Right at Home Celebrates 2026 National Caregiver of the Year

Nila Kandel (centre) with Right at Home Kalgoorlie Wheatbelt owners Daniela (left) and Ketul (right) Panchal 

Nila is a caregiver and support worker for Right at Home Kalgoorlie Wheatbelt in Merredin, Western Australia. Originally from Nepal, she completed her Proficiency Certificate Level (PCL) in Nursing and worked as a Registered Nurse there. After moving to Australia, Nila further developed her knowledge and skills by completing a Diploma of Community Services. 

Nila has always been passionate about helping people and making a positive difference in their lives. For her, caregiving is more than just a profession; it is an opportunity to serve people with kindness, compassion, dignity, and respect. She says she is incredibly proud to have received Right at Home’s highest honour and that this recognition is one of the most meaningful achievements of her professional journey. 

Read on for Nila’s full interview with Right at Home Australia. 

What drew you to caregiving and the home care industry? 

My passion for caregiving began during my nursing journey in Nepal. Working in healthcare taught me that caring for people is not just about providing medical assistance but also about understanding their emotions, respecting their dignity, and supporting them during difficult times. When I came to Australia, I wanted to continue my passion for helping others. The home care industry attracted me because it allows me to provide personalised care and build meaningful relationships with clients.

I believe everyone deserves to feel safe, respected, valued and independent, especially in their own home. Being able to contribute to someone's happiness and quality of life is what inspired me to pursue this career. 

What attracted you to Right at Home? 

I was attracted to Right at Home because of its strong commitment to providing high-quality, person-centred care and supporting people to live independently in their own homes. The organisation's values of compassion, respect, trust and quality care closely align with my personal and professional beliefs. 

Working in the Merredin community has given me the opportunity to develop close relationships with clients and make a genuine difference in their everyday lives. I am also grateful for the supportive working environment, encouragement and opportunities provided by our management team, particularly Daniela and Ketul. Their trust and support have helped me grow professionally and personally. 

I feel proud to be part of an organisation that genuinely values both its clients and its caregivers. 

What motivates you to work as a caregiver?

My greatest motivation is seeing the happiness, comfort and satisfaction of the people I care for. Sometimes, even a small act of kindness, a friendly conversation, a warm smile or simply listening patiently can make a significant difference in someone's day. 

Many of our clients depend on us not only for physical assistance but also for emotional support, companionship and reassurance. Knowing that my presence can make someone feel safe, respected and less lonely gives me tremendous personal satisfaction. 

For me, the greatest reward is not what I receive from caregiving, but the positive difference I can make in someone's life. 

What do you find most challenging about working as a caregiver?

One of the biggest challenges is understanding and responding to the different physical, emotional and personal needs of each client. Every individual has a unique personality, health condition, background and expectations. Some clients require significant physical assistance, while others need emotional support, patience and companionship.

It can also be emotionally challenging when we see clients experiencing declining health, loneliness or difficult personal circumstances. However, my nursing background has taught me to remain calm, compassionate and professional in challenging situations. 

I believe these challenges help us become more understanding, patient and responsible caregivers. Most importantly, they remind us that every person deserves individual attention, dignity and respect. 

What do you think makes a good caregiver?

I believe a good caregiver must have a caring heart, patience, empathy, honesty, and a strong sense of responsibility. Professional qualifications and practical skills are important, but genuine compassion and respect for others are equally essential. 

A good caregiver should be a good listener, understand the individual needs of clients, respect their choices and support their independence. Reliability, teamwork, communication, and the willingness to continuously learn are also important qualities. 

I strongly believe that caregiving is not simply about doing things for people; it is about helping them feel valued, respected, comfortable and independent. A truly great caregiver treats every client with the same kindness, dignity, and compassion they would want for their own family members. 

How do you feel having won Right at Home Australia's most prestigious award?

Winning the Right at Home Australia Caregiver of the Year Award is one of the proudest and most emotional moments of my life. I feel incredibly honoured, grateful, and humbled to receive such recognition. 

When I started my caregiving journey in Australia, my goal was simply to provide the best possible care and make a positive difference in people's lives. I never imagined that my dedication and hard work would be recognised at such a significant national level. As someone who began her nursing career in Nepal and continued her professional journey in Australia, this achievement means even more to me. 

I would like to sincerely thank Right at Home Australia, the Kalgoorlie Wheatbelt management team, especially Daniela and Ketul, my wonderful colleagues, and, most importantly, the clients and families who have trusted me. This award is not just my personal achievement. I see it as recognition of the dedication, compassion, and teamwork of everyone involved in delivering quality care.

Has winning this award provided you with any opportunities?

Winning this award has given me greater confidence, motivation, and encouragement to continue growing in my caregiving career. It has also provided me with an opportunity to reflect on my professional journey, from being a registered nurse in Nepal to becoming a recognised caregiver in Australia.

I believe this recognition will help me develop professionally, share my experiences with others, and inspire people who are considering a career in the care industry. Most importantly, it has strengthened my commitment to maintaining high standards of care and continuing to learn and improve my skills. 

I hope to use this achievement as an opportunity to encourage other caregivers, especially those from multicultural backgrounds, to believe in their abilities and pursue their professional dreams. For me, this award is not the end of my journey. It is the beginning of an even greater responsibility to make a positive difference in people's lives. 

What is your advice to anyone considering a career in caregiving?

My advice to anyone considering a career in caregiving is to choose this profession with genuine passion and patience. Caregiving is not always easy. It requires dedication, emotional strength, responsibility, and a willingness to understand people from different backgrounds and circumstances. However, it is also one of the most rewarding professions because you have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in someone's life every single day. 

Never underestimate the importance of small acts of kindness. Sometimes, your smile, patience, or a few minutes of time can mean more to someone than you realise. Keep learning, respect every individual, work as a team, and always provide care with dignity and professionalism. My message to future caregivers is simple: You do not need to do extraordinary things to make a difference. Sometimes, doing ordinary things with extraordinary love and compassion can change someone's life. 

A special closing message. 

I am truly grateful to Right at Home Australia for recognising my dedication and giving me the opportunity to do what I love. Coming from Nepal and building my professional career in Australia has been a journey of learning, challenges, hard work, and personal growth. 

Receiving the Carer of the Year Award is a dream achievement, but the real reward will always be the smiles, trust, and happiness of the people I care for. I would like to dedicate this recognition to my clients, their families, my colleagues and management team, and everyone who has supported me throughout my journey. 

I am proud of my Nepalese roots, grateful for the opportunities Australia has given me, and honoured to serve the Australian community through Right at Home. 

Right at Home Australia is a leading provider of quality in-home care. Our mission is to improve the quality of life for those we serve ensuring the Right Care, Right at Home™. We support people living with complex and post-operative care needs, dementia and cognitive decline, older Australians, and adults living with a disability including NDIS participants. Our tailored services help clients to remain safe and independent in their homes. We are an Approved Provider under the Aged Care Act, meaning we can provide government-funded support at home. We also offer private care for those who do not have government funding or who wish to pay privately for top-up care. Right at Home is all about you. We are available 24/7 so contact your local office today. You can also call our national number on 1300 363 802. 

This information is general in nature and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Please seek appropriate professional advice for your individual circumstances. Services are subject to availability and individual eligibility, including applicable funding criteria. Any examples or case studies are illustrative only. Individual experiences and outcomes may vary. Services are delivered by independently owned and operated franchisees under a franchise agreement with Homecare Group Pty Ltd. Experiences may vary by location. To the extent permitted by law, we exclude liability for reliance on this information. Nothing in this material excludes or limits your rights under Australian Consumer Law.

Right at Home Offices in Australia: ACT & Queanbeyan; ACT Canberra; Adelaide Central; Brisbane Bayside South; Brisbane North; Brisbane South; Brisbane West; Central Queensland & Wide Bay; Darling Downs; Far North Queensland; Geelong; Gold Coast North; Gold Coast South; Goldfields Grampians Murray; Gosford; Greater Logan; Hunter & Port Stephens; Ipswich Lockyer Valley; Kalgoorlie Wheatbelt; Macarthur Penrith; Mackay; Melbourne Berwick; Melbourne Brighton; Melbourne Frankston; Melbourne Glen Waverley; Melbourne North; Moreton Bay Region; Newcastle; Newcastle Toronto; Noosa, Gympie & Hinterland; North Queensland; Northern Rivers; Northern Territory; Perth Midland; Perth Northern Suburbs; Perth Rockingham & Armadale; Perth South; Perth South Eastern Suburbs; Perth West Coast; South West WA; Southern NSW; Southwest Victoria; Sunshine, Caloundra & Maleny; Sunshine, Maroochy & Nambour; Sydney Central & Eastern Suburbs; Sydney Five Dock; Sydney Inner West; Sydney Liverpool; Sydney Lower North Shore; Sydney Northern Beaches; Sydney Norwest; Sydney Parramatta; Sydney Randwick; Sydney Ryde; Sydney St George; Sydney Sutherland Shire; Sydney The Hills; Sydney Upper North Shore; Western NSW