Respite care is there to support you and your carer for short periods of time. It can give you both a break and can also give you the chance to meet new people. This service may be at home, in a community centre, or at an aged care home. Home and community respite can be during the day or overnight.
This type of care is often planned in advance. If you need emergency respite care, call the Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737.
This service includes:
- flexible respite
- community and centre‑based respite.
This service does not include:
- care subsidised through other programs. For example, residential respite as this is funded separately.
How it could help
- Day or overnight respite at home or in the local community
- Day respite at a centre or aged care home.
How can I access this service?
This service can be provided through the Commonwealth Home Support Program, the Support at Home program, or the Transition Care Program. Your aged care assessor determines your eligibility to access these programs and this service.
Support at Home program
How this service is helping others
How home respite helped Phuong and Harry balance health, home, and social time
How respite care helped improve George and Mei’s health and wellbeing
How end-of-life and palliative care helped Sanjeeta to stay at home.
How do I get assessed for services?
An aged care assessment determines whether you are approved to access services. Using our online tool, you can check if you meet the requirements for an assessment before you apply for one.