What Are Continence Supports?
Continence supports are products or assistance designed to help you manage incontinence — the accidental or involuntary loss of:
Urine from the bladder (urinary incontinence)
Faeces from the bowel (faecal incontinence)
Incontinence can range from minor leaks to a complete loss of bladder or bowel control.
If you experience incontinence, it’s important to speak to your doctor first. They can link you to Medicare-funded health services and provide assessments to determine the right supports.
📖 Learn more: NDIS Disability-Related Health Supports
Mainstream and Community Continence Supports
The Australian health system and community services provide continence support for everyone, regardless of disability. This includes:
Medicare: Covers assessments, diagnosis, and some in-hospital continence supports.
Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS): Funds most continence-related medications such as suppositories and enemas.
Continence Aids Payment Scheme (CAPS): Provides an annual payment to eligible people with permanent and severe incontinence.
Stoma Appliance Scheme (SAS): Offers free stoma products and appliances for eligible participants.
🔗 Learn more:
What the NDIS Can Fund
The NDIS funds continence supports if they are:
Directly related to your disability
Reasonable and necessary for your daily life
Examples of NDIS-funded continence supports include:
Products: Pads, nappies, bedding protection, liners, anal plugs
Catheter or stoma products: Collection bags, bottles, straps, and tape
Postage costs for delivery of continence products
Services: Continence assessments and reviews by a qualified nurse or health professional
Training: For support workers, family, or carers to assist with continence needs
📌 Note: Evidence from a continence nurse or other qualified health professional is required for funding approval.
Children and Continence Supports
The NDIS may fund continence supports for children if they need substantially more help than children of the same age without disability. Supports may include:
Daytime continence products
Night-time continence products (e.g., nappies)
Bed wetting alarms recommended by a continence nurse
Funding is only approved if evidence shows the needs are disability-related.
📖 Learn more: NDIS Early Childhood Approach
How to Get Continence Supports in Your NDIS Plan
Consult your doctor or continence nurse
Get a continence assessment – detailing products, services, and frequency of use
Work with your NDIS contact or support coordinator to submit your request
Provide evidence – using the NDIS Continence Related Assistive Technology Assessment Template or a professional report
If Your Request Is Declined
If continence supports are not approved:
You’ll receive written reasons for the decision
You can request an internal review within 3 months
📖 Learn more: NDIS Internal Review Process
Final Thoughts
NDIS continence supports can improve your comfort, dignity, and independence. By understanding what’s funded, gathering the right evidence, and working closely with your NDIS contact, you can improve your chances of having continence supports included in your plan.
At Complete Money Management, we help participants navigate the NDIS, prepare strong applications, and manage their budgets for essential health supports.