A carer is a person who, through family relationship or friendship, looks after a person who is frail, aged, has disability or a chronic illness. Caring for someone can be physically and emotionally demanding. The Australian Government funds programs to assist carers so that they can have short term breaks from their caring responsibilities.
National Respite for Carers Program
The National Respite for Carers Program provides assistance to carers through information, respite care and support. The program is funded through the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing. See the Related Links on this page for more information.
Respite for Carers of Young People with a Disability
The Respite Support for Carers of Young People with Severe and Profound Disabilities Program assists carers of young people under 30 years of age. It also supports carers who are experiencing significant stress in caring for a person with a disability under 65 years of age.
The program helps carers when their needs are not being met though other state, territory or Commonwealth initiatives. It includes options such as overnight care, weekend respite care, or equipment to significantly reduce the stress of the carer.
The Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs web site contains more information about various types of support available to carer, see the Related Links on this page.
Respite and Information Services for Young Carers
The Respite and Information Services for Young Carers Program helps carers up to 25 years of age who are at risk of leaving education prematurely and not completing secondary education.
This program enables young carers to access up to five hours in home respite per week during the school term to attend education or training. They can also obtain one fortnight of respite care each year to undertake activities such as studying for exams, training or recreation.
Young carers can also obtain age appropriate information, advice and referral from Carers Australia at 1800 242 636 or the Young Carers site, see Related Links.
More information?
Commonwealth Carer Resource Centres
Commonwealth Carer Resource Centres are located in each capital city and act as a single point of contact for carers seeking information and advice about the full range of services and assistance available to them.
Commonwealth Carer Resource Centres can be contacted on the national toll free number 1800 242 636.
Commonwealth Carer Respite Centres
Respite care services allow carers to have time away from their caring responsibilities. A network of Commonwealth Carer Respite Centres throughout Australia provides a single contact point for detailed information on local respite services and helps carers get the respite which best meets their individual needs. They can help carers to access respite in the community or in residential settings if that is appropriate.
To find out where the nearest Commonwealth Carer Respite Centre is, contact the toll free number call 1800 059 059.