A variety of vehicle modifications are covered by the scheme including minor modifications such as hand controls, and major modifications such as hoists and permanent ramps. Clients will be assisted by their prescribing occupational therapist (OT) or OT driver assessor to determine the most appropriate and safe modification, or combination of modifications, to best suit their needs.
Subsidies are available for:
conversions of vehicles for wheelchair access
minor modifications to wheelchairs that are essential for safe travel
ramps permanently secured to vehicles
specialised lifters, carriers and trailers for wheelchairs
modified driving controls
specialised seats
air conditioning for people with thermo-regulatory conditions
oxygen cylinder restraint systems.
For a comprehensive list of modifications that are not funded through VMSS please refer to VMSS Guidelines.
Eligibility
Eligibility for a vehicle modification subsidy is consistent with the broader A&EP guidelines. A person must either:
be a permanent resident of Victoria
hold a permanent Protection Visa – Resolution of Status (RoS) (subclass 851), or
be an asylum seeker (may also be Protection Visa applicants).
Note: refugees are initially asylum seekers.
They must also:
have a permanent or long-term disability or be frail aged
require vehicle modifications from the available list in section 7, on a permanent or long-term basis. Capacity exists to provide assistance to:
people requiring vehicle modifications to drive their privately owned primary vehicle due to their disability
people with a disability requiring modifications to travel as a passenger in their privately owned primary vehicle, including children and their families.
In accordance with A&EP guidelines, a person is not eligible if they are entitled to receive assistance from other government-funded aids and equipment programs,or if they are entitled to any form of compensation related to their disability.
Retrospective Payments:
It is important to note that retrospective payments will NOT be provided through the SWEP.
