Private nursing care at home: What to expect

Key takeaways

• A private in-home nurse is a Registered Nurse or Enrolled Nurse who provides clinical care in your home.
• A nurse can support post-hospital recovery or more complex health needs at home, while an independent support worker can help with everyday tasks such as personal care or housework.
• Private nurses may provide support with wound care, medication management, catheter care, continence management, vital signs monitoring and post-operative recovery.
• Private in-home nursing may suit people recovering from surgery, managing chronic conditions, or those caring at home for someone in these situations. 
• Through Mable, private nurses set their own rates, so you can review indicative rates and agree on costs before booking.
• All nurses on Mable will already be verified and have AHPRA registration. 

If you’re preparing to leave hospital or managing an ongoing health condition, you may wonder whether you may benefit from clinical care at home. The same can be said if you’re caring for someone in a similar situation. 

Unlike a support worker, who can help with everyday tasks such as personal care or housework, a private nurse can provide clinical care at home for people recovering after hospital, or for those with complex care needs.  

Many people don’t realise that private in-home nursing can be accessible and simple to arrange. This guide explains what a private nurse does, what affects private nursing care at home costs, and how to find a qualified nurse through Mable.

It’s important to understand this guide focuses on privately arranged in-home nursing care, not  government or hospital-led programs such as the NSW Hospital in the Home (HITH) or Out of Hospital Care (OHC). These are usually short-term programs that have their own eligibility requirements and referral pathways.

What is a private in-home nurse?

A private in-home nurse is a qualified nurse who comes to your home to provide personalised clinical care. They’re either Registered or Enrolled Nurses with specialised clinical training that allows them to assess health needs and support more complex healthcare tasks, such as pain management. 

A private nurse is different from an independent support worker. A support worker helps with everyday tasks such as meal preparation, housework, personal care, transport and support with daily routines. 

In some situations, you may need support from a qualified nurse and a support worker. For example, after surgery, a nurse may support wound care and medication management, while a support worker may help with meals, housework or personal care, such as showering. You can arrange both types of support through Mable, based on what you need.

What can a private nurse do at home?

Through Mable, you can access a range of support services, including private nursing care at home. The right services will depend on your health needs and care plan, as well as what the nurse is qualified and experienced to provide.

Nursing services available through Mable include:

• Post-operative recovery care: A smooth transition from hospital to home may help recovery feel safer and more supported. After surgery or a procedure, a nurse may assist with wound care, pain management, mobility support and monitoring for changes.

• Medication management: Support with organising, scheduling and administering medication safely may help a person feel more confident with their treatment plan, especially after hospital discharge or when several medications are involved.

• Ongoing wound care: Consistent wound care may support healing and help reduce the risk of complications. A qualified nurse can assess wounds, clean and change dressings, and monitor for changes that may need follow-up. 

• Continence management: Private nursing support with bladder or bowel concerns may help the person feel more comfortable, dignified and confident in daily routines. A nurse can help with continence care, monitoring and practical strategies at home. 

• Vital signs monitoring: Regular monitoring may help identify changes early and support more informed care at home. A nurse can monitor blood pressure, temperature, pulse or other signs that may need further attention.

• Catheter care: Feeling comfortable and supported with catheter needs can make daily life at home feel more manageable. A qualified nurse can help with catheter hygiene, comfort and monitoring which may reduce the risk of irritation, leaks or other issues.

• Respiratory support: Support with breathing needs may help the person feel more comfortable at home. A nurse can assist with respiratory care, device management and monitoring.

• Pain management: Feeling more comfortable day to day can make recovery or managing a health condition feel more achievable. A nurse can help assess pain and support medication routines as part of a broader care plan.

Who is private in-home nursing for?

Private in-home nursing can support people with many different health needs. It may be suitable for:

• Post-surgery recovery: For those recovering from surgery or a procedure who need ongoing clinical oversight

• Managing chronic conditions: For those managing chronic conditions, such as high blood pressure or diabetes

• Hospital discharge support: For those who’ve been discharged from hospital and need support while they move from hospital-level care towards greater independence

• Family caregiver support: For those who are coordinating care for someone at home who may need respite, clinical backup or professional guidance about their care needs.

How much does in home care cost?

When comparing private nursing care at home costs, it may help to understand that rates can vary depending on the nurse’s experience, qualifications, location and the type of clinical care required. 

All nurses booked through Mable are independent professionals who set their own rates. When you arrange nursing support through Mable, you have more choice around pricing.You can review indicative rates on nurse profiles, discuss rates directly with them and know what you’ll pay before a support session is booked. 

It’s important to understand that specialist or clinical services, such as wound care, catheter management or post-operative care, may carry a higher rate than general support because they require specific nursing skills and clinical responsibility.

Some people choose to self-fund their private nursing care costs at home. Others may choose to use government funding if they’re eligible, such as NDIS funding or Support at Home aged care funding. If you don’t have government funding, you can still arrange private nursing care through Mable by paying privately.

What should you consider when choosing a private nurse?

Before choosing a private nurse, it may help to first think about the kind of care needed at home. Is it short-term support after surgery or hospital discharge? Is it ongoing help with a medical condition? Is it clinical support while taking respite from caring for someone else?

With this in mind, here are some other things you may like to consider when choosing a private nurse:

• Professional registration: Australian nurses must be AHPRA registered to provide nursing support in Australia, and are expected to meet professional standards for safe care. Every nurse on Mable must hold current AHPRA registration as a Registered Nurse or Enrolled Nurse for a minimum of 12 months.

• Verification: References can add reassurance when choosing support. Nurses on Mable must provide Mable with 2 verified professional or character references.

• Relevant experience: The right experience can help ensure the nurse is suited to your needs. Review whether the nurse has experience with the type of support you require, such as wound care or chronic condition management.

• Client reviews: Browsing reviews may give you a clearer sense of the nurse’s communication, reliability and approach to care, and see if they match your needs. 

• Meet and greet options: A meet and greet may help you discuss care goals, schedule, expectations and fit before booking ongoing support.

This information is available on each nurse’s profile on Mable, helping you compare options and choose someone who feels right for your needs.

How do you find a private nurse through Mable? 

Through Mable, you can arrange private nursing support without a referral or joining a waitlist. It’s also free to sign up to browse qualified nurse profiles. Using the Mable platform gives you more choice and control over who supports you, when support happens and how your care is arranged.

Here’s how it works:

1. Connect: Post a job or browse local profiles using filters to find nurses with the skills and experience you need.

2. Book: Once you’ve found a nurse who may be the right fit, you can discuss and can agree on rates and session times. You may also choose to arrange a meet and greet session before booking to ask questions and understand their support style. Support Worker Insurance is included with every support session booked and invoiced through Mable. 

3. Manage ongoing support: Schedule sessions and make payments by credit card, direct debit or NDIS or Support at Home government funding, if you are eligible and these types of support services are included in your plan.

Arrange private nursing care at home with confidence 

Having a qualified nurse provide care at home may make managing recovery or a long-term health condition feel easier to manage. A nurse can offer clinical support, reassurance and practical help during what may be a challenging or vulnerable time for you or the person you care for.

Through Mable, arranging private in-home nursing can be straightforward. You can review qualified nurse profiles, experience and client reviews, then agree on rates directly with the nurse before support begins. This gives you more transparency and control over private nursing care costs at home, alongside more choice over who provides support. 

Sign up for free on Mable and find a qualified nurse today.