News

Another advocacy win: Urgent access to assistive technology funding for Australians living with MND

Published: 21 July 2026

MND Australia has welcomed another important advocacy outcome for older Australians living with MND.

Following recent Government reforms introducing a priority pathway through the Support at Home program, we identified an important gap: while funding packages are now fast-tracked, people with MND could still face lengthy delays accessing Assistive Technology and Home Modification (AT-HM) funding. This funding is provided separate to the core funding package.

After writing to Ministers Mark Butler and Sam Rae outlining these concerns, we have now received confirmation that the Aged Care Rules have been amended to provide urgent access to AT-HM funding for people living with MND. Importantly, the changes will also apply retrospectively.

Including the AT-HM funding in the 'urgent' classification means that packages will be received within thirty days.

This builds on the recent commitment to protect the MND Priority Pathway in the NDIS and provide urgent priority access to Support at Home funding for older Australians living with MND.

While these are significant achievements, there is still more work to do. MND Australia will continue advocating for funding levels that better reflect the complex needs of people living with MND, clinically-led assessment processes and broader reforms to ensure older Australians receive equitable, timely and appropriate care.

Read our submission to the Inquiry into the Support at Home Program