Territory Independence and Mobility Equipment Scheme (TIME)

About TIME

Territory Independence and Mobility Equipment Scheme

The Territory Independence and Mobility Equipment (TIME) Scheme offers equipment, aids and appliances to eligible clients, to enhance their safety and independence, and to assist them to live and participate in their community. 

Clients must meet certain criteria and need to have an assessment by an appropriate professional. There are ceiling levels on the amount of assistance that can be provided for some equipment.

The TIME Scheme has been designed to ensure that clients are provided:

  • Access to appropriate equipment and appliances to meet their assessed needs

  • Access to equipment that assists in maintaining and improving their capacity to remain in the community and to participate in family and community activities

  • Enhanced continuity of care

  • A consistent and equitable prioritisation process, targeted to people most in need

  • A flexible and individualised service.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the TIME Scheme, applicants must meet all of the following criteria: 

  • Have a permanent or long term disability as defined by the Disability Services Act 

  • Are a permanent resident of the Northern Territory

  • Are living in or making a return to the community;

  • Require equipment approved by the TIME Scheme on a permanent or long term basis

  • Are not entitled to receive compensation for the disability which the equipment is to be used for

  • Do not receive the equipment under any other Program/Fund

  • Receive a Centrelink Aged Pension, Centrelink Disability Support Pension, or  a person under 16 years for who is entitled to Centrelink Carer Allowance or Centrelink Carer Payment; or are a child in the care of the Minister; or have been approved as eligible on the basis of Financial Hardship

  • Are not a High Care resident of a Residential Aged Care Facility.

Limitations of the TIME Scheme

The TIME Scheme excludes assistance of:

  • Items under $50.00 (with the exception of continence equipment or feeding tubes required on a recurrent basis)

  • Some repairs and maintenance of equipment

  • Aids or equipment that are to be used in an education or work, or for recreational purposes only

  • Aids or equipment which are considered general household or personal items, (e.g. tables, beds) It is recognised that what constitutes a standard household item in a remote Aboriginal Community may differ from urban settings and as such some flexibility may be applied to specific items

  • Retrospective reimbursement for the purchase or repair of equipment

  • Life support units (ventilators), voice prosthesis, lymphedema garments, burn garments and initial mammary prosthesis and other items associated with medical or surgical interventions

  • Modifications of the home and provision of fixtures for installation in Public Housing.

Equipment Provided

    TIME
The TIME Scheme provides the following categories of equipment:
  • Continence equipment
  • Communication aids and devices
  • Daily Living aids and equipment
  • Feeding equipment and appliances
  • Home modifications
  • Oxygen and respiratory appliances
  • Personal call alarms
  • Pressure care
  • Specialised items
  • Walking aids
  • Wheelchairs
  • Car Modifications

Each item has specific criteria and prioritisation guidelines, ceiling levels and prescriber information.

Eligibility for TIME assistance is not a guarantee that particular aids or equipment will be available. Equipment is provided based on the applications priority and available funding

Useful Resources

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