Get help at home

You may be able to get some government-funded short-term help while recovering from an illness or injury. To get longer-term help, your level of need and your financial situation need to be assessed.

Short-term help while recovering at home from surgery or illness

While recovering at home, you may need some help. Depending on your needs, your doctor may organise a district nurse to visit you at home. District nurse visits are government-funded and are based on your needs not your income.

District nurses provide care in the community, either in a person’s home or at a district nursing clinic. To see a district nurse you need to be referred by a hospital or your GP (doctor).

Longer-term help for ongoing illness, injury or for disabled people

If you need help for a longer time, your doctor will arrange a needs assessment through a Needs Assessment Service Coordination (NASC) team. The team will work out what help you need and organise it for you.

Part of the assessment is a financial means test that looks at your income and assets to see if you qualify. You may qualify for some or all services to be government funded.

Find out more about getting a needs assessment, or discuss it with your doctor.

Getting a needs assessment

Options you can pay for — private home care

You can also choose to pay for private nursing or medical help in your home. Contact home-help providers directly to organise this.

Find a provider — Home and community health association

Medical care in your home

Nursing or medical help in your home may include:

• regular tests — for example, blood pressure or blood sugar levels
• help with taking medication and IV therapy
• caring for a wound or ulcer — for example, changing the dressing
• stoma or catheter management — for people who have had a stoma or catheter put in
• continence help — to help you manage toileting problems
• equipment to help you get around
• respite care — someone to help with your care for a short time to give your carer a break.

If you need care from a specialist, see your doctor for a referral.

Seeing a specialist