Stoma Appliance Scheme

This section of the website contains information on stoma appliance scheme.

The Stoma Appliance Scheme (SAS), subsidised by the Australian Government, provides stoma related products free of charge to ostomates.

Ostomates are people who have been given a temporary or permanent surgically created body opening, usually in the abdominal region.

This artificial opening allows the removal of body waste when a person has lost normal bowel or bladder functions as a result of disease, injury, birth defects or other causes.

There are approximately 30, 000 ostomates nationally who receive products under the SAS through approved volunteer stoma associations. The stoma associations purchase stoma related products from suppliers and distribute to their members as required.

The choice of products which an ostomate uses is guided by a Stomal Therapy Nurse (STN) who is specifically trained to advise ostomates in the use of stomal products following colostomy or ileostomy surgery. The STN will select and discuss products they feel are appropriate for the patient taking into consideration their lifestyle requirements.