The State-wide Equipment Program (SWEP) owns over 30,000 Assistive Technology (AT) equipment items. SWEP is responsible for the maintenance and repair of this equipment, which is loaned to consumers to help them live independently.
SWEP has a long-standing repairs and maintenance contract with Chemtronics Direct, who will send a technician to repair your equipment.
When the equipment breaks down, a repair is undertaken to fix it.
A Preventative Maintenance Program regularly services certain categories of equipment to prevent or reduce breakdowns. This service operates during normal business hours.
Phone: 1300 PH SWEP (1300 747 937) Option '1', and one of our friendly staff will organise to get the equipment repaired for you.
SWEP and Chemtronics provide an emergency after-hours service 24 hours per day, every day of the year including public holidays, if it has been agreed by SWEP that the equipment needs to be fixed straight away.
When you call 1300 747 937 outside of business hours, you will be directed to our after-hours emergency service which is manned by SWEP staff.
Our staff will discuss with you how urgently the repair needs to be done; the response for the repair will depend on your living arrangements including carer support and how dependent you are on the equipment.
Repairs are prioritised to ensure that urgent repairs can be done in the quickest time possible.
When it is not possible for you to get home safely, SWEP will arrange for Chemtronics to come to wherever you are within Victoria to assess your equipment for repair.
SWEP and Chemtronics are not able to make travel arrangements for you, so you may need to call either a family member or a taxi to get you home.
If you are in another State and SWEP equipment breaks down, we will do our best to assist you in finding an interstate repairer to fix the equipment.
Sometimes Chemtronics will not be able to fix the equipment at your home due to availability of replacement parts or access to specialised equipment repairers.
When this happens, Chemtronics will get the equipment repaired and returned to you as quickly as possible.
SWEP will talk to you about how much you depend on the equipment and whether we have the same equipment available in our refurbished equipment inventory for short term loan.
SWEP is unable to lend you equipment if it is not the same as what you are using without the advice of your AT Practitioner.
If the equipment is not able to be repaired or if it is more cost-effective long term to purchase new equipment, SWEP will contact you by phone to discuss your options.
If Chemtronics has refurbished replacement equipment that your AT Practitioner agrees is suitable and safe for you to use, SWEP will reissue this to you.
If refurbished replacement equipment is not suitable your AT Practitioner will need to complete an assessment and submit a new application to SWEP on your behalf.
If you wish to keep the old equipment, you can ask to have ownership transferred to you from SWEP. We will only agree to this if the item is in good condition and continues to be safe for use. If ownership of the equipment is transferred, you will be responsible for the ongoing cost of maintenance and repairs to the equipment and disposal when no longer required.
SWEP has an exclusive contract for repairs and maintenance with Chemtronics. If you choose to use your preferred repairer, we will transfer ownership of the equipment to you, and you will be responsible for payment of the repairs yourself.
SWEP does not pay for repairs to equipment not owned by SWEP and is not responsible for maintaining it.
If the equipment has an orange or white asset label with a barcode this means the item is returnable to SWEP.
Please contact SWEP and we will arrange collection at no cost to you.
SWEP does not collect low-cost equipment (no asset label affixed). We will advise you if we are unable to assist with collection or disposal of equipment you no longer need.
The repair of tubing or tyres for scooters and wheelchairs is your responsibility. Your equipment supplier may know of a repair service if you are having difficulty finding one.
You can also contact SWEP who will arrange for Chemtronics to repair the tubing or tyres however this repair will be at your own cost.
If you require modifications to the equipment you are using, your AT Practitioner will need to send SWEP their recommendation and a quote from their preferred Supplier to undertake the modifications.
If you are a NDIS Participant and require repairs or maintenance to your equipment, please visit the SLA website here or phone 1800 995 009.
