10.6 Provision of Aids and Appliances under the VVRS

A VVRS approved rehabilitation program may include the provision of work related aids, appliances and workplace alterations. This is explained in Section 1.3.3 of the VVRS Instrument.

Where a VVRS client requires non-work related medical aids and appliances to address clinical needs, and holds a DVA Health Card, these should be provided through the Rehabilitation Appliances Program (RAP) wherever possible. If the aid or appliance is not on the RAP Schedule, it may be able to be approved on a one-off prior approval basis. This process is explained in section 10.2.5 of this chapter.

Please note, for vehicle requests for VEA clients, including modifications to vehicles, the Vehicle Assistance Schemes (VAS) should be considered rather than RAP. Further information about the VAS can be found in section 6.4 of the Compensation and Support Policy Library.

If the aid or appliance is not able to be provided through RAP, it can be provided through the rehabilitation provisions, if the client has entitlements under the MRCA or DRCA, as long as it is considered that the item will effectively meet the client’s clinical needs and/or assist them to achieve a rehabilitation goal. Further information about providing aids and appliances under the rehabilitation provisions can be found in section 10.3 of this chapter.

Before approving the purchase of any work related aid, appliance or workplace alteration or service, the cost effectiveness of purchasing the item or service and the possibility of negotiating a cost sharing arrangement with the client’s employer for the item/service needs to be considered. No tools of trade, or employee or business licences, or computers (hardware or software) can be approved as an aid or appliance under the VVRS. This is explained in section 4.3.3 of the VVRS Instrument.

For further information on the VVRS, refer to Chapter 12 of this Guide.