In Australia, the market for assistance devices, aids and equipment is relatively small, spread out over large areas, and often requires products that need to be highly customised to suit individual needs. In addition, regulatory compliance and testing costs are a significant factor for developers of assistive devices, aids and equipment. Companies attempting to import assistance devices, aids and equipment from other countries are often faced with minor non-compliance issues, which lead to further delays for appropriate products.390
These factors increase development costs considerably, and serve as a serious disincentive for the development of low volume assistance devices, aids and equipment that would otherwise lead to products being more readily available to people with disability.
