Guidelines for occupational therapists supporting home modifications
As an occupational therapist, you can support your client with modifying their home to meet their medical or disability needs.
Consent forms required by Homes NSW
To reduce delays during the Home Modifications (Disability) process, it is important that your client completes the necessary consent form. These forms allow us to discuss and share information about your client’s modification needs with third parties. This includes support workers.
There are two consent forms:
- General consent to exchange information and/or Authority to Act on Client's behalf (DCJ4001) form. Use this form for a third party to give or receive information about the client or to to authorise a third party to act on the client’s behalf, like make changes or attend appointments.
- Consent to exchange information between support workers/service providers (DH0145) form. Use this form to allow one or more agencies or support workers to share information about your client.
Occupational therapist summary report
An Occupational Therapist Summary Report must be included when submitting an occupational therapist report for modifications. This report summarises the modifications needed for the client to safely access and live in their home. It also outlines any urgent health or safety concerns to the Maintenance Hub.
Joint onsite inspections for major modifications
If your client is offered a Homes NSW property that may need major modifications, you will need to plan an initial joint inspection. Both your client and a Homes NSW staff member will need to be attend.
The purpose of this inspection is to assess the property’s suitability and structural capacity for modifications. This means any specific needs are captured for your occupational therapist report and summary report.
Clinical recommendations
Your clinical insights are critical. Use your Occupational Therapist Summary Report to:
- Outline the health or disability barriers affecting the client’s safety at home.
- List recommended modifications, emphasizing those that are essential for health and safety.
Criteria for approving home modifications
Most standard modifications don’t need supporting evidence or an occupational therapist report. We will approve a standard modification if:
- the modification requested is listed on the Table of Standard Modifications
- any required supporting documentation is provided
- necessary council or property owner approvals are obtained, especially for headlease properties.
Assessing major modifications
The Housing Portfolio team evaluate each request for major modifications. This allows us to address unique needs. During this stage, there are two main factors we consider:
the required modifications are related to the medical or disability need of your client for them to sustain a successful tenancy
whether the home can be modified to meet the needs required.
For more information, visit the approval criteria section of the Home Modifications (Disability).
Application review for major modification requests
After receiving an application for a major modification, we will:
- acknowledge receipt of the application within 3 working days.
- notify the relevant Housing Services team of the decision
- contact your client to confirm the decision.
If your client consents, you can contact their local Homes NSW housing office for updates on the application.
Any urgent health or safety concerns should be reported immediately to the Maintenance Hub.