DANS, in home aged and disability care across Central West & Western NSW
DANS is an in home aged care and disability provider founded in 2000. Learn more about us.
What DANS is here to do
Care isn’t what we do; it’s how we show up.
Our Vision
Improving lives in our local communities. When you care for one person well, you strengthen an entire community.
Our Mission
Allowing people to thrive in the comfort of their own home, through quality, local care that exceeds any other.
So what does DANS stand for and why are we different?
Originally known as “Dubbo Area Nursing Service”, we changed our name in 2025 to better reflect our wider service offering to the key towns and areas of the Central West and Western NSW, not just Dubbo.
Today, DANS stands for “Disability & Aged Nursing Services”.
We service 15+ locations across the Central West & Western NSW.
We employ over 80 staff across numerous towns.
Our business is a key part of communities in the area.
Small enough to know you, experienced enough to support you
As a small business based in Dubbo, our business has grown over the past 26 years. We've grown from a sole trader to over 90 staff, expanded our services across additional towns, and added new care offerings. What hasn't changed is the standard we hold ourselves to, or the way we show up for families.
Nurses and care workers our customers get to know.
Customer service and continuity of carers are critical to us.
We offer the capability of a larger provider, with the personal touch of a small team.
Bringing care and health services to the communities that need them most
Central West and Western NSW had gaps when it came to aged and disability care. Families in smaller towns struggled to find qualified, local care they could trust, which resulted in many people moving away from their home to get better health care.
DANS exists to change that.
Started in Dubbo, now servicing the Central West & Western NSW.
We have changed what access to health care looks like.
The DANS difference started 26 years ago
DANS started in Dubbo in 2000 with two nurses and a simple idea: local people caring for local people. Here's how we've grown since.
2000 - Founded
DANS In Home Care was founded by registered nurses Jan Ferguson and Kitty Brown, delivering nursing support to veterans in the Dubbo community.
2000-2010 - Expansion
Initially focused on clinical nursing, services expanded into home care, including domestic assistance and respite, in response to growing community needs.
2015 - New Leadership
Following the retirement of the founders, Jacqui Martel took full ownership, continuing the legacy while evolving the service offering with a focus on community-based care.
2017 - 2020
DANS became an approved provider of the Home Care Packages program, NDIS and iCare, enhancing our care offering across the Central West & Western NSW.
2021 - Now
DANS has expanded beyond Dubbo to service the Central West & Western NSW while growing staff from 15 to 80 to meet demand. Our head office remains in Dubbo and now offers in-person seminars and education.
Meet Jacqui Martel, Business Owner
Jacqui joined DANS in 2014 after relocating from Sydney to Dubbo, bringing a fresh perspective and a strong focus on growth and community-based care.
Taking over from founders Jan Ferguson and Kitty Brown in 2015, Jacqui has brought a renewed focus to improving access to health care in the Central West & Western NSW while transforming DANS into the premier in-home care provider within the region.
Two things Jacqui holds DANS to
Improved access to health care in the Central West & Western NSW.
Supporting older Australians and people with disabilities to stay where they feel most at home.
Local teams and familiar faces, week after week.
Being different from the big companies: personalised, consistent and familiar faces that make a difference.
Looking to work for DANS?
We are always on the lookout for amazing new staff to keep up with our ever-growing business.
A trusted track record backed by numbers
We've built our reputation on consistency, quality, and deep roots in the region.
Our tenure, locations, and support offering position us as the leading in home care provider in the Central West and Western NSW region.
years of local in home care
in home care available
towns across Central West & Western NSW
locally based and run
Trusted by funding bodies and families alike
We're approved providers for NDIS, DVA and iCare, meeting the highest standards of care and safety.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Questions about in-home care, funding, and getting started? We've answered the ones we hear most.
Are your services delivered by local staff?
Where possible, yes. DANS matches you with care workers who live and work in your part of the Central West and Western NSW. Local staff know the towns, the services and the distances involved, and you see the same faces regularly rather than a rotating roster.
Can Registered Nurses be involved in my care?
Yes. DANS is nurse-led. Registered Nurses oversee care plans, deliver clinical care such as wound care and medication management, and monitor changes in your health. Care workers handle day-to-day support with that clinical oversight behind them.
What makes DANS different?
DANS is a locally owned, nurse-led in-home care provider based in Dubbo. Registered Nurses oversee every care plan, our staff live in the communities they service, and we cover Central West and Western NSW towns that larger providers often do not reach.
Still have questions?
Get in touch. We're here to help.