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2025 Continence Health Australia National Survey

The total economic cost of incontinence in Australia is estimated to be $100.4 billion per year.1

7.2 million people living in Australia aged 15 and over are living with bladder or bowel incontinence.1 Females are twice more likely to experience incontinence than males (4.8 million compared to 2.4 million respectively).1

A release of the 2025 Continence Health Australia National Survey2 on the health and social impact of incontinence reveals the following findings:

  • Even though one in four people are affected by incontinence, 70% of people in the community lack awareness about incontinence. 
  • Age continues to be a significant factor, with 39% of those currently experiencing incontinence aged 60 or older.
  • One in three people experiencing incontinence have lived with it for over five years.
  • 12% of people reporting incontinence live with a medical condition.
  • 77% of incontinence is bladder leakage, 11% is faecal incontinence and 11% of people with incontinence have both bladder and bowel symptoms.
  • Most individuals experiencing incontinence report sudden, strong urges (64%) and frequent toileting needs during the day and night.
  • Only 12% of those affected by incontinence receive care. 
  • Support from the government is accessed via assistance programs such as National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) (29%), Rehabilitation Appliances Program (RAP) (24%) and Continence Aids Payment Scheme (CAPS).

Impact 

  • 57% of people living with incontinence are reluctant to leave the house.
  • Isolation, low confidence and adverse mental health impact is common.
  • People living with incontinence report feeling a lack of support from the broader community.
  • 27% of employed individuals admitted their incontinence created workplace difficulties, specifically poor toilet facilities and colleague support.
  • Workplaces commonly lack appropriate facilities to support dignified continence care; responders reported feeling more isolated at work now as compared to previous years.
     

Call to action

Incontinence is a widespread, multifaceted issue affecting the health, wellbeing and social participation of millions of people living in Australia. 

Addressing the stigma, improving access to support and facilities, and increasing awareness are essential steps. With collective effort, by policymakers, healthcare professionals, workplaces, consumers and communities we can turn this silent epidemic into a manageable and dignified aspect of life.

 

To do this we must implement:

  1. targeted strategies to identify and demystify incontinence
  2. open conversations about treating and improving continence health
  3. accessible and equitable assessment and treatment services 
  4. better support systems for people with incontinence and their carers.
     

References

  1. Continence Health Australia (2024). Economic cost of incontinence in Australia. Deloitte Access Economics.
  2. 2025 Continence Health Australia National Survey. Data on file

 

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