Caring for someone

Carers

Caring is a rewarding experience, but it can also be very demanding and sometimes carers need extra help and support. This page provides links to a range of information and help available for carers.

National Respite for Carers Program (NRCP)

The National Respite for Carers Program (NRCP) is one of several initiatives designed to support and assist relatives and friends caring at home for people who are unable to care for themselves because of disability or frailty.

The Program provides:

• information and support for carers; and
• assistance to help carers take a break from caring (this is called respite).

The Program funds:

• More than 600 community based Respite Services;
• Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres;
• National Carer Counselling Program, and
• The Carer Advisory Service.

Under this Program, a network of Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres has been established around Australia

Centres provide a link to and information about a wide range of community, aged care and support services available locally or across Australia, including services for older people, people with a disability, and those who provide care and services. Centres can also assist carers with options to take a break through short-term and emergency respite services, based on assessed need, and provide advice on and coordinate access to respite services in a carer’s local area.

You can contact your nearest Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre on Freecall^TM 1800 052 222* during business hours or, for emergency respite support outside standard business hours on Freecall^TM 1800 059 059*. (*Calls from mobile phones are charged at applicable rates.)

Further Carer Information

To find out about NRCP services in your area, contact your local Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre.

There is also a range of information and support available for carers:

• Carer Publications including the Carer Information Pack are available to download or you can order them from the Aged Care Free Publications Order Form.
• Further Departmental carer information is available on Continence, Dementia, Mental Health and Palliative Care. Other Australian Government Departments and agencies that can assist carers are Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs Disability Programs and Department of Veterans' Affairs.
• If you are caring for an older person or a person with a disability, you may be eligible for financial assistance such as the Carer Allowance and Carer Payment that are available through Centrelink.
• Further information and support is available to carers from Carers Australia, a national organisation for carers of people with a disability, mental illness, chronic condition or who are frail aged.
• Relevant legislation relating to residential respite care and Carer Allowance.
  

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