Carers
Support for carers — Carer Gateway, NDIS-funded supports, aged care respite, and what to do if you are burning out.
I'm caring for someone — is there support for me?
Yes. There are three main doors and most carers only know about one:
- Carer Gateway (carergateway.gov.au or 1800 422 737) — counselling, peer support, planning tools, in-person and emergency respite, tailored coaching. Free.
- NDIS-funded carer supports — if you're caring for someone on the NDIS, their plan may include carer-related supports (respite, training) that flow through their funding.
- Aged care respite — under Support at Home (Independence service category) and CHSP. Includes emergency respite for crisis situations.
You don't have to choose one. They're for different needs.
I think I'm burning out. What now?
Three things, in order:
- Call Carer Gateway (1800 422 737). They have crisis support and can arrange emergency respite within hours if it's needed.
- If the person you're caring for is on the NDIS or has aged care funding, ask their plan manager / care coordinator about respite that's already available in the plan.
- Talk to your GP. Carer burnout is a recognised clinical issue, not a personal failure.
There's nothing about asking for help that will get someone's funding cut. The NDIA and the aged care system both factor informal supports into their assessments.
More questions
General
What Greenbees does, who runs it, what it costs (free).
NDIS — eligibility and access
Who can apply, what evidence works, how long it takes, what to do if you're refused.
NDIS — planning and supports
How planning meetings work, what 'reasonable and necessary' means, the differences between Core, Capacity Building, and Capital.
NDIS — recent changes
What changed in 2024 — Support Lists, plan budgets, Foundational Supports.
Aged care — getting started
When to start, how the Single Assessment System works, what to expect from an assessment.
Aged care — Support at Home
The new program from 1 November 2025 — what it covers, what you pay, the short-term pathways.
Aged care — residential care
When residential is the right answer, RAD vs DAP, your rights, switching providers.
Aged care — costs
How the means test works, the family home, indicative costs by means bracket, where to get free advice.
Between NDIS and aged care
Turning 65, being on both, the under-65-in-aged-care trap.
Still not sure?
Run the Funding Finder — answer a dozen quick questions and we'll show you which schemes apply and what to do next.