ACT Equipment Scheme (ACTES)
This page is a direct rule-based guide for AU_ACT_EQUIPMENT_SCHEME (rule version 2025-26, effective 1 July 2025). It explains the ACT Equipment Scheme (ACTES) — subsidised aids and equipment for non-NDIS Canberrans with a long-term illness or disability.
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Quick Answer
You may qualify if you live in the ACT and have a confirmed long-term illness or disability. In the rule it is reached when state = ACT and disability_or_illness_confirmed = true.
It produces no cash. The rule records it as eligibility_only: ACTES subsidises the supply of aids and assistive equipment rather than paying you money. The scheme is for people who hold a Pension or Low Income Health Care Card and are not on the NDIS.
Outcome summary: access to subsidised aids and equipment to help you stay independent at home, arranged by clinician referral through Canberra Health Services.
What Is This Payment?
The ACT Equipment Scheme (ACTES) helps people with a long-term illness or disability get the aids and equipment they need — items that support mobility, daily living and safety at home — at a subsidised cost.
The rule database tags it as a Group B benefit with eligibility_only as its result role. It is not a payment; its value is the subsidised equipment supplied through the scheme.
ACTES is designed for residents who hold a Pension Concession Card or Low Income Health Care Card and who are not funded by the NDIS, so it fills the gap for people whose equipment needs are not met elsewhere.
How Much Can You Get?
The amount block is eligibility_only with period: none. There is no direct cash payment; the value is the subsidised aids and equipment.
- Subsidised aids and assistive equipment to support daily living, mobility and safety.
- For non-NDIS residents who hold a Pension or Low Income Health Care Card.
- Accessed by clinician referral, so the right equipment is matched to your assessed need.
Eligibility Conditions
The eligibility block is an all set, so every condition must pass.
- ACT resident:
state = ACT. You must live in the Australian Capital Territory. - Confirmed long-term illness or disability:
disability_or_illness_confirmed = true. Your condition must be confirmed and long-term.
Beyond the rule conditions, the scheme is targeted at people who hold a Pension Concession Card or Low Income Health Care Card and who are not receiving equipment funding through the NDIS. If the NDIS already funds your equipment, ACTES is not the right pathway.
Access is by clinician referral: a health professional assesses your needs and refers you, so the equipment supplied is matched to your assessed requirement rather than chosen from a catalogue alone.
How To Apply
The channel is by referral, and you will need clinician input plus your concession card.
- Channel: access ACTES through a clinician referral.
- Evidence required: a clinician referral and an eligible concession card (Pension Concession Card or Low Income Health Care Card).
- The scheme assesses your needs and arranges subsidised equipment for non-NDIS residents.
Rule-Based Scenarios
Scenario 1: a mobility aid after illness
After a long illness, Raymond holds a Pension Concession Card and is not on the NDIS. His occupational therapist refers him to ACTES, which supplies a subsidised mobility aid to help him move safely at home.
Scenario 2: equipment for daily living
Fatima has a long-term disability and a Low Income Health Care Card but no NDIS plan. A clinician refers her to ACTES for subsidised daily-living equipment so she can manage tasks independently.
Scenario 3: already on the NDIS
Connor's equipment is funded through his NDIS plan, so ACTES is not the right pathway for him — his assistive technology is provided through the NDIS instead.
Scenario 4: no referral yet
Helen meets the conditions but has not yet seen a clinician. Because ACTES is accessed by referral, she first arranges an assessment so the right equipment can be matched to her needs.
Common Mistakes
- Expecting a cash payment: ACTES subsidises the supply of aids and equipment; it does not pay money into your account.
- Applying while on the NDIS: the scheme is for non-NDIS residents — if the NDIS funds your equipment, use that pathway instead.
- Skipping the referral: ACTES is accessed by clinician referral, so an assessment is part of getting the right equipment.
- Forgetting the concession card: the scheme targets people holding a Pension Concession Card or Low Income Health Care Card.
- Assuming short-term conditions qualify: the scheme is for long-term illness or disability, not temporary needs.
- Buying equipment first: speak to a clinician about ACTES before purchasing, so you do not pay full price for something the scheme could subsidise.
Related Benefits
- ACT Companion Card — a free second ticket and fare for the carer of a person with significant disability.
- ACT Disability Parking Permit — free parking and unlimited time for permit holders.
- ACT Low Vision Aids — subsidised aids for people with low vision.
- ACT Spectacles Subsidy Scheme — help with the cost of glasses for cardholders.
- Disability Support Pension — federal income support for long-term incapacity.
- Low Income Health Care Card — federal concession card for people on a low income.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does ACTES pay me money?
No. ACTES subsidises the supply of aids and assistive equipment; it is not a cash payment.
Who is it for?
ACT residents with a long-term illness or disability who hold a Pension Concession Card or Low Income Health Care Card and are not funded by the NDIS.
Can I use it if I am on the NDIS?
No. ACTES is for people who are not on the NDIS; if the NDIS funds your equipment, that is the pathway to use.
How do I access it?
Through a clinician referral. A health professional assesses your needs and refers you, and you provide your concession card.
What kind of equipment is covered?
Aids and assistive equipment that support daily living, mobility and safety at home, matched to your assessed need.
Is there an income test?
Eligibility is targeted through the requirement to hold a Pension Concession Card or Low Income Health Care Card, which identify low-income residents.
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