The Personal Alert Systems Rebate Scheme (the Rebate Scheme) is an initiative of the Government of South Australia, and is administered by the Department for Communities and Social Inclusion (DCSI).
The Rebate Scheme aims to support frail older South Australians, who are at risk of falls or medical emergencies, to live independently in their own homes for longer, by assisting them to obtain a personal alert system.
A personal alert system is a device that enables people to call for help in an emergency if they are unable to access or use a telephone. Personal alert systems generally consist of a lightweight pendant worn on the wrist or around the neck that can be activated to alert someone, such as neighbours, relatives, friends or a monitoring centre, in an emergency. By pressing a button on the pendant, a signal or message is sent and a personalised pre-agreed response put into action.
The Rebate Scheme provides a rebate of up to $380 for approved applicants for the purchase and installation of an approved personal alert system, and up to $250 per year towards the cost of monitoring services. Rebates are paid via preferred suppliers.
From 1 November 2013, once an applicant has had their application assessed and has received an approval number, they may obtain their personal alert system from a preferred supplier of their choice at the rebated amount. The supplier will invoice DCSI directly for the rebate.
From 1 November 2013, the applicant’s approved monitoring service will invoice DCSI quarterly in arrears for direct recovery of the monitoring rebate amount. Applicants approved for monitoring rebates will only need to pay the Supplier any monitoring amount in excess of the monitoring rebate maximum amount of $250 per annum.
Personal Alert Systems
Rebate Scheme
Definitions and Interpretation
These terms and conditions should be read in conjunction with the Personal Alert Systems Rebate Scheme Client Information Sheet, the Information on Choosing a Personal Alert System document, and the Application for Approval form.
Definitions
1. In this Rebate Scheme:
Applicant means a person who applies for a rebate under the Rebate Scheme.
Approved Applicant means an applicant whose application has been approved for a
price-rebated system and/or monitoring under the Rebate Scheme.
Approved Personal Alert System means a personal alert system that is eligible for a
rebate under the Rebate Scheme.
Autodialler means a personal alert system that, when activated, dials a series of
pre-programmed numbers. The user activates the system by pressing a button on a pendant that is normally worn around their neck or on their wrist. When one of the dialled numbers is answered, the device indicates that assistance is required. There is no single Australian Standard that defines the type of equipment, materials and manufacturing, or protocol for the use of autodialler systems.
Eligibility Criteria means the criteria and requirements specified in clauses 2 to 7 of this
document, which are used to assess whether an application can be accepted.
Minister means the Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion.
Monitored System means a personal alert system that connects the user to a
monitoring centre, which can initiate and verify a personalised pre-agreed response. The user activates the system by pressing a button on a pendant that is normally worn around the neck or on the wrist. Monitored systems must meet Australian Standard AS 4607-1999 Personal Response Systems, or its latest revision.
Personal Alert System means a device that enables people to seek assistance quickly
in an emergency. Under the Rebate Scheme, there are two types of approved personal alert systems: monitored systems and autodiallers. At a minimum, all systems must be compliant with relevant electrical and telecommunications standards, which allow for their use in Australia.
Rebate means the rebate/s paid to an approved applicant via a preferred supplier
for the purchase, installation and monitoring costs of an approved system under the Rebate Scheme.
Rebate Scheme means the Personal Alert Systems Rebate Scheme set out in
this document.
Registered Health Professional means:
- registered medical practitioner - registered physiotherapist
- registered occupational therapist - nursing practitioner or registered nurse
System means any type of personal alert system, whether approved or not approved
under the Rebate Scheme.
Eligibility Criteria
2. To be eligible for the Rebate Scheme, applicants must meet the criteria and requirements specified in clauses 2 to 7.
Age and Concessions Criteria
3. To be eligible for a rebate, an applicant must: - be aged 75 years or older*
- have a Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card or a Department of Veterans’ Affairs Pensioner Concession Card
- be a permanent resident of South Australia. * Or if of Aboriginal descent, 65 years or older.
Clinical Criteria
4. To be eligible for a rebate, an applicant must meet all the following clinical criteria: - be at high risk of falls, and
- suffer from a major medical or chronic condition that requires an immediate and urgent response in an emergency, and
- have a referral from a registered health professional who has certified that the applicant meets the clinical and functional criteria.
Functional Criteria
5. Applicants need to have sufficient physical and cognitive function to wear and operate the personal alert system.
6. Applicants must be willing to wear the alert system 24 hours a day and to activate the system, if necessary.
Social Criteria
7. To be eligible for a rebate, an applicant must meet one or more of the following social criteria:
- be living alone, or
- be alone for most of the day or night, or
- live exclusively with someone who is unable to get to the phone in an emergency, or is unable to use the phone.
Note: “Most of the day or night” means at least five continuous hours, at least four times per week.
Excluded from the Rebate Scheme are:
8. Veterans or veterans’ widows/widowers who are eligible under the Department of Veterans’ Affairs’ Rehabilitation Appliances Program, or holders of a Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card.
9. People who live independently in a retirement village where a personal alert system, or similar service, is included in the residence contract.
10. People who live in supported accommodation, such as a Supported Residential Facility or residential aged care facility.
Eligibility Criteria
Requirements for all Approved Systems
11. To be approved for a rebate, a personal alert system must:
- enable the user to remain independent and mobile around the home
- have a remote activation device (alarm button) that can be worn 24 hours a day, (for example a pendant that is worn around the neck, on the wrist, or attached to a belt) - have remote activation device (alarm button) that is water resistant
- ensure the call for assistance is answered by a live person, (for example a family member, friend, neighbour or monitoring service)
- recognise and ignore an answering machine or automated messaging service - have the capability for two-way communication between the user and recipient
of the call
- operate through a standard telephone line
- be compliant with relevant electrical and telecommunications standards. For a list of currently approved personal alert systems, please look online at www.sa.gov.au/concessions/pasrs or contact DCSI on 1300 700 169 or the Independent Living Centre (ILC) on 1300 885 886.
Monitored Systems
12. In addition to those requirements detailed in clause 11, in order to be approved for a rebate, a monitored system must comply with Australian Standard AS 4607-1999 Personal Response Systems, or its latest revision.
Autodiallers
13. In addition to those requirements detailed in clause 11, in order to be approved for a rebate an autodialler system must:
- have the capacity to store at least five pre-programmed telephone or mobile numbers - continue dialling the pre-programmed numbers until the call for assistance is
answered live.
14. The following types of autodiallers are not eligible for a rebate:
- those that stop dialling the pre-programmed numbers after one attempt at dialling each number or
Ineligible Products and Systems
15. The following products and systems are not eligible for a rebate: - systems that only dial triple-zero (000) or dial triple-zero by default - systems that rely on the Internet
- systems and services that only perform a daily phone check
- systems that rely exclusively on fixed alarm buttons, such as those fixed to a wall or telephone
- mobile phones, including those with an emergency call button
- intercom systems that allow communication between two rooms or nearby premises - personal alarms that only emit a high-pitched shriek and/or flashing lights
when activated.
Suppliers
16. Personal Alert System Suppliers who supply systems or services under the Rebate Scheme must have entered into a Panel Deed arrangement with the Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion.
A copy of the Panel Deed can be viewed here:
www.dcsi.sa.gov.au/services/community-development/community-connect/personal-alert-systems-rebate-scheme
Conditions of the Rebate General Conditions
17. From 1 December 2014, applicants who wish to be considered for a rebate must apply and be approved by the Rebate Scheme prior to purchase of a personal alert system.
18. From 1 December 2014, rebates for monitoring services will also be available for approved applicants and approved personal alert systems, from the date of approval. 19. A rebate of up to $380 is available for approved applicants via a preferred supplier for
the purchase and installation of approved monitored systems and autodiallers.
20. A rebate of up to $250 per year is available for approved applicants via a preferred supplier for monitoring services on approved monitored systems.
21. Applicants are eligible to apply for the purchase and installation rebate no more than once every five years.
22. Rebates for monitoring services will be paid via a preferred supplier quarterly in arrears. Approved applicants will only need to pay any amount in excess of the monitoring rebate directly to the supplier.
23. Rebates are not available for rented, leased or hired systems. Systems that form part or all of an insurance claim are not eligible for a rebate.
24. The system must be installed at the applicant’s residential address in South Australia. 25. The rebate is not available for costs associated with:
- the services of the referring health professional
- installation of, or adjustment to, a power point, telephone or telephone line - home modifications
- modifications to existing systems - telephone charges
- additional pendants
- peripheral equipment, such as key boxes.
26. Only one rebate can be approved per household under the Rebate Scheme for an approved system (with or without monitoring).
Liability
27. Neither the Minister or the Crown in right of South Australia is responsible for:
- ensuring any personal alert system purchased under the Rebate Scheme is in proper working order
- the quality of installation or any repairs to faulty or damaged equipment
- how effectively a personal alert system purchased under the Rebate Scheme is used - the adequacy or otherwise of any response, or lack of response, or any other
consequence, of activating the personal alert system.
28. Should the system require installation by an electrician, it is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the electrician is appropriately licensed.
29. Neither the Minister nor the Crown in right of South Australia is responsible for items lost or delayed in the mail, nor any remittance delayed due to incorrect rebate applications.
30. The Minister reserves the right for officers of DCSI to conduct field inspections to verify a claim. In the event that the applicant is found to be in breach of these terms and conditions, the rebate amount must be repaid.
31. The Minister and DCSI have taken all reasonable care to accurately and correctly convey the scope of the Rebate Scheme and of the applicant’s entitlements under the Rebate Scheme, and shall not be liable for any inadvertent errors. Furthermore, neither the Minister nor DCSI asserts that the Rebate Scheme is in all cases appropriate for every older South Australian.
32. The Minister reserves the right to alter or change the terms and conditions of the Rebate Scheme or to cancel the Rebate Scheme at any time.
33. Information provided on the application form may be used to measure and monitor the success of the Rebate Scheme. Rebate recipients consent to and recognise that officers of DCSI may contact them to conduct research about the products purchased.
34. The applicant’s personal information will only be used or disclosed for purposes relating to the Rebate Scheme in accordance with the Government of South
Australia’s Information Privacy Principles Instruction. Applicants wishing to update or access the information that DCSI holds about them should contact DCSI.
Application and Reimbursement Conditions
35. Applications for the rebate must be made using the Application for Approval form. Application forms will not be accepted if they are incomplete.
36. Upon receipt of a completed application, DCSI will write to the applicant to advise whether the application has been approved. Ineligible applicants will be advised of the reasons why their application is declined.
37. Applicants who have been approved under the Rebate Scheme can obtain a price-rebated system direct from a DCSI approved supplier. A list of approved suppliers and approved systems is available at www.sa.gov.au/concessions/pasrs the ILC and the Seniors Information Service (SIS). The original approval letter must be provided to the supplier of the approved system at the time of purchase and must be verified by the approved supplier. If the original approval letter is not available the system cannot be provided.
Note: If there is a price difference between the rebate value and the system purchase price you will have to pay that difference.
Appeals Process
38. Applicants wishing to discuss a decision relating to their application should contact DCSI.
39. Applicants who are dissatisfied with DCSI’s response, or the outcome of a complaint have the right to refer the matter to the Health and Community Services Complaints Commissioner.
In developing this Rebate Scheme, and these Terms and Conditions, every effort has been made to ensure that the information reflects the intention of the Rebate Scheme and/or represents examples of best known practice. The Crown, the Minister and DCSI will not be liable for any injury, damage or loss sustained by any person in his or her purchase or use of a personal alert system.
The information contained in these resources does not constitute technical, safety, emergency or medical advice.
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Printed: September 2015 | Publication number: DCSI-807 APC F045 version September 2015
Personal Alert Systems Rebate Scheme Concessions and Support Services
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Website: www.sa.gov.au/concessions/pasrs Seniors Information Service
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