Disability Services Regulations 2004

whether there are comparable supports which would achieve the same outcome at a substantially lower cost;

whether there is evidence that the support will substantially improve the life stage outcomes for, and be of long‑term benefit to, the participant;

whether funding or provision of the support is likely to reduce the cost of the funding of supports for the participant in the long‑term (for example, some early intervention supports may be value for money given their potential to avoid or delay reliance on more costly supports);

for supports that involve the provision of equipment or modifications —

the comparative cost of purchasing or leasing the equipment or modifications; and

whether there are any expected changes in technology or the participant’s circumstances in the short‑term that would make it inappropriate to fund the equipment or modifications;

whether the cost of the support is comparable to the cost of supports of the same kind that are provided in the area in which the participant resides;

whether the support will increase the participant’s independence and reduce the participant’s need for other kinds of supports (for example, some home modifications may reduce a participant’s need for home care).