Residential Aged Care

Melaleuca has been providing exceptional quality aged care for the Phillip Island community for over 30 years. We have built a reputation for compassionate and respectful care by understanding each resident’s specific needs and preferences, by treating them with dignity and by celebrating their individuality.

Here at Melaleuca, our residents’ comfort and security are paramount. We are committed to cultural safety and inclusion, so our residents and their families feel safe and valued.

Melaleuca is governed by a volunteer committee of management of local residents who are committed to our vision and mission. They are dedicated professionals with experience and qualifications in fields such as business management, corporate governance, finance and customer service.

We are fully accredited with the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC) as an approved provider - please click here to view our ACQSC profile.

We uphold the Australian Government’s Charter of Aged Care Rights and comply with the Aged Care Quality Standards.

Our website provides an overview of Melaleuca Aged Care and, for more detailed information, please look at our Resident Handbook.

Living at Melaleuca

Our approach is all about our residents. From daily living assistance to emotional support, we tailor our services to meet their individual needs.

With just 37 residents and a devoted care team, Melaleuca truly feels like a home-away-from-home.

When we welcome a new resident, we prepare a comprehensive Care Plan that honours their individual needs and preferences. Our care program includes individualised support with the activities of daily living.

Our professional team of nurses and personal care staff is qualified, experienced and available to provide nursing and personal care 24 hours a day.

We provide regular medical and allied health care on-site.

The dedicated Leisure and Lifestyle team runs a vibrant and varied activities program - for more information please click here.

Our residents’ rooms are well-proportioned with views to the gardens. Each room has a private ensuite and built-in-wardrobe, and is furnished with a bed, bedside table and lockable cupboard. Each room has free WIFI access and a call bell beside the bed and in the ensuite bathroom. Residents’ families and friends are encouraged to visit their loved ones and residents are welcome and encouraged to head out to catch up with friends or family, or for other outings.

Residents enjoy their meals, and morning and afternoon teas, in our bright and welcoming dining room. And our light and spacious living area, which looks out over our gardens, offers a place for residents to relax, read, watch TV or catch up with visitors, and also hosts some of our wonderful leisure activities.

Our catering team prepares nutritious and tasty meals that meet individual dietary needs, including allergies.

Landscaped gardens and walking paths give our residents the space to take a walk, get a breath of fresh air or sit and relax in one of our many outdoor sunny or shaded seating areas.

Respite Care

As part of serving our local community, Melaleuca offers short-term respite care. Our residents in respite care receive the same care, support and opportunity to participate in our lifestyle program as our permanent residents. If you need temporary residential care, e.g. post-surgery, or if those caring for you at home need to take a break, please feel free to call us on 03 5952 3266.

Melaleuca Aged Care is a vibrant community where individuality is celebrated and friendships flourish. To assist residents’ physical, mental and emotional health, our Leisure and Lifestyle program is run 6 days a week and 2 evenings a week. It regularly includes:

  • Reminiscing - regular fun memory-based group activities

  • Coffee Club - our weekly catch-up chat over a cuppa

  • Cafe Outing - our weekly walk to a nearby cafe

  • Excursions - regular outings for lunch or visits to scenic spots or local points of interest

  • Church services - fortnightly with a local religious leader here in our lounge room

  • Toddler Day Care Group - fortnightly visits for shared activities e.g. storytime, songs, playtime

  • Happy Hour – fortnightly performance by a local singer & guitarist includes a chance for residents to sing along and play musical instruments while enjoying a glass of wine, beer or soft drink, as appropriate

  • Armchair Exercise Group - three days a week with supervision by physiotherapist

  • Bingo - weekly with one of our lovely volunteers

Our Leisure and Lifestyle Program

Throughout the year we also host

  • Morning Melodies

  • Ball games, board games, puzzles, word games

  • Art and craft activities

  • Gardening activities - run with support from Bunnings

  • Footy tipping during the AFL season

  • Visits from local choirs and bands

  • Armchair Travel - meals and films from countries around the world

  • Activities and events to celebrate Christmas, Easter, Australia Day and other countries’ National Days, ANZAC Day, St Patrick’s Day, Shrove Tuesday, Mothers Day, Fathers Day and Valentine’s Day, as well as the AFL Grand Final and the Melbourne Cup.

Our quarterly resident newsletter - The Paper Bark - celebrates our residents and life at Melaleuca.

For some pampering, residents can visit our professional and friendly onsite hairdresser or have a manicure (including a gentle hand massage and nail polish, if desired), available on request.

And residents can purchase personal items and snacks from the kiosk located near the reception.

Residents’ families can also arrange for newspapers to be delivered for their loved ones.

Applying for Residency

If you’re considering moving into aged care please contact us with any questions you have. Call us on 03 5952 3266 or email our Facility Manager at facilitymanager@melaleucaagedcare.com.au We encourage you to book and take a tour of Melaleuca, and bring a family member too, if you wish.

We don’t always have a room available immediately so, to be placed on our waiting list, please complete the Application for Residency and return it, along with your doctor’s Medical Summary and a copy of your Aged Care Assessment or My Aged Care Support Plan.

Fees and Charges

When deciding to move into aged care you should apply for the government’s means assessment to determine what you will need to pay towards your care and accommodation. Once your assessment is completed, they will advise you in writing of the fees you will be asked to pay.

The fee structure for aged care is set by the Government and is as follows:

Basic Daily Care Fee

Everyone pays this fee. It is set by the Government at 85% of the basic aged pension. It covers day-to-day care services in aged care. It is adjusted by the Government in March and September each year. As at 1 January 2026, the Basic Daily Care fee is $65.55 per day or $917.70 per fortnight.

Non-Clinical Care Contribution

This is an additional contribution towards the cost of care that some residents may be required to pay. A resident or older person can now pay up to $105.30 per day for a maximum period of 4 years, depending on their assessed assets

Accommodation Payment

This is the payment for your accommodation in residential aged care. Some residents’ accommodation cost is met partly or in full by the Australian Government, while others have the option to fully or partially pay the Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD) as agreed to with our facility, or have this converted to a Daily Accommodation Payment (DAP). Centrelink will advise you if this payment applies to you, based on the assessment of your income and assets.

Our RAD is $450,000 and it can be paid as a full or partial lump-sum, with the remaining amount converted to a DAP at the rate of 7.65% (Maximum Permissible Interest Rate as at 1 January 2026 is $95.32 per day (i.e. the DAP on $450,000).

2% of the RAD per year for up to 5 years is deducted from the paid RAD when the RAD becomes refundable.

Hotelling Contribution

This fee towards daily living costs (food, cleaning, laundry) may be charged to residents, based on their assessed income and assets. The amount charged can be up to $22.15 per day.

You can get an estimate of how much you would pay towards your fees from the My Aged Care ‘Fee Estimator’.

To obtain more information about residential aged care fees, please read the My Aged Care ‘Understanding aged care home accommodation costs’.

The Government Schedule of Residential Aged Care Fees and Charges is available here.

To help you make the right decision about your care, we encourage you to seek independent and professional financial advice.