Stoma Appliance Scheme

What Is This Payment?

The Stoma Appliance Scheme provides the appliances and products people need to manage a stoma — for example after bowel or bladder surgery. Rather than paying retail prices for pouches and accessories indefinitely, ostomates receive their products free or heavily subsidised through the scheme.

The rule database tags it as a Group B benefit with eligibility_only as its result role, inside the Federal Health cluster. Access runs through membership of one of the national stoma associations, which order and distribute products to members under the scheme.

There is no means test — eligibility is based on having a stoma, not on income. The only practical step is joining a stoma association (which charges a small annual membership fee); from there, the products themselves are covered by the scheme.

How Much Can You Get?

The amount block is eligibility_only with period: none. The scheme produces no cash payment; its value is the free or subsidised supply of products.

• Stoma appliances and products — pouches, baseplates, and related accessories — supplied free or heavily subsidised.
• No income or assets test — eligibility is based on having a stoma, not on your finances.
• Ongoing supply through your stoma association, so the recurring cost of stoma care is removed.

For someone managing a stoma long term, the products would otherwise cost hundreds to thousands of dollars a year, so the scheme is a substantial ongoing saving.

Eligibility Conditions

The eligibility block is an all set.

1. You have a stoma: has_stoma = true. The scheme is for ostomates — people with a stoma who need ongoing stoma products.

The practical step that turns eligibility into supply is joining one of the national stoma associations. Membership (with a small annual fee) is the route through which products are ordered and distributed under the scheme. There is no income or assets test.

Required field is has_stoma. The product surfaces the scheme to people with a stoma because the pathway — join an association, then receive subsidised products — is not always explained at discharge, and some ostomates pay retail for products they could be getting through the scheme.

How To Apply

The channel is through a stoma association, with proof of membership. You join an association, which then supplies your products under the scheme.

• Join one of the national stoma associations (a small annual membership fee applies).
• Work with the association and your stoma care nurse to set up your regular product order.
• Receive your stoma products free or heavily subsidised through the scheme.

Read the official Stoma Appliance Scheme guidance

Rule-Based Scenarios

Scenario 1: after bowel surgery

Someone with a new stoma after bowel surgery joins a stoma association before discharge. Their pouches and baseplates are then supplied through the scheme, free or heavily subsidised, rather than at retail prices.

Scenario 2: switching from retail

An ostomate who has been buying products at full price learns about the scheme, joins an association, and starts receiving the same products at a fraction of the cost.

Scenario 3: no means test

A higher-income ostomate is eligible just the same as a low-income one, because the scheme is based on having a stoma, not on finances.

Scenario 4: changing product needs

As an ostomate's needs change, their stoma care nurse and association adjust the product order, all within the scheme.

Common Mistakes

• Paying retail for stoma products: the scheme supplies products free or heavily subsidised — there is rarely a need to pay full price.
• Not joining a stoma association: association membership is the route to scheme products, so joining is the key step.
• Assuming there is an income test: there is none — eligibility is based on having a stoma.
• Not adjusting the order as needs change: your stoma care nurse and association can change your product order within the scheme.
• Missing it at discharge: the pathway is not always explained in hospital, so ask your stoma care nurse about the scheme.
• Confusing the membership fee with the product cost: the small annual membership fee is separate from — and far smaller than — the cost of the products it unlocks.

Related Benefits

• Continence Aids Payment Scheme — help with the cost of continence products.
• National Diabetes Services Scheme — subsidised diabetes products.
• PBS Safety Net — cheaper or free medicines after an annual threshold.
• Health Care Card — concession access for cheaper medicines and services.
• DVA Rehabilitation Appliances Program — aids and equipment for DVA cardholders.
• Essential Medical Equipment Payment — help with the running costs of medical equipment.

Frequently Asked Questions