What Is an NDIS Continence Assessment? A Guide for Participants

A continence assessment is a clinical evaluation conducted by a registered nurse to understand how your bladder and bowel are functioning, identify any problems, and design a management plan. It takes approximately 60–90 minutes and is done in your home.

During the assessment, the nurse will ask about your toileting patterns, any leakage or urgency, your medications, your mobility and access to the bathroom, your fluid and diet intake, and your current management strategies. They may also review your skin integrity and any existing continence aids you use.

Here is the key point: the NDIA requires clinical evidence before it will fund continence products, pads, catheters, mattress protectors and related items, in an NDIS plan. That evidence needs to come from a qualified health professional such as a registered nurse or continence physiotherapist. A formal continence assessment report is exactly what's needed.

Without this assessment, many participants miss out on continence product funding entirely, not because they don't need it, but because the evidence isn't in the system. With the report, your support coordinator can include a continence product budget in your next plan review.

Participants with urinary or faecal incontinence that affects daily life. Participants who use continence pads, catheters or other aids and want NDIS funding for them. Participants approaching a plan review and wanting stronger clinical evidence in their file. Participants with spinal cord injury, MS, cerebral palsy, stroke, Parkinson's or other conditions affecting bladder and bowel control. Participants whose support workers are assisting with continence management and need a documented clinical plan.

The process is straightforward. Ask your support coordinator to request a continence assessment from a registered NDIS nursing provider like First Priority Care. The assessment is funded under Capacity Building (Improved Daily Living) in your plan.

If you don't have Capacity Building funding in your plan yet, your support coordinator can request it at your next plan review by including a recommendation for a continence assessment and ongoing management plan.

First Priority Care conducts NDIS continence assessments across Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich, Gold Coast and Redlands. Our AHPRA-registered nurses come to your home, complete a thorough assessment and provide a formal written report within 3–5 business days. The report can go directly to your support coordinator for inclusion in your plan review.

Call 1800 402 205 or submit a referral online. We respond within one business day.