answer questions
A specialist supplier can tell you which models suit a small bathroom, which accessories fit which chair, and what the codes on a listing mean. Seeing products in person helps too, because a seat height on paper feels different once you sit on it. Allcare Warehouse is a registered NDIS provider, and its showroom has equipment you can compare side by side before deciding.
Mistakes that cost families most
- Buying for indoors only. A frame that works in the hallway may struggle on a footpath. The Tri Wheel Walker, for instance, has large solid 200mm castors for greater manoeuvrability outdoors, which is worth knowing if the person walks to the shops.
- Forgetting the carer. If someone else will push, lift or fold the equipment, involve them in the choice. Bi-fold ramps in the wheelchair ramps range are described as ideal for wheelchairs that need an attendant, and push handle height matters to whoever stands behind a chair.
- Overlooking storage and transport. Check folded sizes against the car boot and the cupboard. In the rollators range, the Scout Walker folds with its bag still attached.
- Guessing the ramp length. A ramp has to suit the height it climbs. Telescopic ramps extend from 930mm to 1530mm to suit the required height, so measure the rise of the step before choosing.
- Skipping the trial. Sit on the seat, squeeze the brakes and fold the frame before you commit. Five minutes with the real product catches problems a photo never shows.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a family member buy equipment for someone else?
Yes. Orders can be placed by phone, by email or in person, so a carer, son or daughter can arrange the purchase. Have the measurements, the user’s weight and any written recommendation from the person’s health professional ready. For an NDIS order, also have the participant’s plan details on hand so the team knows whether the plan is self-managed, plan-managed or NDIA-managed.
Is there a pick-up option instead of delivery?
Yes. As well as delivery across Sydney and freight within NSW, orders can be collected from the Croydon Park store and pick-up point at 44 Georges River Rd, Croydon Park. Call 1300 767 777 before you travel so the team can confirm your items are ready to collect, and bring the order details with you.
What if the equipment does not suit once it arrives?
Measuring first and trying the product in person are the best protection, which is why this checklist starts there. Before ordering, read the returns and refunds page so you know how returns are handled. If anything about the fit is uncertain, call 1300 767 777 and talk it through with the team before you buy.
To work through this checklist with someone, drop into the Liverpool showroom (Shop 7, Northumberland Arcade, 230 Northumberland Street) or call 1300 767 777. You can also email [email protected], and orders are delivered across Sydney.
This guide is general information, not medical advice. Read our disclaimer.