Recovering from an illness, injury, or hospital stay doesn’t mean giving up your independence. The Restorative Care Pathway is a short-term, government-funded program designed to help you regain your strength, mobility, and confidence so you can get back to doing the things you love.
Through this program, our compassionate team of support workers, physiotherapists, and dietitians works with you for up to 16 weeks to improve your physical condition and mental wellbeing. We ensure you prevent decline and stay active, even if you are already accessing other home care services.


Access a team of health professionals dedicated to your recovery. From physiotherapists and occupational therapists to dietitians, we coordinate the precise clinical expertise required to restore your function and build your mobility with confidence.

While you focus on getting better, we assist with the rest. Access funding for essential support like personal care, meal preparation and domestic assistance to keep your home running smoothly and comfortably during your specific recovery journey.

Navigating recovery can be overwhelming, but you do not have to do it alone. Your dedicated Care Designer, who is a Registered Nurse, manages your budget, coordinates your therapy team and adjusts your plan as you improve every step of the way.
If you are seeking government assistance for the Restorative Care Pathway, you will need to apply for an in-person assessment through My Aged Care. Here is the step-by-step process.
Step 1: Check your eligibility
To see if you qualify for an aged care assessment, visit the My Aged Care website.
Step 2: Apply for an assessment
If you are eligible, you can complete the My Aged Care online application (allow 15 to 20 minutes) or call 1800 200 422.
Step 3: Prepare for your assessment
Visit the My Aged Care website for a checklist of what to prepare. We recommend gathering your Medicare card, medical history, and details of your GP.
Step 4: Have your assessment
Your assessment will take place at your home or in the hospital. We strongly encourage you to have a family member, friend, or your Nurse Next Door Care Designer there to support you.
Step 5: Receive your outcome
You will receive a letter outlining your approved services and individual support plan. Once you have this, you are ready to choose a provider.
Step 6: Contact Nurse Next Door
Call us on 1300 600 247 (or complete our "ask for care"). We will pair you with a dedicated Care Designer to build a Restorative Care plan tailored to your recovery goals.
Following an illness, fall or hospitalisation, our our goal is to get you moving again. We collaborate with qualified physiotherapists and allied health professionals to enhance your strength, balance and stability to ensure you feel secure and confident in your daily movements.
Our approach empowers you to regain the necessary skills and confidence you need to continue living independently. By focusing on rehabilitation now, we help you maintain your autonomy and delay the need for long term care so you can remain safe and comfortable in your own home.
We recognise that every recovery journey is unique. Your dedicated Care Designer, who is a Registered Nurse, partners with you to identify your specific goals, from resuming social engagements to managing household tasks, and curates a tailored clinical plan to help you achieve them.
The Restorative Care Pathway is a short-term program (up to 12-16 weeks) under the government’s Support at Home system. Unlike standard home care which supports you ongoing, this pathway provides intensive, goal-oriented funding to help you recover from a setback, like an illness or fall, so you can regain your independence.
Eligibility is determined by an assessment through My Aged Care. You may be eligible if you are over 65 (or 50 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people), have experienced a decline in your ability to manage daily tasks, and are motivated to work with a team to improve your independence. It is not for people currently receiving end-of-life care.
Eligible participants typically receive a budget of approximately $6,000 for a 12-16 week episode of care. If you have higher needs, your assessor may approve a second consecutive episode (funding up to $12,000 total). This funding is separate from your ongoing Support at Home quarterly budget.
Yes. You can access the Restorative Care Pathway even if you are already receiving ongoing services. If you experience a temporary setback, such as a fall or surgery, this specific funding runs alongside your regular Support at Home budget to cover the additional therapy you need.
The funding is flexible but must be linked to your recovery goals. Common services include:
The program is designed to be short-term and intensive, typically lasting for 12 weeks, but it can be extended to 16 weeks if needed. You can access up to two episodes of care in a 12-month period if assessed as necessary.
We engaged Nurse Next Door to check on our 90 year old Dad on a weekly basis after health complications and surgery. They have been exceptional. The care has been fantastic and their communication to us kids on how our father is has been priceless as we live over an hour away from his retirement village. I highly recommend their services.
The team at Nurse Next Door Melbourne South East are an amazing team of professionals that support with kindness and professionalism. Revital, Heather and the team go above and beyond, and their motto of Our Talent is Caring is more than a motto it is how they provide support.
"Nurse Next Door Adelaide South West have gone above and beyond for the care of our mum and dad. Staff are so caring, consistent and reliable. Has made a huge difference to our lives. "
I was so relieved to find out about Nurses Next Door. It was the help I needed for my parents and having met Krystal and Oscar gave me peace of mind. Nurses next door can cover from nursing capabilities to disability and aged care. I came with specific requirements and they gave exactly what my parents needed - social care, company, and a lot of help from their doctor's appointments. I highly recommend Nurses Next Door and if you live in the North Shore area, Krystal and Oscar can provide you or your loved ones the best care.
Nurse Next Door is a wonderful and much needed organization. Kristy and Rachel are both very easy to deal with and are quick to respond. A huge thank you and love especially to Sally, Mary, Amanda, Danni and Georgia who were always so caring and kind to me and to Spike and Missy. Thank you
"I found Nurse Next Door when I was fed up with my existing home nursing service. They have done an amazing job over the last two months, arriving at the booked appointment time and calling to ask permission to change the time well in advance if they want to change it. Their staff are friendly, respectful and the same nurse turned up each time unless she was on leave. The Nurse Manager couldn't do enough to support me; I can't thank them enough for their caring support."
Head Nurse Sruthi and the whole team go above and beyond for their consumers. I’ve worked with them closely over the last few months with a rural consumer and their attention to care, communication & follow up has been phenomenal. I would recommend them to anybody, thanks again for all your hard work and help.
Cannot speak highly enough of the high quality, empathetic care provided by Nurse Next Door. They came into our lives at a time of great stress and worked to fit in with the unique needs of our family, rather than us fitting in with them. They quickly became friends we could rely on. They are flexible, easy to contact and respond quickly. The caring and understanding experienced staff are attentive, well briefed and well trained in medical care, dressings and dementia care. They also have a thorough understanding of the workings and requirements of the WA Health system. We could trust that we were in good hands. I would not hesitate in making them part of your caring team. For us, they were lifesaving . Can’t thank them enough.
Kristal and team are amazing! Their care, compassion & professionalism are second to none. We engaged their services following medical advice of additional care required for my Mum late last year and they could not have provided better support, care and guidance. Only regret is we wish we knew them earlier!
Fantastic service .
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