Continence Foundation of Australia

What Continence Foundation of Australia does

Continence Health Australia (formerly Continence Foundation of Australia) is an Australian not-for-profit peak body, founded in 1989 and headquartered in Surrey Hills, Victoria, that promotes bladder and bowel control health. It serves individuals affected by incontinence (estimated at 7.2 million Australians, or 1 in 3 adults over 15), unpaid carers (3 million+ nationally), health professionals, and aged care providers. Core services include the National Continence Helpline (1800 33 00 66, staffed by nurse continence specialists and operating 19+ years), the My Continence Care Residential eLearning program for aged care staff, the Bridge quarterly magazine, the Australian and New Zealand Continence Journal, state-based Professional Development Days, the annual National Continence Health Conference, the National Public Toilet Map (25,000+ facilities), and multilingual resources in nearly 30 languages.

The organisation's technology stack centres on a WCAG 2.0 Level AA-accessible web platform, an eLearning learning management system at continencelearning.com, and a clinical content management infrastructure supporting 30+ languages. Operational reach is enabled by the National Continence Helpline call infrastructure (with Telephone Interpreter Service and National Relay Service integration), state offices (Newington, NSW co-located with BrightSky Australia and partnered with NSW Health), and referral pathways through NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, and OPAN.

The revenue model is a hybrid of Australian Government funding (via the National Continence Program and NDIS/CHSP service delivery), membership subscriptions ($360–$499/yr inclusive of GST for organisation members), donations, paid eLearning and professional development, and conference/event revenue. Pricing is not publicly disclosed for professional development courses; members receive discounted access. The organisation is accredited by the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC), with no parent company, no subsidiaries, and no disclosed equity funding.

Name

Continence Foundation of Australia

Legal name

Continence Health Australia Limited

Website

https://continence.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Continence Health Services

NAICS

Health Care and Social Assistance (62), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Social Assistance (624)

SIC

Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Toileting & Incontinence Care (HSABABAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Wound, Ostomy & Continence Care (WOC) at Home (HSABACAE)

Keywords

• Continence health services
• Bladder and bowel care
• Pelvic floor health
• Aged care education programs
• Continence professional development

Headquarters

HQ city

Surrey Hills

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: The National Continence Program is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. Funding supports the National Continence Helpline, clinical education programs, and national initiatives including World Continence Week. The organisation also receives government funding for NDIS and aged care (CHSP) service delivery.
2. Membership Fees: Annual membership programs for professionals and organisations. Organisation membership: $360/year for organisations under 10 staff, $499/year for organisations with 10+ staff. Professional membership also available. Benefits include discounted event registration, Bridge magazine subscription, and access to the Australian and New Zealand Continence Journal.
3. Donations: The organisation accepts donations from the public. A Donate button is prominently featured on the website. Donors are tracked as a category of individuals whose information is held by the organisation.
4. Professional Development & eLearning: Paid professional development courses and eLearning programs for health professionals, including the My Continence Care Residential program accessed via continencelearning.com. Organisation members receive discounted educational access.
5. Conference & Event Revenue: Revenue from the annual National Continence Health Conference and State Professional Development Days. Members receive Early Bird discounted rates. The 34th National Continence Health Conference (NCHC 2026) was held in Melbourne.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Continence Health Australia operates a free, confidential National Continence Helpline (1800 33 00 66) staffed by nurse continence specialists, providing information, advice, and referrals to individuals experiencing incontinence and their carers. The organisation delivers professional education through the My Continence Care Residential eLearning program, state-based Professional Development Days, and the annual National Continence Health Conference, alongside consumer resources including Bridge Magazine, multilingual factsheets, and the National Public Toilet Map of 25,000+ facilities.

Product overview

Continence Health Australia (formerly Continence Foundation of Australia) operates as a not-for-profit peak body offering a portfolio of health information services, professional education programs, and advocacy initiatives focused on bladder and bowel control health. The core service is the National Continence Helpline (1800 33 00 66), a free, confidential service staffed by nurse continence specialists. The organization delivers professional development through My Continence Care – Residential eLearning program and annual State Professional Development Days, alongside the National Continence Health Conference. Key consumer resources include Bridge Magazine (quarterly print/digital publication), the National Public Toilet Map (25,000+ facilities), and factsheets/booklets available in almost 30 languages. The organization also runs World Continence Week awareness campaigns and the Carer of the Year award program. Multiple sub-brands operate under the umbrella: Continence Support Now, Pelvic Floor First, Continencelearning.com, Australian Continence Exchange, InConfidence.org.au, ncoi.org.au, and laughwithoutleaking.com.au. Financial support guidance is provided for government schemes including CAPS, NDIS, and DVA RAP.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• National Continence Helpline Free, confidential telephone service staffed by nurse continence specialists providing information, advice, and support for people living with incontinence, carers, and health professionals.
• My Continence Care - Residential eLearning Program eLearning education program for residential aged care staff that builds capabilities in delivering dignified, person-centred continence care through scenario-based learning and team-based reflection activities.
• National Continence Health Conference (NCHC) Annual national conference for health professionals, consumers, and sector experts featuring expert speakers, professional development, networking, and the Carer of the Year award presentation.
• State Professional Development Days State-based professional development events for health professionals focusing on bladder health across ages and comorbidities in ageing populations, with discounted registration for members.
• Bridge Magazine Free quarterly magazine for people living with incontinence and their family, friends, and carers, covering health topics, personal stories, and practical advice in print or digital format.
• National Public Toilet Map Online searchable directory of more than 25,000 public toilet facilities across Australia, supporting people managing continence issues and families with young children.
• Organisation Membership Annual organisational membership at $360 (under 10 staff) or $499 (10+ staff) providing Early Bird conference rates, discounted PD Day registration, Bridge magazine subscription, ANZCJ access, and resources for continence care delivery.
• Continence Aids Payment Scheme (CAPS) Information Service Information and guidance service on the Australian Government CAPS scheme providing annual payments ($739.40 per year from July 2026) to assist eligible people with permanent and severe incontinence to cover continence product costs.
• Continencelearning.com eLearning Portal Online learning portal providing professional development courses in continence care for health professionals, including the My Continence Care Residential program, with discounted access for members.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1 in 4 Australian adults (7.2 million people) affected by incontinence; 7.2M rising to 8.6M by 2032
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• NightnDay GroupminorOthersSponsorship partner for the Carer of the Year 2026 award program. NightnDay Group is a continence product provider providing financial support for the annual recognition of unpaid carers in Australia.
• incontinenceproducts.com.auminorOthersSponsorship partner for the Carer of the Year 2026 award program. incontinenceproducts.com.au is an online retailer of continence products providing financial support for the annual recognition of unpaid carers.
• NSW HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerContinence Health Australia's NSW office works in partnership with NSW Health to provide health promotion for community groups (including online and some face-to-face presentations), multicultural and indigenous resources and supports, and telephone and email assistance across New South Wales.
• NDIS Quality and Safeguards CommissioncoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerIndependent sector body to which complaints about NDIS support quality and safety can be directed. Listed as an independent organisation consumers can approach if not satisfied with Continence Health Australia's handling of a complaint.
• Aged Care Quality and Safety CommissioncoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerIndependent sector body for concerns about quality of care or services subsidised by the Australian Government in aged care. Listed as an escalation pathway for consumers not satisfied with internal complaint handling.
• Older Person's Advocacy Network (OPAN)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvides free, confidential and independent support to older people seeking or receiving government-funded aged care services, their families and representatives. Listed as an independent advocacy resource for consumers.
• Australian Guardianship and Administration CouncilminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerContact details for public advocates in each state and territory that promote the rights, interests and dignity of people with disability. Listed as an escalation pathway for complaints.
• Enable NSWcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNSW state government equipment program providing funding for continence products and equipment to people living in the community with permanent or long-term disability. Referenced as a key state-level funding pathway alongside CAPS and NDIS.
• ACT Equipment Scheme (ACTES)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorACT Government equipment scheme providing funding for continence products and equipment for people with permanent or long-term disability living in the ACT.
• Territory Equipment Program (TEP) and Seating Equipment and Technical Service (SEAT)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNorthern Territory Government programs providing equipment and seating services for people with disability in the NT.
• Medical Aids Subsidy Scheme (MASS)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorQueensland Government scheme providing subsidies for a range of continence products and equipment to people living in the community with permanent or long-term disability.
• State-wide Equipment Program (SWEP)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVictoria's state-wide equipment program providing funding for continence products and equipment to people with permanent or long-term disability.
• Department of Communities (WA)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWestern Australian Government department administering concessions including equipment funding for people with disability in WA.
• BrightSky AustraliaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution point for Continence Health Australia's NSW office, located at 6 Holker Street, Newington, NSW 2127. Provides physical access point for NSW services and resources.
• Health TranslationsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVictorian Government-funded resource directory providing links to free translated health information in multiple languages. Referenced as a resource for multilingual continence health information.
• Telephone Interpreter Service (TIS)coreTechnology or IntegrationNational service supporting callers to the National Continence Helpline who require interpreter assistance, enabling access for non-English speaking callers.
• National Relay ServicecoreTechnology or IntegrationNational service supporting callers to the National Continence Helpline who are deaf or hearing-impaired, enabling access for callers with disability.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Simon Foundation for Continence: US-based non-profit founded in 1982 focused on continence education, research support, and destigmatisation. Highly comparable mission to Continence Health Australia including awareness campaigns, professional education, and consumer advocacy. One of the longest-running continence-focused charities globally.
• National Association for Continence (NAFC): NAFC is a US-based non-profit dedicated to supporting individuals with incontinence through education, advocacy, and community resources. Closest international direct peer given shared mission around bladder and bowel health, consumer helpline-style services, and educational content model.
• Bladder & Bowel UK: UK-based charity providing information, support, and training on bladder and bowel conditions. Directly comparable to Continence Health Australia's helpline, education, and resources model within the UK public health context.
• Continence Foundation of New Zealand: Continence NZ is the national non-profit peak body for continence health in New Zealand, providing helpline, education, and advocacy services. Directly comparable mission and operating model to Continence Health Australia, with similar product portfolio including helpline, professional development, and consumer resources.

Broad incumbents

• Carers Australia: National peak body representing unpaid carers in Australia, providing advocacy, policy advice, and support services. Highly comparable operating model as a federally funded Australian peak body; Continence Health Australia's Carer of the Year award program connects it directly to the carer community.
• Cancer Council Australia: Australia's leading national cancer control charity, providing research funding, advocacy, information, and support. Comparable as a federally supported national health peak body with diversified revenue (donations, events, government grants), professional education, and policy advocacy.
• International Continence Society (ICS): ICS is a global medical society for continence research and clinical practice, hosting the annual ICS meeting and publishing continence research. Comparable as the international scientific authority for continence health, with overlap in professional education and scientific committee representation.

Emerging players

• Pelvic Floor Disorders Network (Australia): Sub-brand ecosystem of Continence Health Australia focused on pelvic floor health education. Adjacent focus on pelvic floor disorders and prevention, with comparative clinical education content aimed at consumers and health professionals.
• Australian Physiotherapy Association: National professional body for physiotherapists including pelvic health physiotherapists — a key referral channel for Continence Health Australia. Partial overlap via pelvic floor education and CPD programs, including the Pelvic Floor First sub-brand ecosystem.

Regional players

• Continence Aids Payment Scheme (CAPS) Information Service (Services Australia): Government-administered funding scheme that Continence Health Australia advises on. Not a direct peer but represents the public funding alternative; illustrates the regulatory ecosystem the organisation operates within and provides benchmarks for service delivery.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/AusContinence
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/ContinenceFoundation
• Facebookfacebook.com/continenceaus
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/continence-foundation-of-australia
• Instagraminstagram.com/continenceaus

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Continence Foundation of Australia