Govt performs another reform backflip on Support at Home
- CAPS restored: Support at Home participants regain annual payment
- Policy reversed: Government backflips after sector advocacy campaign
- Payment available: Annual CAPS rises to $739.40 from July
- Second backflip: Continence care policy revised again this year
The Federal Government has reversed a decision banning participants in Support at Home from accessing the Continence Aids Payment Scheme (CAPS).
When the new Aged Care Act took effect on 1 November last year, the Government stopped approving the CAPS for people receiving Support at Home and the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP).
From February 2026, all Support at Home participants formerly receiving CAPS were no longer able to continue accessing the valuable continence support payments.
However, following intense pressure from the sector including advocacy from Continence Health Australia, the Government has reversed the decision. From 1 July older Australians accessing Support at Home and the CHSP will also be able to continue accessing the CAPS.
It’s the Government’s second backflip on policies on continence care for older people. The April 2026 decision to remove co-contributions for essential personal care includes continence support. That change will take effect from 1 October 2026.
From 1 July 2026, the CAPS payment rate is $739.40 per year – a significant contribution to household budgets and to recipients' quality of life.
Continence Health Australia said feedback from consumers, carers, and health professionals, and calls to the National Continence Helpline, had informed their advocacy.
The peak body had heard the original policy was causing confusion, administrative burden, out-of-pocket costs, and gaps in essential continence care.
The CAPS reversal is a “positive and practical policy change” , the organisation said in a statement.
“This decision recognises continence care is fundamental to dignity, safety and quality of life,” said Jim Cooper, CEO of Continence Health Australia.
“This change will help ensure older people are not left navigating disconnected systems when they are simply trying to manage an essential health need,” he said.
Continence care is a essential component of aged care. The fact the Government has now had to walk back on two policies in this area raises questions about the schemes’ initial designs in the first place.
