Funding sources to obtain supplies
People may be eligible for financial support for continence supplies through various schemes or programmes in NSW. Details are below with contact details for further information including eligibility information.
| iCare NSW 1300 738 586 | For participants of Lifetime Care and Support Scheme or Work Cover. All continence supplies deemed reasonable and necessary will be provided under this scheme for eligible participants. |
| National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) 1800 800 110 | For those who are under 65 years, or who have accessed the scheme before they turned 65, are Australian citizens and have a permanent disability. Participants of this scheme will have money allocated towards continence consumables, and have the choice and flexibility for purchasing these. |
| My Aged Care (MAC) 1800 200 422 | For those over 65 years, and on a Home Care Package. Costs of continence products may be provided by the service provider, within the limits of the level of home care package. |
| Continence Aids Payment Scheme (CAPS) 1800 330 066 | For people of any age, that are NOT covered by any of the above schemes, but have permanent and severe incontinence. This payment is administered by Medicare, and is a direct payment, providing consumers with flexibility and choice for purchasing continence products. Contact the National Continence Helpline for details |
| Enable NSW 1800 362 253 | Provides assistance for consumers not covered by icare, NDIS or MAC, have used all of their CAPS assistance payment, but require additional continence supplies. Eligibility criteria applies, including means test to determine co-contribution. |
| Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) | Some oral and rectal medications are available on restricted access via the PBS for people with paraplegia or tetraplegia. Limited oral and rectal medications to assist with the management of a bowel program are also available free of charge under the Forward Ability Support Program, provided the individual is a member of this association and has neurological loss resulting in paraplegia or quadriplegia. The individual must also be eligible for Medicare. |
Contacts for advice
- Local community health nurses
- Local continence advisors
- National Continence Helpline: 1800 330 066
- Forward Ability Support: 02 8741 5600; Information line: 1300 886 601
- Hunter Spinal Cord Injury Service: 02 4925 7888
- NSW Spinal Outreach Service: 02 9808 9666
- NSW Rural Spinal Cord Injury Service: 02 9808 9663
- Royal Rehab Spinal Cord Injury Unit: 02 9808 9222
- Royal North Shore Hospital Spinal Cord Injury Unit: 02 9463 1799
- Prince of Wales Hospital Spinal Cord Injury Unit: 02 9382 2222