Continence products
NDIS support
Products used to manage continence, such as pads, catheters and related supplies, along with advice on choosing what suits the person.
The short answer
Continence products help manage bladder and bowel control, and include pads, catheters and related supplies. The right products depend on the person, so professional advice matters.
About Continence products
Continence needs are personal, and what works for one person may not work for another. Products range from absorbent pads and pull-ups to catheters, drainage bags and skin care items. Choosing well involves fit, absorbency, comfort, skin health and how easy the product is to use.
A continence nurse or another health professional can assess your needs and recommend products, and can also look for causes and treatments, not just products. Getting advice early can improve comfort and protect skin, and it can reduce waste from buying products that do not suit.
Many suppliers deliver on a regular schedule, which saves trips and helps you avoid running out. It is worth checking how easy it is to change products or quantities if your needs change, and how to reach someone if something is not working.
Who is this service for?
People who need products to manage continence, along with advice on which products suit them.
What a typical session looks like
Getting the right continence products usually begins with a conversation, often with a continence nurse, a physiotherapist or your doctor, about what you need and what is comfortable and practical. Products are then chosen and supplied, and you learn how to use them, change them and dispose of them with dignity and confidence.
Ongoing supply is part of the routine. Some people receive regular deliveries so they do not run out, while others buy what they need as they go. It is worth reviewing your products from time to time, because the right choice can change with your health, your activities and the seasons.
Who delivers this support
Continence nurses and physiotherapists with a special interest in continence can assess needs and advise on products and management. Suppliers provide the products and often offer advice, while support workers may help with using them. A good starting point is speaking to your doctor or a continence service about the cause of the problem, since some causes can be treated or improved.
How to choose a provider
- Ask whether the supplier can recommend products or works with a continence nurse.
- Check how deliveries work and whether you can change quantities.
- Ask about samples so you can try products before committing.
- Find out how discreet the packaging and delivery are.
- Ask how to contact them if a product is not suitable.
Questions to ask a provider
- Can someone assess my needs before I choose products?
- Which products are available, and can I try samples to find what works?
- How and how often are products delivered, and can I change the order?
- Is the delivery packaged discreetly?
- Who can I contact if a product is not working for me or I have skin problems?
- Are there other treatments or strategies that could reduce how much I rely on products?
Common mistakes to avoid
- Choosing products without an assessment, and ending up with the wrong type or size.
- Not reviewing products after a change in health, weight or activity.
- Overlooking treatments or exercises that might improve the underlying problem.
- Running out because there is no regular supply arrangement.
- Not raising skin irritation or discomfort early with a nurse or doctor.
Getting started
- Speak to your doctor or a continence nurse about your needs.
- Try samples of recommended products.
- Choose a supplier and agree a delivery schedule.
- Review your products regularly and tell your health professional about changes.
How it fits with the rest of your plan
Continence products are one part of managing continence, alongside assessment, treatment, exercises, diet and personal care. They work best as part of a plan that also asks whether anything else can help. Regular reviews make sure the products still suit you and help keep skin healthy and comfortable.
Eligibility
You can use NDIS funding for Continence products if it is included in your NDIS plan. The NDIS funds supports that are reasonable and necessary: they relate to your disability, help you pursue your goals and represent value for money. Not sure whether it is in your plan? Check your plan, or ask your planner, Local Area Coordinator or support coordinator. You can also arrange it privately.
Funding
Which part of an NDIS plan pays for Continence products depends on the specific support and on how your plan is set up. Your planner, Local Area Coordinator or support coordinator can confirm where it fits, and providers can give you a quote to check against your budget. Many NDIS supports have price limits, so ask providers for a quote and check it against the current NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits. Whether your plan is managed by the NDIA, by a plan manager or by you, ask for a written quote and a service agreement before you start. If your plan is plan-managed or self-managed you can use providers who are not registered with the NDIS. If it is NDIA-managed you generally need a registered provider.
What it costs
Supports such as Continence products that are funded by the NDIS are paid at rates that follow the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits, which the NDIA reviews regularly. Many items have a maximum price, and some prices are higher in remote areas. Before you start, ask for a written quote that lists each support, the hours and the price, and check it against the current NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits on the NDIS website. A provider may charge less than a limit. If you pay privately, the provider sets its own fees. Plan-managed and self-managed participants can also use providers who are not registered, and those providers set their own prices.
Nursing providers on the NDIS register
8,227 NDIS providers list nursing supports on the NDIS Commission register of registered providers. A register listing shows what the register says, not who has capacity.
Providers listing nursing
- 1 Abbira Care Services - VIC; includes Fraser Rise, VIC
- 1 All Care - SA; includes Findon, SA
- 1 Care Connect - NSW; includes Manly, NSW; Rooty Hill, NSW; Rosehill, NSW
- 1 Heart Care Services - NSW; includes Orange, NSW
- 1 In Town Services - SA; includes Mansfield Park, SA
- 1 The Helpers - NSW; includes Parramatta, NSW
- 1-Care - NSW; includes Lalor Park, NSW
- 10 Plus Care - VIC; includes Camberwell, VIC
- 121 Best Care - QLD; includes Calamvale, QLD
- 13 Care Solutions - VIC; includes Cobblebank, VIC
- 13 Health Service Organisation - VIC; includes Donnybrook, VIC
- 13homecare - NSW; includes Doonside, NSW
See all 8,227 nursing providers
Listings by state and territory
- New South Wales (2,692)
- Victoria (2,375)
- Queensland (1,539)
- South Australia (857)
- Western Australia (812)
- Australian Capital Territory (207)
- Tasmania (156)
- Northern Territory (156)
Suburbs with the most listings
- Brisbane, QLD (407)
- Melbourne, VIC (330)
- Sydney, NSW (246)
- Perth, WA (205)
- Central Coast, NSW (197)
- Adelaide, SA (185)
- Blacktown, NSW (169)
- Parramatta, NSW (155)
- Ipswich, QLD (140)
- Geelong, VIC (127)
- Tarneit, VIC (127)
- Canberra, ACT (125)
Listings covering the most areas
- Permalink Support Services - 503 areas
- Nurse Next Door Batemans Bay - 413 areas
- Hunter Valley Care & Assistance - 249 areas
- Nurse Next Door Ballarat - 233 areas
- Nurse Next Door Armidale - 230 areas
- Nurse Next Door Wagga Wagga - 207 areas
- Nurse Next Door Canberra - 189 areas
- Huge Care - 188 areas
Checking credentials
- Check registration Search the NDIS Commission's register of registered providers to see whether a provider is registered and for which types of support. Plan-managed and self-managed participants can also use unregistered providers.
- Ask about worker screening Ask whether workers hold a current NDIS Worker Screening Check where their role requires one, and how the provider checks its workers' identity and qualifications.
- Get it in writing Ask for a written quote and a service agreement that describes the support, the prices, how to change or end it and how to make a complaint.
Regulation and safeguards
NDIS providers and their workers must follow the NDIS Code of Conduct, and registered providers are regulated by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.
- NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission Regulates NDIS providers and handles complaints about the quality and safety of NDIS supports. Phone: 1800 035 544.
- National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) Runs the NDIS. Contact them about your plan, your funding and eligibility. Phone: 1800 800 110.
Related services
- Customised prosthetics and orthotics
- Hearing services and audiology
- Home enteral nutrition (HEN)
- Individualised Living Options (ILO)
Frequently asked questions
What continence products are available?
Options include pads and pull-ups, catheters, bags and related supplies. The right choice depends on the person, so professional advice is important.
Who can advise me on continence products?
A continence nurse or other health professional can assess your needs and recommend products. Your doctor can refer you, and some suppliers also offer advice.
Can products be delivered?
Many suppliers deliver to your home on a regular schedule. Ask about delivery times, what happens if your needs change, and how to reorder.
Where can I get advice about continence?
Your doctor can refer you to a continence nurse or specialist. There are also national helplines and services that give information.
Can continence problems be treated?
Often. Many causes can be improved or managed, so it is worth speaking to a health professional rather than relying only on products.
What if a product causes skin irritation?
Stop using it and speak to your nurse or doctor. Skin problems can develop quickly and are worth addressing early.
Do I need an assessment to get continence products?
An assessment helps make sure you get the right type and fit and that any treatable cause has been looked at. Many people find it valuable, and some funding arrangements ask for one.
Is it embarrassing to talk about continence?
It is a common health issue, and professionals who work in this area deal with it every day. Being open about what you need helps them find the best solution for you.
Can products be delivered to my home?
Many suppliers offer home delivery, often in plain packaging. Ask about delivery options and how orders are changed when your needs change.
Can I use my NDIS plan to pay for Continence products?
If Continence products is in your NDIS plan and is reasonable and necessary for you, then yes. Check with your planner, Local Area Coordinator or support coordinator. You can also arrange it privately.
How do I find a Continence products provider near me?
Browse providers on SolDirectory, or send a free enquiry with your location and what you need and suitable providers will review it. Then ask each one about availability, a quote and a service agreement before you decide. Details come from providers and registers, so confirm them directly.
Sources and further reading
- NDIS: how the NDIS works, plans and price limits
- NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission: find a registered provider, make a complaint
Browse the NDIS and aged care provider directory
Helpful reading
- How to choose an NDIS provider: 12 questions to ask before you commit: A practical checklist for comparing providers, from how a service fits your plan to what happens when something goes wrong.
- Registered or unregistered? What it means when you choose an NDIS provider: Registered and unregistered providers can both be legitimate, but the rules, checks and options for your plan are not the same. Here is how to think about the difference.
- How to change NDIS provider without losing support: You are allowed to change providers. A little planning means the new service is ready before the old one ends, and nothing falls through the gap.