07 Aug 2026

Tasmanian Private Nursing Services: When Government Funding Does Not Cover It

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Key Takeaways

• Government funding does not cover every need: Support at Home and CHSP fund a defined range of services, but gaps can arise for people with complex, urgent, or highly specific nursing requirements.
• Private nursing provides flexible, immediate access: Unlike government-funded pathways, private nursing services are available without a waiting period or formal assessment.
• Private and funded services can work alongside each other: You do not have to choose one or the other. Many Tasmanians use private nursing to supplement their existing funded care.
• Private nursing is self-funded: You pay the full cost directly, though some private health insurance policies may contribute to the cost of in-home nursing.
• Qualified nurses deliver private nursing services: Reputable private nursing providers employ registered and enrolled nurses who deliver clinical care to the same professional standard as government-funded services.
• Private nursing is particularly useful in certain situations: These include post-surgical recovery, complex wound care, palliative care, overnight or after-hours nursing, and short-term care needs that do not qualify for government funding.

For many older Tasmanians, government-funded home care programs provide a vital foundation of support. But government funding has limits, and those limits do not always match the realities of individual health and care situations. When the gap between what is funded and what is needed becomes apparent, private nursing services can fill that space.

This is not a reflection of the quality of the government programs available. It is simply the reality that clinical care needs are sometimes urgent, complex, or specific in ways that fall outside defined funding categories. Understanding when and how private nursing might help can make a significant difference for people managing challenging health situations at home.

What Government-Funded Nursing Covers

Under the Support at Home program, clinical nursing care is classified as a Clinical support and is fully government funded with no participant contribution. This includes services such as wound care, medication management, health monitoring, continence nursing, and management of ongoing conditions.

The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) also provides access to nursing services for eligible older Australians with entry-level care needs. The Tasmanian Department of Health delivers some state-funded nursing services through community health centres, and DVA-funded veterans may access the Community Nursing Program through a GP or specialist referral.

These programs cover a substantial range of nursing care for people who are assessed as eligible. The challenge arises when care needs fall outside eligibility criteria, when there is a wait for an assessment or approval to come through, when care is needed outside standard service hours, or when the volume or complexity of nursing care required exceeds what a funded plan can realistically provide.

Home and Community Care (HACC) funding is also an option for clients requiring nursing care services in some areas of Southern Tasmania.

Common Situations Where Private Nursing Bridges the Gap

People in Tasmania choose private nursing services for a variety of reasons. Some of the most common situations include:

• Post-surgical recovery at home: After a hospital discharge, the level of nursing support required can be intensive and short-term. Private nursing provides the skilled, consistent care needed to recover safely at home without a gap waiting for funded services to begin.
• Complex wound care: Chronic wounds, surgical wounds, or pressure injuries that require regular, skilled dressing changes may need nursing attention more frequently than a funded plan allows.
• Palliative and end-of-life care: Families supporting a loved one in the final stages of life often find that overnight nursing, after-hours support, or simply a higher frequency of nursing visits is needed. Private nursing can provide this alongside the End of Life Care Pathway under Support at Home.
• Waiting for assessment or funding approval: The process of registering with My Aged Care, completing an assessment, and beginning funded services takes time. Private nursing provides clinical support in the interim, without requiring a formal aged care assessment.
• Care needs that do not meet funding thresholds: Some individuals may not yet meet the criteria for Support at Home or CHSP but still have genuine clinical nursing needs. Private services are available without an eligibility threshold.
• Supplementing existing funded services: For people whose funded care plan does not fully meet their nursing needs, private services can top up what is available without affecting the funded arrangement.

Can You Combine Private and Government-Funded Nursing?

Yes. Using private nursing does not affect your eligibility for or access to government-funded aged care services. Many Tasmanians use both at the same time, particularly during periods of increased health need or transition.

For example, a person on the Support at Home program might use their funded nursing for regular medication management and wound dressing reviews, while arranging private nursing for weekend or evening check-ins when their care worker is not rostered.

It is worth discussing any planned private care with your home care provider or care coordinator, simply to ensure your overall care plan remains coordinated and your clinical needs are being met consistently.

What to Consider When Choosing a Private Nursing Provider

When accessing private nursing outside the government-funded system, it is important to ensure the quality and safety of care. Some practical considerations include:

• Confirm that the provider employs qualified registered or enrolled nurses with current AHPRA registration
• Ask about the nurse's experience with your specific clinical needs, such as wound care, medication management, or palliative support
• Clarify the provider's availability, including after-hours, weekend, and overnight access if that is what you need
• Understand the full costs involved and ask about any private health insurance rebates that may apply
• Ensure the provider can communicate with your GP or treating team to maintain continuity of clinical care

A Note on Private Health Insurance

Some private health insurance policies in Australia include coverage for in-home nursing services. The extent of this coverage varies significantly between policies and funds. It is worth contacting your insurer directly to clarify what is covered, what the claiming process involves, and whether your specific nursing need qualifies.

If you have private health insurance and are paying for private nursing, asking your insurer about potential rebates is a simple step that may reduce your out-of-pocket costs.

How The District Nurses Can Help

At The District Nurses, we have provided professional nursing care to Tasmanians at home for more than 129 years. Our Private and Brokered Services include community nursing, post-surgery nursing care, wound management, and clinical assessment — all available without a government funding approval or waiting period.

Whether you are waiting for a government assessment, supplementing your existing funded care, or simply prefer the flexibility and immediacy of privately arranged nursing, we can discuss your situation and help identify the best approach. Contact us or visit our Private Services page to find out more.

Contact The District Nurses today to discuss private nursing options in Tasmania.