What a continence assessment looks at
Many disabilities affect bladder or bowel control, or make toileting hard to manage on your own. A continence assessment is about finding the right mix of products, equipment and support so you stay comfortable, healthy and able to get on with your day.
The assessor will usually ask about:
- Your bladder and bowel patterns, including leaks, urgency, constipation and night time needs
- Your health history, medicines, diet and fluids
- How you get to and use the toilet, and any help you need
- Skin health and any risk of pressure injury or infection
- The products you use now, how well they work and how many you go through
- What matters to you, such as going out, work, sleep, privacy and dignity
Who does it
A continence nurse, often called a nurse continence specialist, usually leads the assessment. Depending on your needs, others may be involved:
- An occupational therapist, for toilet access, transfers, commodes, rails and bathroom changes
- A physiotherapist with pelvic health training, for pelvic floor and bowel or bladder retraining
- A dietitian, where diet and fluids play a big part
- Your GP or a specialist, to check for medical causes that need treatment
What the report recommends
A useful report is specific. It should list the products and quantities you need, the equipment, the routine, and who needs training. Common recommendations include:
- Continence products such as pads, pull ups, catheters, drainage bags or bed protection, with estimated monthly quantities
- Equipment such as a commode, shower chair, toilet frame, hoist or bidet seat
- A toileting or bowel care plan for support workers to follow
- Training for family and support workers, for example in catheter care or complex bowel care
- When to review, because needs and products change
How the NDIS funds continence
Continence is one of the disability related health supports the NDIS can fund when the need relates to your disability. Products are usually paid from your Core budget as consumables. The nurse's or therapist's assessment and training time usually comes from Capacity Building. Registered nurse support has a 2026/27 price limit of $128.05 an hour for weekday daytime in most of Australia, and occupational therapy $193.99 an hour.
Continence and menstrual consumables are protected from the funding reset that started on 1 October 2026, and so are disability related health supports. Some complex care, such as complex bowel care and urinary catheter care, counts as high intensity support, so the workers who provide it must be trained for your needs.
Treating a medical cause, such as an infection, surgery or medicines, is the job of the health system, not the NDIS.
Other help: the Continence Aids Payment Scheme
The Continence Aids Payment Scheme (CAPS) is a separate yearly payment from Services Australia towards continence products. You need to be 5 or older, have permanent and severe incontinence confirmed by a registered health professional, and have an eligible condition. Some people also need a Pensioner Concession Card.
You generally cannot be funded twice for the same products, so if you get continence products through your NDIS plan, check with Services Australia and your plan manager before relying on CAPS as well.
Tips before your assessment
- Keep a simple bladder and bowel diary for 3 to 7 days if you can
- Write down the products you use now and how many you use each day
- Note what goes wrong: leaks at night, skin problems, trouble getting to the toilet in time
- Ask the assessor to put quantities and reasons in writing for your plan
- Share the plan with everyone who supports you so care is consistent