Caring for someone

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Many carers see themselves as a family member or friend who looks after a person they love, not as a carer. This means that they may not think to look – or ask – for help.

If you’re providing a family member, partner or friend with regular and ongoing care and help – without being paid – then you’re a carer. And you can get help and support from the government and other organisations.

A carer may give care for a few hours a week or all day, every day, depending on the level of support needed. Care can be received:

  • in the older person’s home
  • in a residential aged care home
  • in your home.

Carer Gateway: Support for you as a carer

If you’re a carer, it’s important you take some time to look after your own health and wellbeing because it will help you in your caring role. Carer Gateway provides carer specific in-person, phone, and online services and support nationally to help you in your caring role.

Carer Gateway phone line

You can call 1800 422 737, Monday to Friday, between 8am and 5pm, to speak to a Carer Gateway service provider. They will talk with you to understand your needs and provide the support and services to assist you in your caring role, including:

  • carer support planning
  • in-person and phone-based counselling and peer support
  • targeted financial support through carer directed support packages, including supporting participation in employment, education, planned respite, and assistance with items such as transport or cleaning
  • information and advice
  • access to emergency respite (available to access 24/7)
  • assistance with navigating relevant, local services available to carers through federal, state and local government and non-government providers, including My Aged Care, the National Disability Insurance Scheme and palliative care.

Note: Assistance to access Emergency Respite is available 24 hours a day and seven days a week by calling 1800 422 737.

Carer Gateway website

The Carer Gateway website also provides access to practical information, advice, resources and online support services, such as:

Caring for someone with a particular need

Everyone’s care needs are different. There are many resources, services, and support groups available when caring for someone with a particular need, or in a particular situation:

Read more about caring for someone at home or caring for someone in an aged care home.

Tips for being confident in your caring role

Making sure others understand your needs will help you balance your role as a carer with other aspects of your life. Be confident about talking to the person you care for about your need to be:

  • acknowledged and included in decision-making
  • treated with dignity and respect
  • asked to help, not just expected to help
  • given privacy.

Other tips include:

  • carrying out only the tasks you are comfortable with
  • voicing your concerns and offering suggestions
  • asking other family members for support
  • providing relevant information to doctors, nurses and other service providers
  • talking about support services available and accessing them when you need help.

What else do people ask at this step?

I care for someone who has moved into an aged care home. Can I still provide care for them?

Yes, you can and it’s helpful if you do. You will need to work together with the aged care home’s health professionals, but you are still an important source of support and care.

Read more

What do I do if the person I care for can’t provide consent?

If the person in your care is unable to contact My Aged Care and provide consent, you may need to become an authorised representative. To put this in place, you will need supporting legal documents (and in most cases supporting medical evidence) so that My Aged Care knows you can legally represent them.

As an authorised representative, you can speak and act on their behalf, as long as you ensure that you act in their interests and keep their personal information safe.

Read more about representatives

See more FAQs

External resources