What is Enable New Zealand?

Enable New Zealand administers equipment and modification funding on behalf of agencies such as the Ministry of Health. Where a need is not injury-related, support for housing modifications may come through this pathway rather than ACC. An assessor helps determine eligibility and what is funded.

Do I need an occupational therapist?

Usually, yes. Funded bathroom modifications almost always start with an assessment by an occupational therapist, who specifies what the bathroom needs to be safe and usable for you. We build to that specification, so having the OT assessment done is generally the first step.

What might be funded in an accessible bathroom?

It depends on your assessed needs, but common items include a level-entry shower, grab rails, a comfort-height toilet, slip-resistant flooring and lever tapware. The funder decides what is approved based on the assessment. We build what is approved and can quote to the OT's recommendations.

Will funding cover the whole cost?

Sometimes in full, sometimes in part, and sometimes with a contribution from you, depending on the scheme and your circumstances. We are the builder, not the funder, so we cannot promise what you will be granted. What we can do is give you a clear fixed price so you know exactly where any gap sits.

Accessible guide

Funding an accessible bathroom in New Zealand

Accessible bathroom modifications are often funded, in part or in full, which makes them very different from a standard renovation. This guide explains the main funding pathways, how the process usually works, and where a builder like us fits in.

Accessible bathroom with grab rails fitted beside the shower and toilet

A note before anything else: we are a bathroom builder, not a funding agency. This is a plain-English overview of how funding generally works, not advice on your specific entitlement. Always confirm eligibility and amounts directly with the relevant agency or your assessor, as schemes and criteria change over time.

The main funding pathways

ACC Housing Modifications. Where your need relates to an injury ACC has accepted, ACC may fund modifications that help you live safely and independently at home. Bathroom changes are one of the most common.

Enable New Zealand. For needs that are not injury-related, housing modification support may be administered through Enable New Zealand on behalf of agencies such as the Ministry of Health.

Other support. Depending on your circumstances, councils, the SuperGold card scheme and other community options may also help. Your assessor is the best person to point you to the right pathway.

How the process usually runs

1. Assessment. An occupational therapist assesses your needs and recommends what the bathroom requires to be safe and usable.
2. Approval. The funder considers the recommendation and confirms what is approved.
3. Quote and build. We quote to the approved specification with a fixed price, then build it, working from the OT's recommendations.

Where we fit in

We build the bathroom. If you have an OT assessment, we quote to it exactly and build what is approved. If you are at the start and not sure where to begin, we can talk you through how it usually works and what a safe, accessible bathroom involves, so you go into the process informed. See more on our accessible bathrooms page.

FAQs

Funding questions, answered straight

If your need for the modification relates to an injury ACC has accepted a claim for, ACC Housing Modifications may fund changes that help you live safely at home. It usually starts with an assessment, often by an occupational therapist, who recommends what is needed. Eligibility and the amount depend on your situation, so confirm your own circumstances with ACC.

Planning an accessible bathroom?

Book a free in-home visit and we will look at the space, talk through what would help, and work with your OT or funder where there is one.

Book a free quote See package prices