Support at Home is the Australian Government program that provides funding for in-home aged care, replacing the older Home Care Packages program. For many recipients, it can fund a continence assessment and ongoing continence management, arranged through your care provider.
This guide explains how to access a continence assessment through Support at Home, what the assessment involves, and how we coordinate with your provider so the documentation supports your plan review.
Every continence assessment through continenceassessment.com.au is completed by a tertiary-qualified continence nurse in partnership with Caremmunity. Your nurse coordinates the documentation your Support at Home provider needs to support your care.
What Support at Home covers for continence care
Support at Home is designed to help older Australians stay in their own home by funding the supports they need for daily living. Continence care sits squarely within that intent.
Depending on your assessed needs and how your plan is structured, Support at Home funding can cover a continence assessment, the associated clinical report, and support for continence management. Because each plan is individual, the first step is confirming your coverage with your care provider or case manager.
Why an assessment is usually the first step
A continence assessment gives your provider the clinical information needed to support funding for products and ongoing care. A clean, structured report makes a plan review straightforward and helps ensure you get the supports that match your needs, rather than a generic solution.
First, confirm your funding pathway
Before you book, it helps to confirm how your Support at Home funding applies. You do not need to have every answer ready, but knowing your plan and provider makes the process smoother.
- Check whether you have an active Support at Home plan or a transitional Home Care Package.
- Know who your provider or case manager is, if you have one.
- Be ready to share your contact details and how you prefer to be assessed, in-home or via telehealth.
How accessing your continence assessment works
- 1Speak with your care provider or case manager to confirm whether you have Support at Home funding that covers continence care.
- 2Book your continence assessment online, or call 1300 182 273 and our team will help arrange it.
- 3Meet your qualified continence nurse in your home, or via telehealth if that suits better.
- 4Receive a written continence management plan and, where agreed, a report prepared for your plan review.
We are used to working alongside aged care providers and case managers. If the funding for your assessment needs to be coordinated with your plan, our team handles that alongside your provider so the process stays simple for you.
What to expect from a qualified continence nurse
Your continence assessment is conducted by an AHPRA-registered Registered Nurse with advanced training in bladder and bowel care. The appointment usually takes 60 to 90 minutes, whether in your home or via telehealth.
During your assessment
- A full discussion of your bladder and bowel health, symptoms and daily routines.
- A review of your mobility and how you reach and use the toilet safely.
- A look at the products or equipment you currently use, and what may work better.
- Recommendations tailored to your needs, goals and support at home.
- A written plan you can share with your care provider and keep for your own records.
The in-home option has a practical advantage. Your nurse can see your bathroom and toilet setup, your mobility in the spaces you actually use, and how products fit with your daily routines. That context leads to recommendations that genuinely work at home.
The documentation your provider needs
After your assessment, your nurse prepares a written continence management plan and, where agreed, a report for your plan review. The report is written clearly and structured so it directly supports your Support at Home provider and any funding decision.
With your consent, copies can also be sent securely to your care provider, GP or case manager. This keeps everyone involved in your care on the same page.
Beyond aged care, the same service applies
The same qualified continence nurses deliver assessments across every capital city and by telehealth Australia-wide. Alongside aged care, our nurse-led continence assessments support NDIS participants, Home Care Package recipients and private-pay clients.
Read more about Home Care Package funding or the continence assessments we provide.
Common questions about Support at Home and continence assessments
What is the Support at Home program?
The Support at Home program is the Australian Government program that replaced Home Care Packages for in-home aged care. It helps older Australians stay in their own home by funding supports such as personal care, and in many cases continence assessment and continence care. Your care provider will confirm what your plan covers.
Is a continence assessment covered through Support at Home?
For many recipients, yes. A continence assessment and ongoing continence management can be funded through your Support at Home plan when they support your assessed care needs. At booking we confirm your funding pathway, and we coordinate the documentation your provider needs to support it.
How is the assessment funded through Support at Home?
Funding is arranged through your care provider and your Support at Home plan. We work with your provider so the continence assessment and any product recommendations are documented in a way that supports plan review and approval.
I have a Home Care Package, not Support at Home. What should I do?
The two programs are being transitioned, with new Support at Home plans replacing Home Care Packages. If you are currently on a Home Care Package, we can still arrange your continence assessment. Contact us on 1300 182 273 and we will confirm the funding pathway that applies to you.
Can the continence assessment happen in my home?
Yes. A practical strength of an in-home continence assessment is that your nurse can see your home environment, including your bathroom and toilet setup, which helps recommendations fit the way you actually live. Telehealth is also available if you prefer it.
How soon can I book a continence assessment?
In most capital cities, in-home continence assessments can be booked within 5 to 10 business days. Telehealth continence assessments are usually available sooner. Book online through our referral form, or call 1300 182 273 to check current availability.
See all 46 questions and answers on our continence assessment FAQs page.
Ready to book your continence assessment
If you are a Support at Home recipient, a family member arranging care for a parent, or a provider coordinating care for a client, we can help make the process straightforward from booking to report.
Book online through our referral form or call 1300 182 273. Our team will confirm the funding pathway that applies to your situation and coordinate with your provider where needed.