Aged care homes near Palmers Island, NSW
No aged care homes are based in Palmers Island itself on the current government service list, but nearby homes are listed below. Here is what is within 20 km.
Aged care homes within 20 km of Palmers Island
Uniting Caroona Yamba
Mareeba Aged Care
Whiddon Maclean
What the official data says about aged care in Palmers Island
No aged care homes are based in Palmers Island itself on the current government service list. That is common and it does not mean you are stuck: there are 3 homes within 20 km, and most families end up choosing one a short drive away.
Across the homes within 20 km, the average overall Star Rating is 4 out of 5, against a New South Wales average of 3.89 and 3.83 nationally. That is the pool worth comparing, since no home sits in Palmers Island itself.
The closest homes to Palmers Island
| Home | Suburb | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uniting Caroona Yamba | Yamba | 5.9 km | 4 |
| Mareeba Aged Care | Maclean | 9 km | Not yet rated |
| Whiddon Maclean | Maclean | 9.1 km | 4 |
How within 20 km of Palmers Island score on each measure
An overall rating is built from four separate measures. Averages for the homes in reach, next to the national average, so you can see where this area is genuinely strong and where to ask harder questions.
| Measure | Within 20 km | National | What it covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents' experience | 4 | 3.63 | how residents themselves rated life in the home, collected in face-to-face interviews. It is the closest thing to asking the people who live there. |
| Compliance | 5 | 4.82 | whether the home has met its regulatory obligations. Almost every home scores well here, so a low score is a genuine warning sign rather than a small ding. |
| Staffing | 4 | 3.25 | how much registered nurse and total care time each resident actually receives against the government's targets. |
| Quality measures | 3 | 3.04 | clinical outcomes the home reports, such as pressure injuries, falls, medication management and unplanned weight loss. |
Source: Australian Government Star Ratings, May 2026 extract. How to read these ratings properly.
Who runs the homes within reach of Palmers Island
Many services belong to a larger group. Knowing the operator is useful, because standards, pricing structures and culture often travel across a group.
The Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust (NSW) (1 service nearby)MacLean Valley Nursing Home Pty Limited (1 service nearby)The Frank Whiddon Masonic Homes of New South Wales (1 service nearby)
What it costs to move into a home near Palmers Island
Fees are set nationally, not by suburb, so the structure is the same in Palmers Island as anywhere in Australia: a basic daily fee of $66.80 a day (as at 20 March 2026) that everyone pays, a means-tested care fee based on your income and assets, and an accommodation payment set by each individual home. That last one is where Palmers Island homes will differ from each other, and it is the number to ask for in writing. Non-clinical contributions are capped over a lifetime at $137,917.01.
Estimate a room deposit or daily payment · The full cost guide
Want a shortlist for Palmers Island instead of a directory?
Tell us what your family needs and we will narrow this list to the options that actually fit: care needs, budget, availability and distance. Free, online, no pressure.
Get my Palmers Island shortlistNearby areas
Yamba (1, 6 km)Maclean (2, 9 km)Ulmarra (1, 35 km)Grafton (5, 45 km)Coraki (1, 47 km)Alstonville (2, 66 km)Casino (3, 66 km)Goonellabah (3, 66 km)East Lismore (1, 67 km)Ballina (5, 68 km)
Common questions about aged care in Palmers Island
How many aged care homes are there in Palmers Island?
None are based in Palmers Island itself, but 3 operate within 20 km. Most families choose a home a short drive away.
How much does an aged care home in Palmers Island cost?
There is no single figure. Everyone pays a basic daily fee of $66.80 a day (as at 20 March 2026). On top of that sits a means-tested care fee set by your income and assets, and an accommodation payment that each home sets individually, paid as a refundable lump sum, a daily payment, or a mix. Lifetime contributions are capped at $137,917.01.
Do I have to choose a home in Palmers Island itself?
No. You can enter any home in Australia that has a place available and accepts your assessment. Families often look a few suburbs wider to find the right fit, which is why we show everything within 20 km of Palmers Island as well.
What is the first step to arranging care in Palmers Island?
An assessment through My Aged Care (myagedcare.gov.au or 1800 200 422). Nothing is government funded until that assessment is done, and the queue moves slowly, so applying early is the single most useful thing you can do. You can shortlist homes while you wait.