Better health and ageing for all Australians

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.

In this section:

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 FreecallTM 1800 052 222* during business hours or, for emergency respite support outside standard business hours on FreecallTM 1800 059 059*. (*Calls from mobile phones are charged at applicable rates.)

Consumer Directed Respite Care (CDRC)

Consumer Directed Care for carers is identified as Consumer Directed Respite Care (CDRC).

CDRC aims to provide carers with a greater say and more control over the design and delivery of respite services provided to them and the person/s they care for. It allows carers to make choices about the types of respite services they access and the delivery of those services, including who will deliver the services and when. Expected outcomes of CDRC for both carers and the person/s they care for include a better quality of life due to increased independence and empowerment over the respite services they are receiving.

Further information on CDRC can be found on the Respite information page.

Further Carer Information

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

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