Community nursing care
NDIS support
Nursing care delivered in the person’s home or community by a registered or enrolled nurse, for example wound care, medication management or help with complex health needs.
The short answer
Community nursing is clinical care delivered at home or in the community by a nurse. It can include wound care, medication management and support for complex health needs.
About Community nursing care
Community nurses bring clinical care to the place where a person lives, so they do not have to travel to a clinic or hospital. The work varies. It can be caring for wounds, managing medication, monitoring a health condition, supporting people with catheters or feeding tubes, or teaching a person and their family how to manage a health need.
Nurses in Australia are registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. Registered nurses and enrolled nurses have different scopes of practice, so it helps to ask who will visit and what they are qualified to do.
Nursing care usually works alongside your doctor and other health professionals. A good provider communicates with your GP, records what happens on each visit and has a clear process for what to do if your health changes or in an emergency.
Who is this service for?
People who need nursing care at home or in the community, for example for wound care, medication management or ongoing health conditions.
What a typical session looks like
A community nursing visit normally happens at home or in another community setting. The nurse arrives at the arranged time, checks in with you about how you are feeling, and carries out the care in your plan, such as wound care, medication support, managing a health condition, or monitoring changes in your health.
The nurse also watches for early signs of problems, explains what they are doing and why, and keeps records that can be shared with your doctor and other health professionals. Many people value having someone with clinical skills who can answer questions and help them feel more confident managing their health at home.
Who delivers this support
Community nursing is provided by registered nurses and, for some tasks, enrolled nurses working under the supervision of a registered nurse. Nurses must be registered with the relevant national board, and it is reasonable to ask about their experience with your particular condition. Some tasks in a health plan are delegated to trained support workers, and the nurse should explain how that is supervised.
How to choose a provider
- Ask whether the nurses who visit are registered nurses or enrolled nurses.
- Find out how the provider communicates with your doctor.
- Ask what happens out of hours or in an emergency.
- Check how visits are scheduled and what happens if your regular nurse is away.
- Ask how they keep records and share information with you.
Questions to ask a provider
- Can you check my nurse's registration, and do they have experience with my condition?
- How will visits be arranged, and what happens if my needs change or I become unwell?
- Who will you share information with, and how do you keep my records safe?
- How do you work with my doctor and other health professionals?
- Are any tasks handled by support workers, and how are they trained and supervised?
- What should I do if I have a concern about the care I am receiving?
Common mistakes to avoid
- Not checking a nurse's registration on the national register before care begins.
- Expecting a nurse to handle needs that are outside the agreed plan without first discussing it.
- Leaving other health professionals out of the loop, which can lead to gaps or repeated advice.
- Not raising small changes in health early, when they are easier to address.
- Assuming all tasks are done by nurses when some may be delegated to support workers.
Getting started
- Talk to your doctor about the nursing care you need.
- Contact providers and describe your needs and location.
- Ask for a written care plan and a service agreement.
- Agree how often the plan will be reviewed.
How it fits with the rest of your plan
Community nursing works alongside your general practitioner, specialists, therapists and support workers. It often complements personal care, medication assistance and daily living support, so it helps if the nurse, the doctor and other supporters share information about your health. Your plan should make clear which health needs the nurse looks after and which are managed by others.
Eligibility
You can use NDIS funding for Community nursing care if it is included in your NDIS plan. The NDIS funds supports that are reasonable and necessary: they relate to your disability, help you pursue your goals and represent value for money. Not sure whether it is in your plan? Check your plan, or ask your planner, Local Area Coordinator or support coordinator. You can also arrange it privately.
Funding
Which part of an NDIS plan pays for Community nursing care depends on the specific support and on how your plan is set up. Your planner, Local Area Coordinator or support coordinator can confirm where it fits, and providers can give you a quote to check against your budget. Many NDIS supports have price limits, so ask providers for a quote and check it against the current NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits. Whether your plan is managed by the NDIA, by a plan manager or by you, ask for a written quote and a service agreement before you start. If your plan is plan-managed or self-managed you can use providers who are not registered with the NDIS. If it is NDIA-managed you generally need a registered provider.
What it costs
Supports such as Community nursing care that are funded by the NDIS are paid at rates that follow the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits, which the NDIA reviews regularly. Many items have a maximum price, and some prices are higher in remote areas. Before you start, ask for a written quote that lists each support, the hours and the price, and check it against the current NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits on the NDIS website. A provider may charge less than a limit. If you pay privately, the provider sets its own fees. Plan-managed and self-managed participants can also use providers who are not registered, and those providers set their own prices.
Nursing providers on the NDIS register
8,227 NDIS providers list nursing supports on the NDIS Commission register of registered providers. A register listing shows what the register says, not who has capacity.
Providers listing nursing
- 1 Abbira Care Services - VIC; includes Fraser Rise, VIC
- 1 All Care - SA; includes Findon, SA
- 1 Care Connect - NSW; includes Manly, NSW; Rooty Hill, NSW; Rosehill, NSW
- 1 Heart Care Services - NSW; includes Orange, NSW
- 1 In Town Services - SA; includes Mansfield Park, SA
- 1 The Helpers - NSW; includes Parramatta, NSW
- 1-Care - NSW; includes Lalor Park, NSW
- 10 Plus Care - VIC; includes Camberwell, VIC
- 121 Best Care - QLD; includes Calamvale, QLD
- 13 Care Solutions - VIC; includes Cobblebank, VIC
- 13 Health Service Organisation - VIC; includes Donnybrook, VIC
- 13homecare - NSW; includes Doonside, NSW
See all 8,227 nursing providers
Listings by state and territory
- New South Wales (2,692)
- Victoria (2,375)
- Queensland (1,539)
- South Australia (857)
- Western Australia (812)
- Australian Capital Territory (207)
- Tasmania (156)
- Northern Territory (156)
Suburbs with the most listings
- Brisbane, QLD (407)
- Melbourne, VIC (330)
- Sydney, NSW (246)
- Perth, WA (205)
- Central Coast, NSW (197)
- Adelaide, SA (185)
- Blacktown, NSW (169)
- Parramatta, NSW (155)
- Ipswich, QLD (140)
- Geelong, VIC (127)
- Tarneit, VIC (127)
- Canberra, ACT (125)
Listings covering the most areas
- Permalink Support Services - 503 areas
- Nurse Next Door Batemans Bay - 413 areas
- Hunter Valley Care & Assistance - 249 areas
- Nurse Next Door Ballarat - 233 areas
- Nurse Next Door Armidale - 230 areas
- Nurse Next Door Wagga Wagga - 207 areas
- Nurse Next Door Canberra - 189 areas
- Huge Care - 188 areas
Checking credentials
- Check registration Search the NDIS Commission's register of registered providers to see whether a provider is registered and for which types of support. Plan-managed and self-managed participants can also use unregistered providers.
- Ask about worker screening Ask whether workers hold a current NDIS Worker Screening Check where their role requires one, and how the provider checks its workers' identity and qualifications.
- Get it in writing Ask for a written quote and a service agreement that describes the support, the prices, how to change or end it and how to make a complaint.
Regulation and safeguards
NDIS providers and their workers must follow the NDIS Code of Conduct, and registered providers are regulated by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.
- NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission Regulates NDIS providers and handles complaints about the quality and safety of NDIS supports. Phone: 1800 035 544.
- National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) Runs the NDIS. Contact them about your plan, your funding and eligibility. Phone: 1800 800 110.
Related services
- Continence products
- Customised prosthetics and orthotics
- Hearing services and audiology
- Home enteral nutrition (HEN)
Frequently asked questions
What does a community nurse do?
A community nurse delivers clinical care outside a hospital, such as wound care, managing medication, monitoring health conditions and supporting people with complex health needs at home.
Are community nurses qualified?
Nurses in Australia are registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. You can ask a provider about the qualifications and experience of the nurses who will visit.
How do I arrange nursing care?
Speak to your doctor or planner about what is needed, then contact providers for availability and a quote. A support coordinator can help you compare options and set up services.
Can a nurse give injections or manage medication at home?
It depends on the nurse's qualifications and your care plan. Ask the provider what they can do and what is arranged with your doctor.
How do I know a nurse is registered?
Nurses are listed on a public register kept by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, which you can search.
Is community nursing the same as a support worker?
No. Nurses provide clinical care, while support workers help with everyday activities. Some people need both.
What can a community nurse help with at home?
Common tasks include wound care, medication management, continence care, monitoring health conditions and helping you understand and follow health advice. The exact tasks depend on your needs and your health plan.
How can I check that a nurse is properly registered?
Registered health practitioners appear on the national register kept by AHPRA, which you can search online. It is a quick and reliable way to confirm their registration.
What is the difference between a nurse and a support worker for health tasks?
Nurses have clinical training and registration, which allows them to assess health needs and carry out clinical tasks. Support workers may help with certain tasks when they have been trained and are supervised, but they do not replace a nurse's clinical judgment.
Can I use my NDIS plan to pay for Community nursing care?
If Community nursing care is in your NDIS plan and is reasonable and necessary for you, then yes. Check with your planner, Local Area Coordinator or support coordinator. You can also arrange it privately.
How do I find a Community nursing care provider near me?
Browse providers on SolDirectory, or send a free enquiry with your location and what you need and suitable providers will review it. Then ask each one about availability, a quote and a service agreement before you decide. Details come from providers and registers, so confirm them directly.
Sources and further reading
- NDIS: how the NDIS works, plans and price limits
- NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission: find a registered provider, make a complaint
- AHPRA: check a health practitioner's registration
Browse the NDIS and aged care provider directory
Helpful reading
- How to choose an NDIS provider: 12 questions to ask before you commit: A practical checklist for comparing providers, from how a service fits your plan to what happens when something goes wrong.
- Registered or unregistered? What it means when you choose an NDIS provider: Registered and unregistered providers can both be legitimate, but the rules, checks and options for your plan are not the same. Here is how to think about the difference.
- How to change NDIS provider without losing support: You are allowed to change providers. A little planning means the new service is ready before the old one ends, and nothing falls through the gap.