If you or someone you care for is managing incontinence, bedwetting, or a bladder condition linked to a disability, there's a good chance you're entitled to government funding for protective bedding. Here's exactly what's available, who qualifies, and how to make sure you don't miss out.
In This Article
- Who This Is For
- What the NDIS Actually Funds for Continence
- How to Get Bedding Protection Into Your NDIS Plan
- Not on the NDIS? The CAPS Payment Might Cover You
- State and Territory Schemes
- What to Look for in Funded Bedding Protection
- How Milk&Bed Works With NDIS
Who This Is For
This post is for NDIS participants, their families, carers, and support coordinators managing bladder or bowel continence as part of a disability. It's also for anyone who hasn't yet been assessed for the NDIS but is living with permanent incontinence and spending real money every week on pads, protective bedding, and washing.
Continence support is one of the most underclaimed categories in the NDIS. Many participants either don't know bedding protection is fundable, didn't mention it at their planning meeting, or assumed it wouldn't be covered. This post exists to fix that.
Over 4.8 million Australians live with a bladder or bowel condition. A significant proportion of those are NDIS participants or CAPS-eligible and a large number are not accessing the funding they're entitled to.
What the NDIS Actually Funds for Continence
The NDIS classifies continence support as a disability-related health support. This means the NDIS can fund it, but only if the need directly relates to your disability.
According to the NDIS guidelines, fundable continence supports include:
- Pads, nappies, and disposable continence products
- Bedding and chair protection - including waterproof fitted sheets and mattress protectors
- Catheters, bags, bottles, straps, and tape
- A continence assessment by a qualified continence nurse or health professional
- Reviews of your continence management plan
- Training for support workers, family members, and carers
Bedding protection sits under CORE SUPPORTS: Consumables in your NDIS plan. It's funded on an ongoing basis, not as a one-off because it's a product you use and replace regularly as part of managing your disability.
Official NDIS continence supports guidance (updated April 2025): The NDIS confirms it can fund continence products including pads, nappies, and bed protection where the support relates directly to the participant's disability and helps them participate in daily activities. Read the NDIS continence guidelines →
Continence Health Australia on NDIS eligibility: The Continence Foundation of Australia confirms that if you are eligible for the NDIS and require continence products in relation to a permanent impairment, these products will be considered in your planning discussion. The National Continence Helpline (1800 330 066) can help you understand your entitlements before your planning meeting. View Continence Health Australia's NDIS guidance →
How to Get Bedding Protection Into Your NDIS Plan
This is where most people fall through the cracks. Continence supports are not automatically included in an NDIS plan, you have to specifically raise them. If you don't mention it, it will almost certainly be missed.
Here's the process, step by step:
Step 1: Talk to your GP or specialist first
Before your planning meeting, speak to your doctor and flag that continence is part of your disability-related needs. Ask for a referral to a continence nurse specialist if you haven't had an assessment in the last two years. This documentation is what the NDIS uses to determine what products and supports are reasonable and necessary for you.
Step 2: Request a continence assessment
A continence assessment by a qualified Continence Nurse Specialist is itself fundable through the NDIS under Capacity Building: Improved Daily Living. The assessment covers your medical history, bladder and bowel habits, mobility, current products, and daily routines. The resulting report becomes the clinical evidence your planner uses to approve funding for ongoing continence products including bedding protection.
MyCareSpace on NDIS planning for continence: The recommendation is to go into your planning meeting with specific details of the products you currently use. Ask your planner to allow for a continence assessment and follow-up review (approximately five to seven hours of therapy per year) under the category of individual assessment and therapy. Without specifically raising continence at your meeting, it will be missed. Read MyCareSpace's full NDIS continence guide →
Step 3: Raise bedding protection specifically at your planning meeting
Don't assume your planner will infer it. Say the words: "I need waterproof bedding protection as part of managing my continence." Bring your continence assessment report if you have one. If you're already using products, bring that list with you costs, quantities, and how often you replace them.
Step 4: Use your Core Supports: Consumables budget
Once approved, you can purchase waterproof bedding protection using your consumables budget. You are not locked into a specific supplier you have choice and control over which products you buy, as long as they relate to your approved continence needs.
If your existing NDIS plan doesn't include continence supports but you believe it should, you can request a plan review. New evidence from a continence nurse can support the case for a plan amendment.
Not on the NDIS? The CAPS Payment Might Cover You
If you're not an NDIS participant or if your NDIS plan doesn't include continence products you may be eligible for a separate Australian Government program called the Continence Aids Payment Scheme (CAPS).
CAPS provides an annual, tax-free payment to eligible Australians with permanent and severe incontinence. The 2025 to 2026 CAPS payment rate is $717.10 per person, paid into your nominated bank account either annually in July or in two payments in July and January.
You can spend your CAPS payment on any continence products you choose including waterproof bedding protection from any supplier.
CAPS eligibility requirements (Australian Government, 2025): To be eligible you must be five years of age or older, an Australian citizen or permanent resident, and have permanent and severe bladder or bowel incontinence caused by an eligible neurological condition or an eligible other condition (with a Pensioner Concession Card for non-neurological conditions). Importantly, nighttime bed wetting (enuresis) alone does not qualify the incontinence must be caused by an eligible condition. View the official CAPS guidelines →
How to apply for CAPS: Applications are made through Services Australia. You can apply online through your Medicare account on myGov, or complete a paper form and have your registered health professional complete the health report section. Call the CAPS team on 1800 239 309 Monday to Friday. Apply via Services Australia →
Note: if you are already receiving continence funding through the NDIS, you are generally not also eligible for CAPS. The two schemes don't stack.
State and Territory Schemes
Several states run their own continence product funding programs alongside CAPS and the NDIS. These are worth knowing about if you don't qualify for either national scheme, or if you need supplementary support.
- Victoria: State-Wide Equipment Program (SWEP) provides subsidised continence aids for Victorians with permanent or long-term disability. Annual assessment required.
- New South Wales: EnableNSW provides continence products for people with specific ongoing health needs.
- Queensland: The Medical Aids Subsidy Scheme (MASS) funds continence aids for eligible Queenslanders.
- Western Australia, SA, TAS, NT, ACT: State-based programs exist contact the National Continence Helpline (1800 330 066) for guidance specific to your state.
Coloplast Australia's state-by-state funding guide: A comprehensive overview of Australian, state, and territory continence funding schemes is available for anyone navigating which program applies to their situation. View state-by-state guide →
What to Look for in Funded Bedding Protection
Not all waterproof bedding is equal and when you're using it night after night, the quality of the product matters as much as the funding behind it.
Whether you're purchasing with NDIS consumables funding, a CAPS payment, or out of pocket, here's what to look for:
- Waterproof layer built into the fabric - not a crinkly plastic-backed layer that overheats. Look for a TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) barrier bonded into the sheet construction, not a separate underlay.
- Absorbent core - a bamboo or cotton core layer between the sleep surface and the waterproof barrier absorbs liquid rather than letting it pool, reducing skin contact with moisture.
- Natural surface fabric - organic cotton or similar breathable natural fibre against the skin reduces irritation, especially for people who are prone to skin sensitivity or spend significant time in bed.
- Machine and dryer safe - for continence management, a sheet that can't be tumble dried or needs delicate washing is impractical. Confirm care instructions before purchasing.
- Deep fitted sides - shallow-sided fitted sheets pull off during the night and fail entirely as protection. Look for 40 to 50cm sides with reinforced elastic.
- Correct sizing for Australian mattresses - Australian mattress dimensions differ from US and UK sizing. Make sure the sheet is sized correctly or it won't fit properly.
The stacking approach: Many carers and support workers use a layering method placing two or three waterproof fitted sheets on the bed at the same time. When an episode occurs overnight, the top sheet is removed and a fresh protected bed is immediately ready underneath. This means one less load of washing at 2am and a much faster bed change for the person being supported. All Milk&Bed sheets are machine and dryer safe, and are designed to stack and layer.
How Milk&Bed Works With NDIS
Milk&Bed waterproof fitted sheets are available to NDIS participants. Our sheets are made from 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton on the sleep surface, with a bamboo absorbent core and TPU waterproof barrier - no polyester, no PVC, no PFAS. They're designed specifically for Australian mattress sizing, from bassinet through to super king.
If you're using your NDIS Consumables budget or a CAPS payment to purchase protective bedding, contact us at hello@milkandbed.com.au and we'll help make the process straightforward. View our waterproof fitted sheet range →
The Bottom Line
If you're managing continence as part of a disability or caring for someone who is bedding protection is very likely fundable. Through the NDIS under Core Supports: Consumables, through the CAPS annual payment, or through your state scheme, there are real pathways to offset the cost.
The catch is that none of these are automatic. You need to raise continence specifically at your NDIS planning meeting, get the right clinical documentation, and ask the right questions. The National Continence Helpline (1800 330 066) is a free, expert resource staffed by continence nurse advisers who can help you navigate exactly this.
You're entitled to this support. Don't leave it on the table.
References and Resources
- NDIS Continence Supports Guidelines (April 2025): ourguidelines.ndis.gov.au
- Continence Health Australia - NDIS and Incontinence: continence.org.au
- CAPS - Australian Government Department of Health: health.gov.au
- Services Australia - Apply for CAPS: servicesaustralia.gov.au
- MyCareSpace - How to include continence supports in your NDIS plan: mycarespace.com.au
- Coloplast Australia - State and territory funding schemes: coloplast.com.au
- National Continence Helpline: 1800 330 066 (Mon to Fri, 8am to 8pm AEST)
This article is intended for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or medical advice. NDIS funding decisions are made on an individual basis. Always verify current guidelines at ndis.gov.au and consult your support coordinator or planner for advice specific to your plan.