Other Schemes & Aged Care FAQs
CAPS, Support at Home, DVA, and the state programs - and how they differ from the NDIS.
What if I am over the NDIS age limit?
People who acquire disability later in life are often served by the aged-care system rather than the NDIS, through Support at Home and its assistive technology and home-modifications pathway. The programs are separate, with their own criteria and their own application processes.
What is CAPS?
The Continence Aids Payment Scheme is an Australian Government payment that helps eligible people with permanent, severe incontinence meet the cost of continence products. It pays a set annual amount, either once a year or split across the year, and it runs separately from the NDIS with its own rules.
How much does CAPS pay each year?
The Continence Aids Payment Scheme pays $739.40 per year to eligible people. As of 2026-07-01 · CAPS - Department of Health
The payment can be taken once a year in July or split across two payments, and it is pro-rated from the date Services Australia receives a complete application. Payments are not counted in income tax calculations.
How is aged care equipment funded?
Older Australians can access equipment through the Support at Home program's Assistive Technology and Home Modifications scheme. Assessors approve funding at low, medium, or high tiers as part of an aged care assessment. It sits outside the NDIS and follows aged care rules rather than scheme rules.
Can veterans get equipment through DVA?
Yes. The Rehabilitation Appliances Program supplies aids, equipment, and home or vehicle modifications to eligible veterans with an assessed clinical need who hold a relevant Veteran Card. Access runs through a GP or referred health professional, and buying without prior assessment risks not being reimbursed.
Are there state equipment schemes as well?
Yes. States and territories run their own equipment programs alongside the national schemes, each with its own eligibility and application process. They can matter for people who fall outside the NDIS or aged care, so it is worth checking what your own state or territory offers directly.
Can I use more than one scheme at once?
Each scheme has its own rules about overlap, and they are not designed to double-fund the same item. Which one fits depends on your age, situation, and eligibility for each program. Checking the official pages, and asking each program directly, keeps you clear of a knock-back.
Who decides eligibility for these programs?
Not the NDIS, and not any supplier website. CAPS, Support at Home, DVA programs, and the state schemes each run under their own legislation with their own decision-makers. Eligibility for each program is decided by the program itself. The official program pages have the current criteria and application forms.