Continence Aids and Support at Home: What Changed in October 2026

What changed on 1 October 2026.

The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing moved all personal care services on the Support at Home service list from the Independence contribution category to the Clinical Supports category.

In practice, participants approved for personal care in their support plan, and with available Support at Home funds, no longer pay a participant contribution for personal care services delivered from 1 October 2026. Services delivered before that date still attract the previous contribution, even if claimed later.

Personal care continues to be funded from the participant’s available Support at Home budget. The definition of personal care has not changed and still includes non-clinical continence management.

Personal care is a service, not a product.

The October change applies to personal care services — for example, help with showering, dressing and non-clinical continence management. It does not, on its own, mean continence products are automatically funded.

Where continence products fit in Support at Home.

Under the Support at Home service list, continence consumables such as pads are described within the ‘nursing care consumables’ service in the Clinical Supports category.

Whether a participant can use Support at Home funds for continence products depends on whether that service is approved in their support plan, whether funds are available, and on provider confirmation.

Other continence schemes come first where they meet the need.

Government guidance indicates that if a participant is eligible for a continence products scheme that can meet their needs, that scheme should be used before Support at Home funds.

• • The Continence Aids Payment Scheme (CAPS) is an Australian Government payment that helps eligible people with some of the cost of continence products from a supplier of their choice.
• • State and territory continence-aid schemes may also apply, depending on where the person lives and their eligibility.
• • Where another scheme cannot meet the person’s needs, Support at Home funding may be considered if the relevant service is approved.

What to check before organising a supply.

A short checklist for participants, families and providers:

• • Is the relevant service type approved in the person’s support plan?
• • Are Support at Home funds available for the period?
• • Is the person eligible for CAPS or a state or territory scheme that already meets their needs?
• • Has the Support at Home provider confirmed the purchasing arrangement?

Where Sanivy fits.

Sanivy does not determine or guarantee Support at Home eligibility. Sanivy organises a clear, recurring 28-day continence supply — with exact product quantities, sizes and price — so the person, their family and their provider can see what is needed before anything is confirmed.

Once the provider confirms the arrangement, Sanivy reviews the request and organises fulfilment.

Sources.

Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing — Personal care contribution change (health.gov.au/support-at-home/personal-care-contributions); My Aged Care — Personal care to be fully funded under Support at Home from October (published 22 April 2026); Support at Home service list FAQs (October 2025); Continence Aids Payment Scheme (health.gov.au).