Home nursing services play a vital role in supporting people to stay safe, comfortable, and independent at home. Qualified nurses visit the home to deliver clinical care—such as medication management, wound care, post‑operative support, chronic disease management, and palliative care—while coordinating with the person’s GP and other providers. This approach is especially helpful for people who are homebound or prefer to recover in familiar surroundings. For an overview of how home care works in Victoria, see the Better Health Channel’s guide to home care services.
How to choose the right home nursing service
There are many options for home nursing services in Melbourne, and it can be challenging to find the best fit. Start by considering your needs and the needs of your loved one, then compare providers on the points below:
- Type of care required: Clarify whether you need clinical nursing (e.g., injections, wound care, catheter care), chronic disease support, post‑surgical care, palliative care, or short-term monitoring.
- Qualifications and registration: Understand who will provide care—Registered Nurse (RN), Enrolled Nurse (EN), or Personal Care/Support Worker—and confirm appropriate supervision. You can check a nurse’s registration on the AHPRA public register: Registers of Practitioners.
- Safety, quality, and policies: Ask about clinical governance, medication management, infection prevention, incident reporting, and how the service partners with patients and families. For context, see the national Partnering with Consumers Standard.
- Availability and continuity: Confirm hours of service, after‑hours or 24/7 support, response times, and whether you’ll have a consistent nurse or small team for continuity of care.
- Communication and care planning: Ask how care plans are created, how progress is documented, and how updates are shared with you and your GP/specialists. Check if they offer digital notes or secure messaging and interpreter support if needed.
- Location and logistics: Ensure the service covers your area and discuss any travel fees, minimum visit lengths, and equipment requirements.
- Costs and funding: Request a clear fee schedule, including after‑hours and public holiday rates. Explore potential funding via My Aged Care Home Care Packages or the NDIS pricing arrangements if eligible.
- Reputation and reviews: Ask for referrals from friends and family, request client references, and check independent feedback platforms such as CareOpinion Australia.
Once you have a shortlist, arrange a meet‑and‑greet or initial assessment to see whether the service feels like a good fit. If possible, ask for a trial visit to confirm the match with your needs and preferences.
Tips for using home nursing services
If you’re arranging home nursing for yourself or a loved one, the following steps can help you set up care smoothly and safely:
- Confirm experience and insurance: Ask about the team’s qualifications, relevant experience (e.g., wound care, dementia, palliative care), clinical supervision, and whether the service is licensed and insured.
- Provide clear instructions: Share a written list of tasks (e.g., medications, dressings, monitoring) and any specific instructions, restrictions, or cultural preferences. Update the service promptly if the person’s condition changes.
- Share essential information: Provide current medication lists, allergies, care plans, GP/specialist contacts, and emergency contacts. Keep important documents accessible.
- Set a reliable schedule: Agree on visit times and frequencies that meet care needs, and stick to the plan where possible. Discuss what to do if visits need to change.
- Establish communication channels: Decide how you’ll communicate (phone, app, care notes) and who to contact for routine questions or urgent issues. Consider a brief weekly check‑in to review progress.
- Prepare the home environment: Ensure there’s good lighting, space for care tasks, and any required equipment or supplies on hand. Ask the nurse about recommended safety aids.
- Know your role: Clarify what the nurse will do and what family carers will handle between visits, so nothing is missed.
The pros of home nursing services
- Comfort and independence: Receiving care at home can reduce stress and support normal routines in a familiar environment.
- Personalised attention: One‑to‑one care plans are tailored to individual needs, preferences, and goals, with family involvement where appropriate.
- Continuity and coordination: Nurses can coordinate with your GP and specialists, helping to streamline treatments and medications.
- Fewer hospital visits: Early identification of problems and timely intervention may reduce emergency presentations and readmissions.
- Potential cost savings: Compared with extended hospital stays, home nursing can often be more cost‑effective for suitable patients.
The cons of home nursing services
- Cost: Services can be expensive, especially for higher‑acuity care or frequent visits by a Registered Nurse. Ask for transparent pricing and explore funding options.
- Availability: In some areas, especially regional or remote locations, services and after‑hours coverage may be limited.
- Coordination challenges: If multiple providers are involved (e.g., physio, personal care, nursing), schedules and communication need active coordination.
- Home environment limitations: Homes lack some hospital equipment and immediate backup, which can restrict the complexity of care delivered.
- Caregiver workload: If you’re not the primary caregiver, balancing your responsibilities with the nurse’s schedule can be challenging.
Many of these drawbacks can be mitigated through careful care planning, clear roles, and regular communication.
The cost of home nursing services
The cost of home nursing varies based on the type and complexity of care, visit length, frequency, time of day (e.g., after‑hours or public holidays), travel distance, and the qualifications of the clinician. Families typically pay out of pocket unless eligible for subsidies or funding. In Australia, support may be available through My Aged Care programs (for older people) or via the NDIS pricing arrangements (for people with disability). Some providers also offer sliding‑scale fees or package rates—ask about any minimum visit times, travel fees, and cancellation policies.
How to get the most out of your home nursing service
- List your goals, needs, and preferences: Share clear priorities (e.g., wound healing, pain control, mobility, avoiding hospital) so the care plan targets what matters most.
- Agree a realistic schedule: Set visit times and frequency that match care needs, and confirm how urgent issues will be handled between visits.
- Communicate early and often: If something isn’t working—or if you need more or less support—let the service know promptly so the plan can be adjusted.
- Keep shared records: Use care notes or an app to track observations, vitals, medications, and changes in condition. This improves handover and continuity.
- Coordinate with your GP and specialists: Authorise information sharing so providers can align on medications, referrals, and follow‑up. Healthdirect has an overview of home care services that may help you prepare.
- Be open to adjustments: As needs change, the service can adapt visit length, frequency, or the mix of skills (RN, EN, support worker).
- Use available education and support: Ask for teaching on wound care, medication use, equipment, and early warning signs, so you can manage confidently between visits.
