Caring for a loved one with high care needs is deeply rewarding — but it is also physically and emotionally demanding. Wattletree Health Group provides registered nurse respite care at home, giving carers the opportunity to rest, attend appointments, or simply take time for themselves, with complete confidence that their loved one is in expert clinical hands.
Our experienced Division 1 registered nurses provide day and overnight respite nursing for carers of adults and children across all of Greater Melbourne — available 24/7, with no waitlists.
What is Carer Respite Nursing?
Carer respite nursing means a trained and experienced registered nurse takes over the care of your loved one for a defined period — whether a few hours, a full day, or overnight — while you take a break. Unlike personal care workers or support workers, our nurses are clinically equipped to manage complex health needs, administer medications, manage wound care, and respond to deterioration.
This means carers of people with significant clinical needs — not just personal care needs — can access genuine respite with confidence.
What Carer Respite Nursing Includes
During the respite period, our registered nurses can provide:
- Day respite — a few hours to a full day of registered nurse care at home
- Overnight respite — nurse stays overnight so the primary carer can rest and sleep
- Medication administration and management during the visit
- Wound care, catheter care, stoma care, and other clinical nursing tasks
- Monitoring of complex or unstable health conditions
- Assistance with personal care and showering
- Syringe driver management for palliative clients
- Respiratory care including tracheostomy management
- Documentation and handover to the regular carer on return
Who Carer Respite Nursing is For
Our respite nursing service is designed for family members and informal carers who are the primary caregiver for someone with significant clinical needs, including carers of:
- Elderly parents or family members with complex care needs
- Adults with disability receiving NDIS support
- Children with complex medical conditions
- Loved ones receiving palliative or end of life care
- Patients recovering from surgery or serious illness
- People with chronic conditions requiring ongoing clinical monitoring
Funding Options for Carer Respite Nursing
Carer respite nursing can be funded through several pathways:
- Private (self-funded) — available immediately, no referral or application required
- NDIS — we are registered NDIS providers and can bill your plan directly
- My Aged Care / Support At Home — we can bill your HCP or SAH package directly
- TAC and WorkSafe — where applicable to your circumstances
Why Choose Wattletree Health Group for Carer Respite?
- Registered nurses — not support workers; clinically equipped for complex care needs
- Day and overnight cover — flexible to your schedule and respite needs
- NDIS registered, My Aged Care and Support At Home approved provider
- Available 24/7 across all of Greater Melbourne
- No waitlists — respite can usually be arranged within 24–48 hours
- Nurse-owned and nurse-led — deep understanding of complex home care
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I book respite nursing for just one night?
Yes — respite nursing can be arranged for a single overnight stay, a few hours, or a regular weekly booking. We work around your schedule and your loved one’s care needs.
Is respite nursing different from personal care?
Yes. Registered nurse respite means the person providing care is a trained Division 1 registered nurse — trained to administer medications, manage clinical equipment, and respond to medical deterioration. Personal care workers and support workers do not have this clinical training. If your loved one has significant clinical needs, nurse-provided respite is the appropriate level of care.
Can NDIS fund carer respite nursing?
Yes — NDIS plans may include funding for respite supports. Wattletree Health Group is a registered NDIS provider and can discuss how nursing respite may be funded under your participant’s plan. We recommend speaking with your NDIS support coordinator about your options.
What areas of Melbourne do you cover?
Wattletree Health Group provides carer respite nursing across all of Greater Melbourne, including metropolitan areas and many surrounding regions. See the service areas list below, or contact us to confirm availability for your specific location.
Book Carer Respite Nursing Today
Wattletree Health Group provides experienced registered nurse respite care at home for carers across Melbourne — day and overnight, private, NDIS, and My Aged Care / Support At Home.
Call us on 03 9140 0944 or contact us online to arrange respite nursing.
Service Areas
Wattletree Health Group provides this service across Greater Melbourne. Click your council area to learn more:
- Banyule
- Bayside
- Boroondara
- Brimbank
- Cardinia
- Casey
- Darebin
- Frankston
- Glen Eira
- Greater Dandenong
- Hobsons Bay
- Hume
- Kingston
- Knox
- Manningham
- Maroondah
- Maribyrnong
- Melbourne
- Melton
- Merri-Bek
- Monash
- Moonee Valley
- Mornington Peninsula
- Nillumbik
- Port Phillip
- Stonnington
- Whitehorse
- Whittlesea
- Wyndham
- Yarra
- Yarra Ranges
Your area not listed? Contact us — we cover all of Greater Melbourne and surrounds.
