Frequently Asked Questions

Ability First Australia has been funded by the Department of Social Services to deliver an Assistive Technology (AT) Rental and Refurbishment Pilot Program across South Australia and Tasmania that aims to make access to AT simpler, faster and more affordable.

This is an initial 2-year pilot program designed to increase the opportunity for people with disability to access high quality equipment.

Ability First will partner with member organisations, NovitaTech and St Giles, who will provide the infrastructure, skills and expertise in AT refurbishment, assessment and distribution.

The Pilot is being delivered through an online platform called Access Tech.

Access Tech is the online platform that allows customers to easily explore the available equipment as part of the AT Pilot program. Please check our rental catalogue or items for purchase for specific equipment.

Customers in South Australia and Tasmania can start accessing the AT Pilot Program from early 2025. The AT Pilot Program will conclude in December 2026.

The AT Pilot will commence with an initial small fleet of equipment. The fleet will expand as donations are received, refurbished and made available through the Access Tech website.

Please visit our donations page and complete the form. A member of our team will then review the items suitability for the pilot.

We see a number of benefits of an AT Pilot Program:

• a more flexible and accessible option for people with disability to access the equipment they need.
• A timely way to access the equipment you need now, reducing the delays in accessing equipment through funding bodies like the NDIS.
• An equitable option for all people with disability to access the equipment they need.
• Providing an opportunity for children to access different equipment as their needs change, and as they grow.
• Supporting people with disability to more readily participate in their communities.
• To support greater environmental sustainability and a reduction in waste
  of equipment that could be refurbished and reissued.
• To increase transparency and choice with clearer information of different AT options available.

The program is available to all people with disability under the age of 65 years in South Australia and Tasmania. This includes NDIS participants.

Access Tech offers a variety of high-quality, refurbished AT equipment to meet diverse needs and accessibility levels. Please check our catalogue for specific equipment.

The AT Pilot Program is available for all people with disability under the age of 65 years in South Australia and Tasmania. However, we know how important it is for families to be able to change, adjust or upgrade their child’s AT as they grow and their needs change very quickly.

We know families want greater options to purchase or rent AT during different points in their child’s development and we know families are often frustrated with the delays and red tape.

That is why we have a particular focus on ensuring we have AT refurbished and rental options for children available in our catalogue.

The program is available to all people with disability under the age of 65 years in South Australia and Tasmania and is not limited to NDIS participants. NDIS participants over 65 who are currently on the Scheme in South Australia and Tasmania remain eligible.

Currently, the AT Pilot Program is operating in South Australia and Tasmania during the 2-year pilot period.

For people with disability who live in other jurisdictions, particularly First Nations peoples and those living in rural and remote areas, who may be engaging with other services in South Australia and Tasmania, our AccessTech partners can consider your equipment needs based on availability and requirements.

The AT Pilot Program will go through a detailed evaluation process to assess its application nationally.

Yes. We encourage all customers to engage with our Access Tech partners with their clinician or support teams to ensure the equipment is specific and safe for that individual’s needs.

Currently, the AT Pilot Program is operating in South Australia and Tasmania during the 2-year pilot period.

For customers who live in rural and remote locations within South Australia, or in other remote locations that are serviced by South Australia, please contact our Access Tech partners who can consider your equipment needs based on availability and requirements.

The AT Pilot program offers a variety of high-quality, refurbished AT equipment to meet diverse needs and accessibility levels. Please check our rental catalogue or items for purchase for specific equipment.

Refurbishment is the process that will support the delivery of the AT Pilot Program.

The AT Rental and Refurbishment Pilot will take a pre-used piece of equipment and recondition it to make it fit for purpose for another customer or user. Our Access Tech partners are highly skilled technicians dedicated to providing high quality refurbished equipment is available to customer.

This includes ensuring the equipment meets hygiene and safety requirements.

The delivery of a refurbished piece of equipment will often be faster and less costly than a new item that needs to be manufactured and ordered.

Refurbishment also generates significant environment and sustainability benefits through the re-use of resources and reduction in waste disposal.

Our rental process is straightforward and flexible. You select the device you need, complete the referral form and a member of our friendly team will contact you to discuss the rental.

The initial rental period is between 1 and 3 months and can be extended if required. At the end of the agreed rental term, you’ll have the choice to renew, return, or, in some cases, purchase your equipment if it’s the right long-term fit.

Short-term loans are also available if you wish to trial a product for between 1 and 3 weeks.

Our support team is available throughout your rental period to offer assistance and guidance. If you encounter any issues, feel free to contact us.

Please also contact your AT assessor with any questions, as they will be reviewing you regularly to make sure the equipment is meeting your needs.

Yes, if the equipment is available for sale, you may purchase it at the end of your rental term.

If you are not in contact with an AT assessor or clinician/Allied Health team, we encourage you to engage with a professional that can assist you in selecting product(s) that are suitable for you to use. You can also speak with our Access Tech partner in South Australia or Tasmania to discuss your specific needs.

At the end of your rental term, you can return the equipment to your nearest Access Tech partner location or arrange a pickup (charges may apply), depending on your area.

If you need to cancel your rental, contact our support team for available options.

Yes, you can extend your rental term if you need the equipment longer (subject to availability). Contact us to discuss renewal options before your term ends.

Yes, we offer options to purchase refurbished equipment.

If you have been renting a piece of equipment and it is available for sale, you may purchase it at the end of your rental term. The purchase price for second hand refurbished equipment would need to be determined based on age, condition and cost incurred during a rental period (if applicable).

Yes, we encourage customers to discover the best solutions for their unique needs before committing to purchase equipment. The short-term loan system will provide quick and flexible access to equipment for a short period of time – 1-3 weeks to see if it is suitable and meets their needs. A customer will be charged for the loan period.

Assistive Technology can be funded through various sources, including NDIS, government programs or personal and private funds.

For non-NDIS participants, a proportion of the Government funding for the AT Pilot is allocated to the cost of the equipment to help make it an affordable option.

Payment options can be found on our Funding Options page

The cost to rent a piece of equipment depends on the type of equipment, and specific equipment needs.  Prices are available to view on our rental page.

No, Access Tech does not offer Allied Health services. If you have any questions about our products our team are available to support, you.

Assistive Technology can be funded through various sources, including NDIS, private health insurance, and government programs. For full details, see our Funding Options section.

Yes. Please contact the NDIA to discuss how you can access the AT Pilot through your plan funding.

Yes, please contact our Access Tech partner in South Australia or Tasmania to discuss your specific needs.

There are delivery and pick-up options available. Delivery times vary based on location. Prices will be quoted at the time of purchase or rental. Delivery of bulky items will be on via trucks with tailgate lifts and be delivered on a pallet.

Please ensure a truck can access your property and if required you arrange for someone to support you to unpack the item.

Our Access Tech partners are highly skilled technicians dedicated to providing high quality refurbished equipment is available. However, you should discuss the purchase, rent or trial of a piece of Assistive Technology with your Allied Health team to ensure that specific product is suitable for you to use.

If you are not in contact with an AT assessor or clinician/Allied Health team, we encourage you to engage with a professional that can assist you in selecting product(s) that are suitable for you to use. You can also speak with our Access Tech partner in South Australia or Tasmania to discuss your specific needs.

If you need to cancel your rental, contact our support team for available options. Refund eligibility may vary based on your rental term and equipment type.