Why Access to Public Toilets Matters
Why access to public toilets matters
For many people, heading out for the day isn’t always straightforward.
If you’re living with incontinence, supporting someone with additional needs, or managing mobility challenges, access to a clean and nearby toilet can shape how confident you feel leaving the house.
In Australia, around 1 in 4 people experience incontinence. That’s a significant number of people who need reliable access to facilities when they’re out and about.
Having that certainty can make everyday activities like shopping, appointments, or social outings feel more manageable.
Can you find public toilets easily in Australia?
Not always.
While there are thousands of public toilets across the country, they’re not always easy to locate when you need them most.
That’s where the National Public Toilet Map becomes a valuable tool.
Managed by Continence Health Australia, the map helps people find nearby public toilets based on location, accessibility, and opening hours.
It’s searched more than 3.7 million times each year, showing just how many people rely on it.
What is the National Public Toilet Map?
The National Public Toilet Map is a free online tool and app that helps you:
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Find public toilets across Australia
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Check accessibility features
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View opening hours and location details
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Plan outings with more confidence
It currently lists over 25,000 toilets nationwide, including some in remote and unexpected locations.
For people managing continence challenges, it’s a simple but powerful way to reduce uncertainty before leaving home.
How the Great Dunny Hunt is helping
From 23 March to 15 June 2026, Continence Health Australia is running the Great Dunny Hunt.
The goal is simple.
Find and add missing public toilets to the map.
Last year, 862 toilets were added by everyday Australians. Each update helps make the map more accurate and useful for everyone.
You can take part by:
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Visiting www.toiletmap.gov.au or downloading the app
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Logging in or registering
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Adding or updating a public toilet
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Opting into the Great Dunny Hunt to enter the draw
There’s also a chance to win a $1,000 Discovery Holiday Parks voucher.
Who benefits from better toilet access?
Improving access to public toilet information supports:
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People living with incontinence
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People with disability
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Carers and family members
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Older Australians
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Travellers, including grey nomads
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Emergency service workers
It’s not just about convenience.
It’s about making everyday life more accessible.
Tips for managing continence when out
Planning ahead can make outings feel more manageable and less stressful.
Some simple steps include:
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Checking toilet locations before leaving home
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Allowing extra time for stops
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Packing spare clothing or continence products if needed
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Choosing destinations with reliable facilities
Small adjustments like these can help reduce uncertainty and support more comfortable day-to-day experiences.
Making everyday outings more possible
Access to public toilets might seem like a small detail, but it can have a big impact.
When people know where facilities are and feel prepared, it becomes easier to stay active, connected, and involved in daily life.
Tools like the National Public Toilet Map, along with community efforts like the Great Dunny Hunt, help make that possible.
