CAPS, Support at Home & NDIS — Who Pays for Continence Products in Australia?
Last reviewed: 4 September 2026
If you or someone you care for needs adult nappies, pull-up pants, continence pads or other continence products, understanding who may help pay for them can be confusing.
In Australia, continence products may be self-funded or, depending on eligibility and circumstances, supported through programs such as the Continence Aids Payment Scheme (CAPS) or the NDIS. People receiving Support at Home may also receive funded personal care services that include non-clinical continence management.
The important point is:
Funding for continence care services and funding for continence products are not always the same thing.
This guide explains the differences, where to check funding and how to choose suitable continence products.
Who may help pay for your continence products?
- CAPS
- People with permanent and severe incontinence may be eligible if they meet the other CAPS requirements. Eligible people may receive up to A$739.40 in 2026–27.
- Support at Home
- Approved personal care may include non-clinical continence management. From 1 October 2026, eligible participants with approved personal care and available funding will not pay a participant contribution for those personal care services. This does NOT automatically mean disposable continence products are free.
- NDIS
- Eligible disability-related continence products may be funded as continence consumables depending on individual needs, plan and current NDIS rules.
- CAPS + Support at Home
- Eligible people can receive CAPS while receiving Support at Home.
- Self-funded
- Products can also be purchased privately.
Care service ≠ continence product
A support worker helping someone change a continence pad or pull-up may be providing a personal care service.
The pad, pull-up or adult nappy itself is a continence product.
Different funding rules may apply to the service and the product.
What is CAPS?
The Continence Aids Payment Scheme (CAPS) is an Australian Government program administered by Services Australia. It provides a payment to help eligible people with the cost of continence products.
For 2026–27, eligible people may receive up to A$739.40 per year. This amount is paid directly to the participant and is intended to help offset the cost of products such as adult nappies, pull-up pants and continence pads.
Eligibility conditions apply. To be considered, a person generally needs to have a permanent and severe incontinence condition and meet other criteria set by Services Australia. NappyKing does not assess or determine CAPS eligibility.
For full eligibility details and to apply, visit Services Australia at Services Australia — Continence Aids Payment Scheme.
Can I receive CAPS and Support at Home at the same time?
Yes — eligible people can receive CAPS while also receiving Support at Home. These are separate programs with separate eligibility requirements. Receiving one does not exclude you from the other, provided you meet the relevant criteria for each.
If you are unsure whether you may be eligible for both, contact Services Australia and My Aged Care separately to discuss your circumstances.
Does Support at Home make adult nappies and pads free?
Not automatically.
Support at Home is a home care program that may fund a range of personal care services. Some approved personal care services include non-clinical continence management — for example, a support worker assisting a person to change a continence product.
From 1 October 2026, eligible Support at Home participants with approved personal care and available funding will not pay a participant contribution for those approved personal care services.
However, this applies to the service — not necessarily the product. The adult nappy, pull-up or pad used during that service is a continence product. This change relates to approved personal care services. It does not automatically mean disposable continence products such as pads, pull-up pants or adult nappies are funded. Check your individual arrangements and any other funding you may be eligible for, such as CAPS.
For clarity about what your specific plan covers, speak with your Support at Home provider or contact My Aged Care at myagedcare.gov.au.
Can NDIS funding pay for continence products?
For eligible NDIS participants, disability-related continence products may be funded as continence consumables under the NDIS. This depends on individual needs, the participant’s current plan and current NDIS rules.
Not all participants with continence needs will have continence consumables approved in their plan. The NDIS does not automatically fund adult nappies or continence products for all participants.
To understand what may be available under your specific NDIS plan, contact the NDIS directly at ndis.gov.au or speak with your Support Coordinator or Local Area Coordinator (LAC).
Once funding is sorted, how do I choose the right continence product?
Choosing the right product depends on the individual’s mobility, care needs and absorbency requirements. Here are the key factors to consider:
Mobility
- Independent walkers — pull-up pants are often preferred for ease and dignity.
- Assisted transfers — pull-up pants or tape-fastened nappies may both be suitable depending on the level of assistance needed.
- Limited mobility or bed-bound — tape-fastened adult nappies are generally easier to apply and adjust when the person cannot stand.
Style
- Pull-up pants — worn like regular underwear; suitable for active or independently mobile adults. Browse Unicharm Lifree pull-up pants and Kao Relief pull-up pants.
- Tape-fastened nappies — adjusted via side tabs; suited to assisted care or those with limited mobility.
- Continence pads — worn inside regular or mesh underwear; suitable for lighter to moderate incontinence.
Size
Where available, use waist and hip measurements to select the correct size. A well-fitted product improves comfort, containment and skin health. Size guides are listed on individual product pages.
Absorbency
- Daytime / light use — lower absorbency products may be appropriate for light leakage or short periods between changes.
- Heavy daytime use — medium to high absorbency products are suited to moderate-to-heavy leakage.
- Overnight use — overnight-rated products are designed for extended wear and higher absorbency needs during sleep.
Browse NappyKing’s range of adult nappies and nappy pants, tape-fastened nappies and incontinence pads to compare options by size, absorbency and care needs.
Shop Adult Continence Products
Not sure which product to choose?
Choosing the right continence product is easier when you can try before committing to a full pack. Trial samples allow individuals, families and carers to assess fit, comfort and absorbency before purchasing a full pack.
NappyKing offers single-piece trial samples for several products in its range, including Unicharm Lifree and Kao Relief. Available samples include:
- Unicharm Lifree Adult Incontinence Pad — 1 Piece Trial Sample
- Unicharm Lifree Easy to Walk Slim Adult Pull-Up Pants — 1 Piece Trial Sample
- Unicharm Lifree Stretch Fit Thin Lightweight Tape Nappy — 1 Piece Trial Sample
- Kao Relief 2-in-1 Pull-Up & Tape Adult Pants — 1 Piece Trial Sample
- Kao Relief Adult Pants for Long Hours — 2 Pack Trial Sample
Which situation applies to you?
- Older Australian
- Check CAPS and Support at Home. These are separate programs — you may be eligible for one or both depending on your circumstances.
- Support at Home participant
- Understand the difference between funded personal care services and the cost of continence products. Funded personal care services do not automatically include disposable continence products — check your individual plan and any other funding you may be eligible for, such as CAPS.
- NDIS participant
- Check whether disability-related continence consumables may be funded under your plan and current NDIS rules. Speak with your Support Coordinator or LAC.
- Private buyer
- Choose products based on mobility, style, size and absorbency. Samples are available to try before purchasing a full pack.
Real-life examples
The following examples are illustrative only. They are provided for general understanding and do not determine individual eligibility for any funding program.
Example 1 — Support at Home
An older person receives approved personal care through Support at Home. Assistance with everyday non-clinical continence management may form part of that approved personal care. However, this relates to the personal care service — not the disposable continence products used. Funding for pads, pull-ups or adult nappies should be checked separately, including whether CAPS eligibility may also apply.
Example 2 — CAPS
An eligible CAPS recipient may use their annual CAPS payment towards continence products. The individual chooses products based on their size, mobility and absorbency needs. NappyKing’s range of adult nappies and nappy pants, tape-fastened nappies and pads can be compared and ordered online.
Example 3 — NDIS
A participant with disability-related continence needs may be able to use applicable NDIS funding for eligible continence consumables, subject to their plan, individual circumstances and current NDIS rules. Not all participants will have continence consumables approved — this depends on each person’s plan and assessed needs.
Frequently asked questions
What is CAPS?
CAPS (Continence Aids Payment Scheme) is an Australian Government program that provides a payment to help eligible people with the cost of continence products. It is administered by Services Australia. Eligibility conditions apply.
How much is CAPS in 2026–27?
Eligible people may receive up to A$739.40 for 2026–27. The payment is made directly to the participant. For current amounts and payment details, check Services Australia — CAPS payment information.
Can I receive CAPS and Support at Home at the same time?
Yes — eligible people can receive CAPS while receiving Support at Home. These are separate programs with separate eligibility requirements.
Will Support at Home pay for adult nappies?
Not automatically. Support at Home may fund approved personal care services, which can include non-clinical continence management. This change relates to approved personal care services. It does not automatically mean disposable continence products such as adult nappies or pads are funded. Check your individual arrangements and any other funding you may be eligible for, such as CAPS. You can also contact My Aged Care for guidance specific to your plan.
What does non-clinical continence management mean?
Non-clinical continence management is included within personal care under Support at Home. It relates to everyday personal care associated with managing continence needs, rather than clinical continence treatment. The exact services provided should be based on the person’s approved support plan and current Support at Home service rules.
Can NDIS funding pay for continence products?
Eligible disability-related continence products may be funded as continence consumables under the NDIS, depending on individual needs, the participant’s plan and current NDIS rules. The NDIS does not automatically fund continence products for all participants.
Can I choose my own continence product supplier?
For CAPS, yes. Services Australia states that you can use your CAPS payment to buy continence products from any seller you choose, including buying online or by phone.
For NDIS, supplier choice depends on how your funding is managed. Self-managed and plan-managed participants can generally use registered or unregistered providers, while NDIA-managed funding requires registered providers. Always check your plan and current NDIS rules before purchasing.
Do I need a continence assessment?
It depends on your circumstances and the funding program involved. A health professional can help assess continence needs and recommend suitable products. If you are applying for or using CAPS, Support at Home or NDIS funding, check the current assessment, evidence and eligibility requirements that apply to you.
Can a carer order continence products for someone else?
Yes — carers and family members can browse and purchase continence products on behalf of the person they care for at NappyKing. For funding-related matters (such as CAPS or NDIS), the eligible person or their authorised representative should contact the relevant program directly.
How do I choose the correct size and absorbency?
Use waist and hip measurements where available to select the correct size. For absorbency, consider whether the product is needed for light daytime use, heavy daytime use or overnight use. Individual product pages on NappyKing include size guides and absorbency ratings. Trial samples are also available to help assess fit and suitability before purchasing a full pack.
Official Australian Government information
For accurate and current information about continence funding programs, use the following official government sources:
CAPS — Continence Aids Payment Scheme
- Services Australia — CAPS eligibility and how to apply — covers who can get CAPS, eligibility requirements and how to claim.
- Services Australia — CAPS payment amount — current payment rates for CAPS recipients.
- Services Australia — where to buy continence products using CAPS — explains that CAPS recipients can purchase from any seller of their choice, including online or by phone.
Support at Home
- My Aged Care — Support at Home program information — overview of Support at Home, services and how to access them.
- Department of Health, Disability and Ageing — Support at Home personal care contributions — information on the personal care participant contribution change, including arrangements from 1 October 2026.
NDIS — continence products and providers
- NDIS — continence provider list — the official NDIS list of registered continence providers. This is an NDIS resource; NappyKing is not represented on or endorsed by this list.
- NDIS — how to find and choose a provider — guidance on finding registered and unregistered providers depending on how your NDIS funding is managed.
About NappyKing
NappyKing is an Australian continence product retailer helping individuals, families and carers compare adult nappies, pull-up pants, pads and other everyday continence products by size, absorbency and care needs. Browse the full adult care range at nappyking.com.au.
General information disclaimer: The information on this page is provided for general guidance only and does not constitute financial, medical or legal advice. Funding programs, eligibility criteria and payment amounts may change. NappyKing does not assess eligibility for CAPS, NDIS or Support at Home and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or approved by Services Australia, the NDIS or the Australian Government.
Always check your individual circumstances with the relevant authority:
- CAPS: Services Australia — CAPS
- Support at Home: My Aged Care
- NDIS: NDIS