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The reality of aged care nursing: The joys and challenges

Working in aged care nursing is more than just a job; it’s a calling that touches the hearts and lives of many. At Hope Aged Care, our dedicated team of nurses and care coordinators share their experiences, challenges, and rewards, giving us a glimpse into what it really means to care for the elderly. Here are their stories and insights.
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Aged care nurses about making a difference

Memorable moments in aged care

In life, it’s the special moments and feelings that truly matter, not material things. When people reflect on their lives, they often cherish these memories the most. As aged care nurses, we are in a unique position to create and share these moments with our residents. 

This role is not only rewarding for them but also deeply fulfilling for us as nurses and staff. We have the privilege of being at the heart of their daily lives, making a significant difference every day.

Here’s what Anita, Rabina, and Mamita have to say about their memorable moments.

“Every day is memorable for me. It could be minor or major, but without fail, something happens every day that stays with me. It could be an encouraging word from a colleague or knowing I made a resident’s day by making an extra effort to help them feel appreciated.”
Anita Gurung
Anita Gurung
Clinical Care Coordinator at Hope Aged Care in Melbourne
“If you sit with residents, they appreciate your time so much. They will share their life’s journey with you; this is so priceless to me.”
Rabina Gurung
Registered Nurse at Hope Aged Care in Melbourne
“I would say making new friends, young and old. We are part of the details of life – eating, sleeping, the small things – so, we become so close it’s like family.”
Mamita Paudel
Registered Nurse at Hope Aged Care in Melbourne

Aged care careers Melbourne

Why they chose aged care nursing

Choosing a career in aged care nursing is about embracing a role filled with compassion and purpose. Our nurses Anita, Rabina and Mamita share why they decided to take this journey, driven by a desire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of the elderly. 

“I come from a family of nurses! Seeing how rewarding their work has been has inspired me to follow the same path. Aged care is where I feel, as a nurse, I can be the most useful. To be part of a person’s life at this stage is a privilege and really humbles a profession like mine.”

Anita Gurung
Anita Gurung
Clinical Care Coordinator at Hope Aged Care in Melbourne

“It’s been a lifelong dream of mine. I feel such reward by helping people.” 

Mamita Paudel
Registered Nurse at Hope Aged Care in Melbourne

“I started as a PCA in 2018 and wanted to do something more for the ageing. I wanted to make more of a difference in their lives and honestly, in my own.”

Rabina Gurung
Registered Nurse at Hope Aged Care in Melbourne
Nursing jobs Melbourne

Aged care support

Support and growth at Hope Aged Care

Just like a plant needs the right environment to grow, our nurses need support and opportunities to thrive. At Hope Aged Care, we believe in nurturing our team’s professional growth. Here’s how we do it. 

“They look closely at my work and offer me new opportunities to step up. If I think I’m not ready, they respect this but also ask what they can do to help get me ready. This tells me that they have more than their own interests at heart.”
Rabina Gurung
Registered Nurse at Hope Aged Care in Melbourne

“Hope Aged Care gives me every opportunity to further my career. I can always approach management to grow my career. They’ve always nurtured growth, which feels incredibly supportive.”

Anita Gurung
Anita Gurung
Clinical Care Coordinator at Hope Aged Care in Melbourne

Read our article “Transforming lives in Melbourne: why aged care careers are more than just jobs”

Challenges in aged care

Daily challenges as an aged care nurse

Caring for the elderly is like being a firefighter, always ready to handle any situation that arises. Our nurses share the daily challenges they face and how they overcome them to provide the best care for our residents. 

“My daily challenge? Unfortunately, administration. It’s a necessary evil, but we manage to get through it for the sake of our residents.”
Mamita Paudel
Registered Nurse at Hope Aged Care in Melbourne

“Managing staff and family relationships can be challenging. But taking things one step, one problem at a time, breathing through the issue and having gentle open communication helps quite a lot.” 

Anita Gurung
Anita Gurung
Clinical Care Coordinator at Hope Aged Care in Melbourne

“Team management can be challenging because you want to focus on helping residents. However, making sure the team works well together is essential for providing the best care.” 

Rabina Gurung
Registered Nurse at Hope Aged Care in Melbourne
Nursing jobs Melbourne

Is aged care rewarding?

The rewards of aged care nursing

The rewards of aged care nursing are like the satisfaction of seeing a well-played game after a hard practice. Here’s what Anita, Rabina, and Mamita have to say about the rewards of their work.

“Solving our residents’ issues may be small to me, but it can be everything to them. And doing this in a way that doesn’t make them feel patronised is key. This is how I can be sure that I’ve left ego at the door and then work becomes truly rewarding.”
Anita Gurung
Anita Gurung
Clinical Care Coordinator at Hope Aged Care in Melbourne

“Knowing I’ve made a difference.” 

Rabina Gurung
Registered Nurse at Hope Aged Care in Melbourne

Looking for testimonials from our Melbourne aged care residents? In this article, four of our Brunswick residents share their stories and experiences at our largest aged care home in Melbourne.

This article includes testimonials from our Swan Hill facility too. Read their “Personal stories” here.

Aged care jobs Melbourne & Victoria

Advice for future aged care nurses

Thinking about a career in aged care nursing? Anita, Rabina and Mamita share their insights to help you understand what makes this career so fulfilling. 

“Do it! I encourage anyone who is interested as it’s so rewarding not only in career but especially personally. You learn to be more thoughtful and attentive, observant, and humble.” 

Anita Gurung
Anita Gurung
Clinical Care Coordinator at Hope Aged Care in Melbourne
“Think long and hard.”
Rabina Gurung
Registered Nurse at Hope Aged Care in Melbourne

“It’s hard, I’m not going to lie. But it’s so worth it.”

Mamita Paudel
Registered Nurse at Hope Aged Care in Melbourne

Aged care nursing jobs Melbourne & Victoria

Conclusion

Thinking about stepping into aged care nursing? It’s not always easy, and it’s definitely not all roses and sunshine. But if you’re looking for a career filled with meaningful moments, personal growth, and the chance to make a real difference in people’s lives, this might just be the path for you. Our dedicated team at Hope Aged Care believes in the profound impact of their work and welcomes those ready to join this rewarding journey. 

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Entry into Hope Aged Care Homes

If you’re starting to consider residential aged care for your Mum, Dad or loved one you’re probably wondering how much it will cost – and if they can afford it.

The Australian Government’s New Aged Care Act came into effect from 1 November
2025. The reforms include changes to the costs of permanent residential aged
care. These costs apply to every aged care community across Australia.

The following costs apply to those entering residential aged care after 1 November
2025. If you were approved for, or accessing, a Home Care Package on 12
September 2024, you are protected by the ‘no worse off principle’ and will pay
fees under the 1 July 2014 arrangements. 


Fees and contributions you may pay

Before you enter permanent residential care, you should have your means assessed to see if you’re eligible for Australian Government assistance with fees and accommodation costs. The fees you pay will depend on the outcome of your means assessment and what you agree on with your aged care provider.  You may need to pay some or all of these fees:

• basic daily fee

• hotelling contribution

• non-clinical care contribution

• accommodation costs

 

Basic daily fee

All residents pay this fee for daily living services, including meals, cleaning, laundry and utilities.

The maximum fee is set at 85% of the single basic age pension. This fee increases in March and September each year in line with the age pension.

Hotelling contribution

People who can afford to will contribute more towards their daily living costs through a hotelling contribution.

Services Australia will tell you if you need to pay a hotelling contribution and if so, how much you need to pay. This is based on your means assessment and changes with indexation in March and September. 

Non-clinical care contribution

People who need to pay the maximum hotelling contribution may also need to pay a non-clinical care contribution.

Services Australia will tell you if you need to pay a non-clinical care contribution and if so, how much you need to pay. This is based on your means assessment. The maximum amount changes with indexation in March and September. Daily and lifetime caps apply.

This fee ceases after a person pays it for four years, even if they have not reached the lifetime cap amount


Accommodation costs

Room prices

How much you pay for a room at your chosen aged care facility will also depend on your means assessment.

If you are eligible for assistance, the government will pay some or all of your accommodation costs to your provider. If not, you will need to pay the price that you agree with your provider.

Payment options

  • Option 1: 

A lump sum refundable accommodation deposit (RAD) that is refunded when you leave care, less any retention amounts and any fees that you agree to draw down.


A refundable accommodation deposit (RAD) retention also applies – if you pay a lump sum, your provider keeps 2% of your lump sum per year. This amount is not refunded when you leave care. After 5 years in care, no further retention amounts will be deducted.

  • Option 2: 

A daily accommodation payment (DAP) that is not refunded when you leave care.

The interest rate used to calculate a DAP is called the Maximum Permissible Interest Rate (MPIR). This is set by the Government and reviewed quarterly.

Daily accommodation payment (DAP) indexing applies – if you pay by DAP, this amount will increase due to indexation on 1 January, 1 April, 1 July and 1 October each year. Indexation does not apply to daily accommodation contributions (DAC) paid by residents eligible for government assistance with their accommodation costs.

  • Option 3: 

Any combination of a RAD and DAP.

Until you pay a RAD, you will pay a DAP. You can pay a RAD at any time after you enter care.

A RAD payment is considered an asset for aged care purposes. This means it is counted in your means assessment and may affect your hotelling contribution and non-clinical care contribution.

If you choose a combination payment, you can choose to draw your daily payment from your paid RAD. Over time, this will increase your daily payment unless you top up the lump sum. Your provider may also agree to draw other fees from the lump sum, like your basic daily fee.

 

Confirm your fees with a means assessment

To confirm your aged care fees, you will need a means assessment. This is where Services Australia or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) assesses your income and assets. If you are a member of a couple, they will assess half of your combined income and assets, regardless of who earns the income or owns the assets.

If you choose not to have your means assessed, you will not be eligible for assistance with your accommodation and your provider can ask you to pay:

• the full hotelling contribution and non-clinical care contribution, and

• the accommodation price you agreed on before you entered care.

 

To complete a means assessment, fill in the Residential Aged Care Calculation of your cost of care form (SA457) or the Residential Aged Care Property details for Services Australia and DVA customers form (SA485). If Services Australia or DVA already have your financial details, you may not need to complete a form to have your means assessed.

 

Once your assessment is complete, Services Australia will send you a fee advice letter.

 

You should lodge your request for a means assessment as early as possible – even before you enter an aged care home. If your assessment is finished before you enter, the results are valid for 120 days unless there is a significant change in your circumstances.

 

Changes to fees after entering care

Your aged care fees and contributions do not stay the same for your time in care. They will change over time because of:

• changes to your financial circumstances

• indexation of aged care fees and thresholds

• reaching lifetime caps on certain fees.

 

Keep your financial details up to date

Once you’ve had your means assessed, you need to keep your income and assets up to date with Services Australia or DVA. You are legally required to report changes to your (and your partner’s) personal or financial circumstances within 28 days. This will help keep your aged care fees correct.

You can call Services Australia on 1800 227 475 or update your details online through MyGov.

 

Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) recipients

If you are an eligible former Prisoner of War (POW) or Victoria Cross (VC) recipient, DVA may pay your basic daily fee. You may also be exempt from paying some of the contributions based on your means assessment.

You can find more information at dva.gov.au

 

Seek financial advice and education

You should seek independent financial advice before deciding how to pay for aged care. Some payment methods can affect your pension and aged care fees. If both you and your partner need to access care, each of your payment methods may affect the other’s aged care fees.

 

Financial hardship assistance

If you can’t afford your aged care fees for reasons beyond your control, you can apply for financial hardship assistance. You must meet certain eligibility criteria and will be assessed on your specific circumstances. If you’re approved for hardship assistance, the government will pay some (or all) of your aged care fees.

 

Got Questions?

We understand that residential aged care costs can be confusing. That’s why our knowledgeable and friendly team is here to help you. We’ll guide you through the options, answer your questions and help you at every stage.

Call us on (03) 9302 9300 or email us at [email protected]. 

Schedule of fees and charges for residential care
from 20 March 2026

This Schedule applies to residential aged care recipients. Different fees and accommodation costs apply based on the resident’s fee arrangements and accommodation arrangements.

Rates for 1 November 2025 fee and accommodation arrangements

Resident fees and contributions

Fee

Maximum daily rate

Basic daily fee 1

$66.80

Hotelling contribution 2

$22.15

Non-clinical care contribution 2

$107.32

This fee applies for permanent residential care and residential respite care.

Services Australia advises the contribution amount for a resident.

Caps on non-clinical care contribution

Non-clinical care contribution cap

Rate

Daily cap

$107.32

Lifetime cap 3

$137,917.01

A four-year cap also applies to the non-clinical care contribution. The fee ceases after a person pays it for four years, even if they have not reached the lifetime cap amount. 

 

Rates for post 1 July 2014 fee and accommodation arrangements

Resident fees and contributions

Fee

Maximum daily rate

Basic daily fee

$66.80

Means tested care fee 5

from 1 October 2025

from 1 April 2026

$403.80

$370.39

Services Australia advises the fee amount for each resident.

 

Caps on Means tested care fee

Means tested care fee caps

Rate

Lifetime cap

$86,185.23

Annual cap

$35,910.43