WORK IN PROGRESS
We are improving this policy library. While work is underway, content of this chapter may not be the most current information available. Please contact rehabilitation@dva.gov.au [1] if you have any questions.
There are provisions in each of the Acts:
under which assistance can be provided for the cost of vehicle modifications or, in cases of severe impairment and significant need (see details provided below), assistance with a motor vehicle purchase. While general guiding principles apply to the approval of the provision of the various forms assistance relating to motor vehicles across the three Acts, specific principles apply for each Act and require careful consideration.
Note: The approval process for motor vehicle modifications or assistance with the purchase of a motor vehicle must follow the Principles outlined previously in section 10.1 [5] in this library.
As with the provision of alterations, aids and appliances the client must have:
Where assistance with the cost of modifying a client’s existing motor vehicle is being considered, the following principles, derived from section 39(2) of DRCA, are to be taken into account through any subsequent assessment and reviewing processes:
A professional assessment with recommendations included which is undertaken by a suitably qualified service provider, i.e. a Driver Trained Specialist Occupational Therapist (see note below), is required to confirm that, due to the client’s level of impairment, they are unable to drive or be driven in their motor vehicle in safety and comfort without modifications to their vehicle and the client will derive benefit from one that has been suitable modified.
Driver Trained Specialist Occupational Therapists (OT) are attached to large rehabilitation centres in most Australian capital cities. These are specialist OTs who have gained additional qualifications (Driver Trained), and are nationally registered with all state and territory Road Traffic Authorities. They are qualified to assess a client’s need for motor vehicle modifications and recommend such modifications. They are also qualified to train drivers on how to safely use modifications.
Driver Trained Specialist OT can be located on the Occupational Therapist Association website of each state and territory. Alternatively, Driver Trained Specialist OT can be located on the Road Traffic Authority website of each state or territory.
This topic describes the flow of motor vehicle modification requests under section 39 of DRCA [3] and section 212 of MRCA [4].
If a client has ... | Then ... | And will be required to ... |
---|---|---|
an accepted DRCA/MRCA condition which is impacting on their driving capacity; or ability to be driven in safety and comfort | they may be eligible for assistance for motor vehicle modification/s | undergo an assessment of their driving needs by a Driver Trained Occupational Therapist, which will be organised by DVA. This will also need to confirm that the client will derive benefit from any modification/s being recommended. |
Note: While waiting for the assessment to occur, clients should not anticipate the outcome of the assessment and proceed with the purchase or installation of a modification, or purchase a vehicle which they feel may meet their needs. Costs incurred prior to DVA approval are generally not reimbursed.
The following table provides guidance about certain scenarios of motor vehicle modification requests.
What is likely to happen if ... | Answer |
---|---|
a client does not have a motor vehicle to be modified? | No assistance can be considered. These provisions refer to modifying an existing vehicle. Other rules apply for requests made by significantly impaired or severely injured clients. |
a client’s vehicle is assessed as being too old, technically unsuitable, or not safe to modify? | If a client agrees to purchase a suitable vehicle which has the modifications (at their own expense), consideration may be given to meet the cost-difference between that vehicle and a similar model without the modifications fitted. If a client purchases a vehicle with the required modifications for less than the trade-in of their existing vehicle, there would be no cost difference or evidence of an actual cost incurred for any payment to be approved. |
a client proceeds with the purchase of another vehicle with the required modification/s prior to an assessment being undertaken? | The assessment is undertaken on the vehicle that a client is currently driving or is being driven in. If a client’s vehicle is assessed as suitable in terms of meeting their needs, there would be no requirement to undertake any additional modifications to the vehicle and no payment could be approved. |
the assessment identifies that a client’s car requires modification/s and it is possible to modify the vehicle? | A DVA delegate will review the Driver Trained OT Assessment recommendations. If the modifications are approved, a rehabilitation service provider or the Driver Trained OT will organise the quotes, purchase, installation and any training in the use of the modification/s. |
a client proceeds and has the assessed modifications installed in their vehicle? Can they claim for the cost of the modifications and their installation? | The assessment would have identified the specific modification/s, but the DVA delegate may request three quotes be obtained for the modification/s and their installation. Any payment would be based on the quote considered most reasonable. |
Links
[1] mailto:rehabilitation@dva.gov.au
[2] https://www.legislation.gov.au/Series/C2004A03268
[3] https://www.legislation.gov.au/Series/C1988A00156
[4] https://www.legislation.gov.au/Series/C2004A01285
[5] https://clik.dva.gov.au/rehabilitation-policy-library/10-alterations-modifications-aids-appliances-and-motor-vehicle-assistance/101-principles-provision-alterations-modifications-aids-appliances
[6] https://clik.dva.gov.au/user/login?destination=comment/reply/21174%23comment-form