Community nursing under the NDIS provides skilled in‑home care across Perth. Through our community nursing services, the community nursing NDIS perth team at Elmur helps participants heal, stay independent and avoid unnecessary hospital stays. From wound care to complex medication routines, qualified nurses visit homes across Perth each day so that participants can heal, stay independent and avoid unnecessary hospital trips. This long‑form guide explains exactly how the service is funded, what it costs, and how you can lock in the right support team for yourself or someone you care about.
1. What Counts as Community Nursing?
Community nursing is clinical care delivered outside a hospital. Under the NDIS it falls within the Improved Daily Living category but uses its own set of item numbers. Typical tasks include:
- Stoma, catheter and tracheostomy care
- Wound assessment and dressing changes
- Complex bowel and continence management
- Diabetes education and insulin administration
- PEG feeds and enteral nutrition
- Medication reviews and scripts
- Health education for participants and carers
Because these supports are health‑related and often time‑critical, having a registered provider on call gives families peace of mind.
2. Who Is Eligible in Western Australia?
You may receive funding for community nursing if you:
- Are an active NDIS participant living in WA.
- Have a disability‑related health need that requires a qualified nurse rather than a support worker.
- Can show that the service will help you pursue your NDIS goals (for example, managing wounds to keep working or studying).
- Provide clinical evidence (GP or specialist letters, past hospital discharge summaries, photos of wounds).
- Demonstrate that mainstream health services alone cannot meet the need on an ongoing basis.
Tip: Bring copies of your medical reports to your planning meeting. If the planner sees clear evidence, they can add the correct budget line from day one.
For a full list of disability and health supports, visit our NDIS provider in Perth page.
3. 2025 Item Numbers and Price Limits
Below is a snapshot of weekday daytime rates drawn from the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits 2025‑26. Evening, weekend and public‑holiday sessions cost more, but the structure stays the same.DHS Disability Services
| Nurse Type | Item Number | Weekday Daytime Rate (per hour) |
|---|---|---|
| Enrolled Nurse (EN) | 01_600_0114_1_1 | $96.78 |
| Registered Nurse (RN) | 01_606_0114_1_1 | $119.82 |
| Clinical Nurse (CN) | 01_612_0114_1_1 | $138.60 |
| Clinical Nurse Consultant | 01_618_0114_1_1 | $163.91 |
| Nurse Practitioner | 01_624_0114_1_1 | $171.37 |
Download the full NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits 2025‑26 (PDF) from the NDIA website for the latest national price caps.
Why rates vary: The NDIS sets higher limits for advanced qualifications and for shifts that happen after 6 pm, overnight, on weekends or public holidays. Providers cannot invoice above these caps, but you are free to negotiate a lower fee.
4. Step‑by‑Step Referral and Assessment Process
| Step | What Happens | Who Is Involved |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Initial Enquiry | Call or email Elmur with a summary of your health needs. | Participant, family member or Support Coordinator |
| 2. Document Review | Provide recent medical letters, wound photos or specialist reports. | Elmur intake nurse |
| 3. Service Proposal | Elmur drafts a care plan with recommended hours, nurse type and cost. | Clinical lead nurse |
| 4. Plan Approval | Submit the proposal through the myplace portal or give it to your planner. | Participant, NDIS planner |
| 5. First Home Visit | Nurse completes a full health assessment and confirms goals. | Allocated nurse |
| 6. Ongoing Sessions | Visits follow the schedule (for example, three mornings per week for four weeks). | Nurse, participant |
| 7. Progress Review | After one quarter, Elmur issues a progress report and adjusts goals if needed. | Nurse, participant, Support Coordinator |
Tip: Keep a logbook of every visit. It helps when you seek more hours or move to self‑management later.
5. In‑Home Care vs Clinic Appointments
| Feature | In‑Home Visit | Clinic Visit |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy | Highest – all care in your own environment | Moderate – shared waiting areas |
| Infection Control | Lower exposure to hospitals | Clinical sterilisation available |
| Hands‑On Training for Carers | Easy – nurse demonstrates with your exact equipment | Limited to what you bring |
| Travel Costs | Provider may charge travel time | Usually no travel fee |
| Ideal For | Complex wounds, mobility issues | Vaccinations, quick reviews |
Most participants start with in‑home sessions, then move occasional reviews to a clinic to save budget.
6. Real‑Life Snapshot: Emma’s Story
Emma, 32, lives in Canning Vale and has cerebral palsy. After foot surgery she needed daily wound care and pain management. Her 2024 NDIS plan included 40 hours of community nursing. Working with Elmur’s RN Karen, Emma:
- Learned to monitor for infection signs using a colour reference chart.
- Trialled a lightweight orthopaedic boot sourced through Assistive Technology funding.
- Reduced dressings from daily to every third day within four weeks.
- Avoided a readmission to hospital, saving her plan more than $4,000 in transport and bed fees.
Emma’s feedback: “Karen explained every step in plain English and left easy‑to‑follow instructions for my mum. I’m now back at TAFE two days a week.”
7. How to Choose the Right Provider
- Check WA registration: Use the NDIS provider finder and confirm they hold the Nursing Registration Group 0114.
- Ask about clinical governance: Do they run regular skill audits, wound‑care audits and incident reviews?
- Look for continuity: A stable roster means fewer strangers in your home.
- Request sample reports: Well‑written progress reports help at plan reviews.
- Confirm availability: Can they cover holiday periods and emergency call‑outs?
- Gauge communication style: Good nurses teach as they work, empowering you to do simple tasks yourself.
8. Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on clinical complexity and goals. First‑time participants often receive 20–40 hours for a three‑month block. Provide strong evidence if you need more.
Yes, but the tasks must be different. A support worker can assist with showering once the nurse has set the wound dressing, for example.
Providers can claim their time plus $1.15 per kilometre or the actual public‑transport fare (capped at 60 minutes each way unless agreed in writing).
Absolutely. Give seven days’ notice in writing, download past progress notes and sign a new service agreement.
9. First‑Visit Checklist (Save or Print)
- Personal ID and NDIS number
- Current medications and dosages
- Latest hospital discharge summary
- Wound photos (if relevant)
- Emergency contacts
- Preferred GP details
- A safe place for sharps container
- Spare dressings or continence products
- List of short‑term goals (e.g., drive again, return to work, play sport)
10. Next Steps
- List your top three clinical goals.
- Gather supporting evidence from your doctor.
- Contact Elmur on (08) 6558 8814 or email info@elmur.com.au
- Share this guide with your Support Coordinator and request a service booking.
- At your plan review, bring Elmur’s progress report to show measurable outcomes.
Conclusion
Community nursing is more than a line item on your budget. It is a partnership with skilled clinicians who keep you healthy and independent in your own home. By understanding the funding rules, price limits and referral pathway, you can secure reliable nursing care that moves you toward the life you want. If you need reliable community nursing NDIS Perth support, call Elmur on 08 6558 8814 or submit our booking form today.
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