January 2026

We, the undersigned organisations, urge the Australian Government to act now to stamp out an emerging practice that is eroding older people’s choice and control.

We are aware that some Support at Home providers are pressuring assistive technology and home modifications suppliers for rebates, commissions or flat-fee payments. In return, suppliers may receive referrals or “preferred supplier” status. Those who refuse these arrangements risk being sidelined, even when they offer high-quality, cost-effective products and services.

In a system where providers control older people’s funds and act as gatekeepers to the market, this is dangerous. It undermines older people’s rights, distorts fair competition and cuts across the intent of the new Aged Care Act and Aged Care Quality Standards. Older people and their families reasonably expect that advice about equipment and services is independent and needs-based, not influenced by undisclosed commercial deals.

New caps on care management and package charges limit the revenue providers can lawfully draw from consumer funds. This makes side payments and “rebate” arrangements more attractive to some organisations under financial pressure.

Without clear regulatory boundaries, the current settings can unintentionally reward those who chase these incentives rather than those who act ethically in the interests of older people.

We urge the Government to take decisive action to protect older people’s rights, and safeguard the integrity of the Support at Home program by:

1. Amending the Aged Care Code of Conduct (via the Aged Care Rules) so that it clearly states that approved providers, their staff and related entities must not:
   • solicit, request, offer or accept financial or other benefits from suppliers in return for referrals, recommendations, prioritisation or placement on “preferred supplier” lists; or
   • structure pricing or contracts in a way that disguises such

The Code should make explicit that these arrangements are incompatible with integrity, transparency and the requirement to act in the best interests of older people.

2. Directing the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission to treat undisclosed referral incentives and kickbacks that compromise consumer choice as serious breaches of the Code and Quality Standards, with access to the full range of regulatory response, including:
   • improvement notices and enforceable undertakings
   • administrative and civil penalties, and
   • in serious or repeated cases, suspension or revocation of approved provider registration.
3. Updating the Rules and Commission guidance to require approved providers to maintain robust conflict-of-interest policies covering relationships with suppliers and other commercial entities.

Media Contact

Serena Ovens,
CEO Assistive Technology Suppliers Australia Ltd
Mb: 0411 327 877
email: serena.ovens@atsa.org.au

This Statement has been endorsed by the following national peak bodies:

• Allied Health Professionals Australia (AHPA)
• Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA)
• Australian Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology Association (ARATA)
• Assistive Technology Suppliers Australia Ltd (ATSA)
• Blind Citizens Australia (BCA)
• Council on the Ageing Australia (COTA)
• Disability Advocacy Network Australia (DANA)
• Limbs4Life
• Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN)
• Occupational Therapy Australia (OTA)
• Spinal Cord Injuries Australia (SCIA)
• Spinal Life Australia

And ATSA Members:

• Acorn Stairlifts
• Active Mobility
• Aged Care and Medical
• Aidacare
• Assistive Technology
• Astec Equipment Services
• Astley Mobility
• Astris PME
• Avail
• Balance Mobility
• Back to Sleep
• BB Furniture plus Mobility
• Care Alert
• Country Care Group
• CircleTalk
• Coast Care Medical
• Dawn Clocks
• Disability Hire Vehicles
• Etac
• European Bedding
• Everyday Mobility
• For-de Group
• Independent Living Specialists
• Lime Healthcare
• Limitless
• Mcare Digital
• Medimart
• Metro Mobility
• Mobility Joy
• Mobility Modification Services
• Mobility for All
• Mobility Care
• Mobility Engineering
• Motion Specialties
• Move Mobility
• Muvetech
• Newcastle Mobility
• Para Mobility
• Peak Care Group
• Peninsula Home Healthcare
• Permobil
• Perth Mobility
• Pharmacy Plus
• PLEGA Healthcare
• Regional Health and Mobility
• Scooters and Mobility ACT
• Scooters and Mobility Group
• Scooters and Mobility Kingsgrove
• Seating Matters
• Showerbuddy
• Sleep Electric
• Sleeptit
• Solutions for Active Living
• Statewide Home Healthcare
• Super Pharmacy Plus
• The Mobility Store
• Thrive Mobility
• Thrive Lifecare
• Total Ability
• Totally Mobile
• Trionic Australia
• Verve OT
• Watercomfort
• Wheelchairs and Stuff
• White Cross Healthcare Solutions
• Wicked Wheelchairs
• WILA Innovations
• Zyteq