Support and Respite for Carers of People with Disabilities
We understand the immense responsibility that falls on the shoulders of carers who look after people with disabilities. You must prioritize your well-being and seek respite and support to maintain your own physical, mental, and emotional health.
Allowing you to recharge, relax, and rejuvenate so that you can continue providing exceptional care without burnout or exhaustion.
Some of the key support organizations here can assist you. You may also be eligible for financial assistance.
Carer Gateway
Carer Gateway is an Australian Government program providing free services and support for carers.
If you care for a family member or friend with a disability, a medical condition, or mental illness, or who is frail due to age, then Carer Gateway can help you.
The Australian Government works with a range of health and carer organisations across Australia, known as Carer Gateway service providers, to deliver services to carers no matter where they live in Australia.
Carers Gateway provides many services to support carers in their caring role, including
in-person and online peer support group
tailored support packages to help with accessing planned respite, transport services, and more
in-person and phone counseling
in-person and online self-guided coaching
online skills courses to support your wellbeing and understanding of legal responsibilities relating to the caring role
access to emergency respite if you suddenly find you can’t provide care, for example, if you become ill or injured.
Carers WA
Carers WA is the peak body that represents the needs and interests of carers in Western Australia. They work to achieve an improved quality of life for family carers in our state.
Their role is to work in active partnership with carers, persons with care and support needs, health professionals, service providers, government, and the wider community to achieve an improved quality of life for carers.
Their services include the provision of specialist information and advice, resources, carer support through counselling, education/training, social support, and carer advocacy and representation.
NDIS
While the NDIS plan focuses on the person you care for, the types of supports in the NDIS plan may also have direct or indirect benefits for you as a carer.
These may include:
Family support, training and counselling in matters relating to caring for a person with a disability
Building skills and capacity of other family members to help manage how disability affects family life
Supports that increase the participant’s independence, and the ability for the participant to enjoy social and community activities independent of their carers
Supports to help with the role of caring, such as personal care and domestic help related to the person’s disability.
A support worker to be included in family outings to help the person with a disability, especially if the family has other children
Access to respite care to give carers a break from their caring responsibilities.
Young Carers
Young carers are a person up to the age of 25 years old who provide unpaid care and support to a loved one, including family members, or friends with a disability, physical or mental illness, a substance dependency, or who is aged.
The YCN is a nationally coordinated resource to raise young carers awareness, provide information, and direct young carers to appropriate pathways for support.
They work to enable young carers to engage with each other through a range of opportunities to share and connect.
What can I do on the Young Carers Network?
Find a support service
Learn some helpful tips and share your own
Read young carer stories and share your own
Find young carer events
Learn about financial support
Learn about young carers
Join the Young Carers Network
Apply for the Young Carers Bursary Program
Read testimonials from young carers and share your own
