Funding pathways for continence products in Australia vary according to eligibility, age, disability-related needs, aged care arrangements and veteran status.
This page provides general information about CAPS, NDIS, Support at Home and DVA pathways. Each program has different eligibility, assessment, purchasing and payment requirements.
Svelte does not assess eligibility, approve funding or determine clinical suitability. We can provide product information, quotes, invoices and receipts where relevant to a purchase.
Funding rules can change. Check the linked official government information or contact the relevant program before relying on a particular pathway.
Where Should I Start?
- Buying for yourself or someone you support: Check whether CAPS, NDIS, Support at Home or DVA may apply to your circumstances.
- NDIS participant: Review the NDIS purchasing information for self-managed and plan-managed orders.
- Receiving Support at Home services: Speak with your provider about whether continence products are included in your approved care arrangements.
- Veteran, war widow or eligible dependant: Speak with an appropriate health provider or DVA about access through the Rehabilitation Appliances Program.
- Not sure where to begin: Contact the National Continence Helpline or the relevant government program for general guidance.
CAPS (Continence Aids Payment Scheme)
CAPS is an Australian Government payment that helps eligible people with some of the cost of continence products.
It is generally intended for eligible people aged five years or older with permanent and severe incontinence confirmed by a registered health professional. Eligibility criteria and exclusions apply, so check Services Australia for the current requirements.
The payment rate and payment arrangements are set by Services Australia and may change over time.
If CAPS applies to you, you can use the payment towards continence products purchased from a supplier of your choice.
Svelte can provide a receipt or invoice for your personal records where required.
If you are unsure whether you may qualify, check the official Services Australia information or contact the National Continence Helpline.
NDIS
Svelte supports self-managed and plan-managed NDIS orders where continence consumables are funded and appropriate to the participant’s plan.
Agency-managed orders cannot be processed directly at this stage. Participants, nominees or providers may contact Svelte for general ordering guidance.
The NDIS may fund continence supports where they relate to a participant’s disability and meet the relevant funding criteria. Supporting evidence, product information or a continence assessment may be required depending on the participant’s circumstances.
Svelte does not assess eligibility, approve funding or determine clinical suitability. We can provide product information, quotes and invoices to support the purchasing process.
If you are unsure how your funding is managed, your plan manager, support coordinator or NDIA contact can help confirm whether your plan is self-managed, plan-managed or agency-managed
- NDIS ordering information
- Read the NDIS continence supports guidance
- Read the NDIS continence consumables guide (PDF)
Support at Home
Support at Home replaced the Home Care Packages Program and Short-Term Restorative Care Programme from 1 November 2025. The Commonwealth Home Support Program is expected to transition later, no earlier than 1 July 2027.
Support for continence consumables under Support at Home can depend on your individual circumstances and approved support plan. If you are already receiving Support at Home, speak with your provider about whether continence consumables may be covered under your approved services.
People receiving Support at Home may also be able to receive CAPS if they meet the current CAPS eligibility criteria. Some government-funded care arrangements can affect eligibility, so check the current Services Australia guidance or contact the CAPS team before relying on either pathway.
If you are new to aged care support, My Aged Care is usually the best place to start. An aged care assessment may be needed before some supports can be accessed, and your GP or provider may be able to assist with this.
- Support at Home overview
- Support at Home continence consumables guidance
- My Aged Care – Support at Home
DVA
Some eligible veterans, war widows, widowers and dependants may be able to access continence products through DVA programs, depending on clinical need and DVA eligibility arrangements.
DVA's Rehabilitation Appliances Program (RAP) includes continence products for eligible clients, based on clinical need and the relevant prescribing arrangements. Access may require assessment or prescription by an appropriate health professional.
RAP-funded continence products are accessed through DVA’s clinical assessment, prescription and contracted-supplier pathway. Svelte cannot currently process DVA-funded RAP orders directly.
If DVA support may apply to you, we recommend checking the RAP information or speaking with your GP, treating health professional or DVA contact.
Need Help Working Out Which Pathway May Apply?
If you are unsure which funding pathway may be relevant, the National Continence Helpline provides free, confidential information and advice to people across Australia.
Call: 1800 33 00 66
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8am–8pm (VIC time)
Closed on national public holidays
The Helpline can also provide information about continence products, local services and possible funding pathways.
Continence Health Australia provides further information about continence products, support services and financial-assistance pathways.
Other support options may also exist, including state-based equipment schemes or carer-support services. The National Continence Helpline or Continence Health Australia may be able to direct you to relevant resources.
- National Continence Helpline
- Book a National Continence Helpline call back
- Continence Health Australia
For Organisations and Support Teams
Invoices are due on receipt. Orders are dispatched after payment has been received.
If you are ordering or reviewing products on behalf of a participant, resident or client, Svelte can assist with:
- Plan-managed purchasing imformation
- Quotes, invoices and supporting documentation
- Sizing information
- Product information relevant for funding-related purchase
- General ordering guidance
Svelte Support
If you have questions about Svelte ordering, sizing, plan-managed purchasing, quotes, invoices or receipts, our team can help with general product and ordering information.
Svelte does not assess eligibility, approve funding or determine whether a product is clinically suitable for an individual