Person-centred
Hear the participant, understand their circumstances and consider what daily life actually requires.
Continence Funding and Advocacy Network
Fair continence support.
Decisions made with people, not around them.
We’re campaigning for fairer, more effective continence support in Australia — guided by lived experience and clinical expertise.
A growing call for change
More than 1,000 signatures — and growing
For people who rely on continence supports, the consequences of a poor funding decision are immediate and deeply personal. Inadequate or unsuitable products can affect health, dignity, independence and the ability to take part in everyday life.
More than 1,000 signatures shows the depth of concern about the current process and the strength of support for a better one.
Why this matters
Good continence support decisions protect health, dignity and everyday life
Decisions about continence supports should not be made at a distance from the person receiving care, or without proper regard for the clinicians who have assessed their needs.
Clinically informed
Give proper weight to recommendations made by qualified clinicians who understand continence care.
Fair and transparent
Explain decisions clearly and provide an accessible path to review reductions or rejections.
Built for participation
Support health, confidence, independence and the ability to take part in everyday life.
In the news
Ellie Rowlands’ NDIS fight reaches Parliament House
Ellie travelled to Canberra to speak about how changes to her NDIS funding affected her life and health, and to push for a fairer process.
Read Ellie’s story in the Mudgee Guardian.
Read the Mudgee Guardian articleVoices in Parliament House
Taking lived experience and clinical expertise to Canberra
CFAN participants and supporters met with Senator Jordan Steele-John and other parliamentarians and policy leaders to discuss fairer NDIS continence assessment processes.
Select any photo to view it larger.
What CFAN is asking for
An NDIS assessment process that respects clinical expertise and explains its decisions
This is not a request for clinical recommendations to go unquestioned. It is a call for them to be considered by people with the qualifications to understand them — and for decisions affecting a participant’s health to be supported by appropriate clinical evidence.
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01
Respect clinical expertise
Ensure recommendations are considered by people qualified to understand continence care and its real-life consequences.
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02
Justify reductions and rejections
Require sound, transparent reasons when prescribed supports are reduced or refused.
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03
Provide a fair path to review
Give participants a clear, accessible way to challenge a decision and have the evidence properly reconsidered.
The wider funding challenge
Continence support has not kept pace with real-world need
CFAN also advocates for a modern, inclusive Continence Aids Payment Scheme (CAPS) that reflects the cost and practical realities of continence care.
7.2mAustralians living with incontinence
1 in 3People over 15 experience incontinence
71%of affected people are under 65
$100.4bestimated economic cost
Source: Economic Cost of Incontinence in Australia, Continence Health Australia and Deloitte Access Economics, 2024.
Understanding continence
What is incontinence?
Incontinence is the accidental or involuntary loss of bladder control, bowel control or both. It can range from small leaks during everyday activities to a complete loss of control.
It can affect people of all ages and backgrounds. With the right support, people can manage leaks and continue everyday activities with confidence and dignity.
Learn more from Continence Health AustraliaEvidence and practical support
Reports and resources
Read the evidence behind the case for reform, or find out what financial assistance may be available.
Practical support
Need help now?
The National Continence Helpline is staffed by nurse continence specialists who provide free, confidential information, advice and support.