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14.5.6 Equipment and Transport for Activities Under the Package

Recipients undertaking wellbeing activities may need access to equipment to enable them to participate in community activities. These may include activities such as leisure/lifestyle programs to help overcome social isolation, sporting activities and programs or adult learning short courses. While it is expected that most families would cover these costs as part of their day to day costs, it is important that a lack of appropriate equipment does not create a barrier to a person being able to participate in these types of activities.
 

14.5.6.1 Intent of equipment for activities under the Package

If a recipient requires particular equipment to undertake an approved activity under their support plan—such as course materials, sporting equipment or musical instruments—and they are unable to fund it themselves, hiring or leasing the equipment should be considered in the first instance. If hiring or leasing the equipment is not possible or practicable, is not conducive to the recipient participating meaningfully in the activity, or does not support the recipient’s wellbeing needs, then purchasing equipment may be considered. A delegate may also take into account cost-effectiveness of each option when making a decision.

If the recipient requires consumables such as paint, photography paper, canvases, or stationery in order to participate in an approved activity, then this can be provided for the duration of the course. However, once the course is finished, if the recipient wishes to continue with the activity independently then they may be responsible for meeting these costs into the future.

14.5.6.2 Travel

Funding travel under the Package is first and foremost intended to support children’s attendance at services and activities in the support plan, or school. It is designed to support families experiencing difficult circumstances to manage the family’s participation in the support plan.

There may be other limited circumstances under which Package funds could be used for transport for adults under the support plan. A DVA Service Coordinator may determine whether or not a person's travel costs to participate in an approved activity may be covered under the Package, and to ensure that these costs are included in the support plan. An example would be where a recipient is undertaking an approved training course as part of a capacity building program, and needs to travel in order to participate in the course.