Posted by The Caringly Clinical Team
on August 11, 2026
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or clinical advice. Caringly supplies continence products and is a Registered NDIS Provider — we do not perform continence assessments ourselves. Please consult your GP, continence nurse, or occupational therapist for a personalised assessment.
Written and reviewed by the Caringly Clinical Team. Last updated: 11 August 2026.
What Is an NDIS Continence Assessment?
If you're an NDIS participant wanting funding for continence products such as pads, pull-ons, slips or wipes, you'll usually need a continence assessment first. This article explains what that involves, who carries it out, and how it connects to ordering products through Caringly once your plan includes continence supports.
A continence assessment is a clinical review carried out by a qualified professional — typically a continence nurse advisor, occupational therapist, physiotherapist, or your GP. It is not something Caringly, or any product supplier, is qualified or authorised to carry out. Our role starts after your plan includes continence supports: we supply the products your assessment recommends.
Why the NDIS Requires an Assessment
Incontinence products funded through the NDIS generally sit under the Core Supports – Consumables category of a participant's plan. For any support to be funded, the NDIA needs to be satisfied it is ‘reasonable and necessary’ and directly related to the participant's disability. A clinical assessment is the evidence the NDIA relies on to make that determination — it documents your needs, links them to your disability, and recommends the type and quantity of products required.
What Happens During the Assessment
While the exact process varies by assessor, a continence assessment typically covers:
Medical and disability history — how your condition affects bladder or bowel control.
Daily routine review — your current management approach, mobility, and level of independence.
Product trial and recommendation — which product types (pads, pull-ons, slips) and absorbency levels suit your needs.
Quantity calculation — how many products you're likely to need per day/week, which informs your funded budget.
The assessor then prepares documentation for your NDIS plan review or plan manager, recommending the supports to be included.
Who Can Carry Out the Assessment
Continence Nurse Advisors — registered nurses with specialist continence training.
Occupational Therapists — commonly involved where continence needs relate to broader functional or mobility support.
Physiotherapists — particularly where pelvic floor rehabilitation is also relevant.
Your GP — can conduct an initial review and refer you to the right specialist.
If you don't already have an assessor, the National Continence Helpline (1800 33 00 66, free call) can point you toward a continence nurse advisor in your area, and your Support Coordinator (if you have one) can help arrange occupational therapy assessments.
Once Your Plan Includes Continence Supports
After your assessment is complete and your NDIS plan (or plan review) includes funding for continence consumables, ordering through Caringly is straightforward and stays entirely on our site:
Self-managed participants check out normally like any other customer.
Plan-managed and NDIA-managed participants use the ‘NDIS Orders’ button next to Add to Cart on any product page — no online payment required, we invoice your Plan Manager or the NDIA directly.
See our NDIS Orders page for the full walkthrough of self-managed, plan-managed and NDIA-managed ordering.
Browse our range: Supreme Pull-Ons, Supreme Slips, and Adult Incontinence Wipes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Caringly perform continence assessments?
No. We are a Registered NDIS Provider for continence products, not a clinical assessment service. Assessments are carried out by continence nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists or your GP.
Do I need a new assessment every year?
NDIS plans are reviewed periodically, and your continence needs may be reassessed at that time, particularly if your circumstances change. Your Support Coordinator or plan manager can advise on your specific plan's review schedule.
What if I don't have a Support Coordinator?
You can still arrange an assessment directly — start with your GP or call the National Continence Helpline on 1800 33 00 66 for a referral.
Can I choose which products I use, or does the assessor decide?
The assessor recommends product types and absorbency levels based on your needs, but you generally retain choice of supplier and specific product within that recommendation — which is why Caringly's on-site NDIS ordering exists, so you can use your funding with the provider you prefer.
Resources and Support in Australia
National Continence Helpline
Phone: 1800 33 00 66 (free call)
Website: continence.org.au
NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme)
Website: ndis.gov.au
This article has been written and reviewed by the Caringly Clinical Team, healthcare professionals experienced in NDIS and community continence care in Australia. It does not constitute medical or clinical advice. Caringly supplies continence products as a Registered NDIS Provider and does not perform continence assessments. Always consult a qualified continence nurse, occupational therapist, physiotherapist or your GP for an assessment tailored to your individual circumstances.
