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National Respite for Carers Program (NRCP) and other Australian Government support for carers

Information sheet on the National Respite for Carers Program which assists carers with information, respite care and support.

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September 2006

A carer is a person who, through family relationship or friendship, looks after a frail older person or someone with a disability or chronic illness. Carers look after these people in the community or in their own homes.

Caring for someone full time is physically and emotionally demanding. So, from time to time, carers need to be able to take breaks from their caring. This break is called 'respite'.

National Respite for Carers Program

The Australian Government provides funding of over $168 million for the National Respite for Carers Program to assist carers with information, respite care and support.

Community respite services for carers

Community-based respite services are funded to provide respite opportunities in a variety of settings, such as:

• day care centres which provide respite for a half or full day;
• in-home respite services, including overnight care and personal care services;
• activity programs;
• respite for carers of people with dementia and challenging behaviour; and
• flexible respite in community settings.

National Carer Counselling Program

The National Carers Counselling Program provides counselling, emotional and psychological support services for carers in need of such support in order to reduce carer stress, improve carer coping skills and facilitate, wherever possible, the continuation of the caring role. You can access this service by contacting 1800 242 636 (free call) or visiting their website http://www.carersaustralia.com.au/?/article/view/232.

Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres

Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres have been set up across Australia. These Centres specialise in helping people find information on services in their local area.

Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres can be contacted anywhere in Australia on Freecall 1800 052 222*. For emergency respite support outside standard business hours, phone Freecall 1800 059 059* (* mobile calls are charged at applicable rates)

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Other carer support services

Home and Community Care

Other services for carers are available through the Home and Community Care (HACC) program. The HACC program provides services to support frail older people and their carers so that they can remain in the community. Some of the services that can be arranged through HACC include home help, personal care, meals-on-wheels, home nursing and respite.

Residential respite care

Residential respite care provides short-term care in Australian Government subsidised aged care homes for people who are in temporary need of care and who intend to return to the community. Residential respite care may be used on a planned or emergency basis to help with carer stress, illness, holidays or if the carer is unavailable for any reason.

Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres can help carers obtain residential respite.

Access to residential respite care

Except for emergency situations, a person must be assessed as needing residential respite care by an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) before entry to an Australian Government subsidised service.

ACAT telephone numbers may be listed in the 'Age Page' of your local telephone book or may be provided by your local doctor or hospital. Commonwealth Carelink Centres can also refer people to their local ACAT.

A person can have up to 63 days of respite care in a financial year, with the possibility of extensions of 21 days at a time if an ACAT considers this necessary.

Fees and charges for respite care

People who enter and receive respite in Australian Government subsidised aged care homes can be asked to pay a maximum of $29.25 per day**.

A 'booking fee' may be charged to assist in organising respite. This will secure a respite place. It is a prepayment of respite care fees and not an additional payment. This fee, however, cannot be more than a full week's fee, or 25 per cent of the fee for the entire stay, whichever amount is the lower.

Respite residents do not pay an accommodation charge or accommodation bond, nor do they have to pay any additional income tested charges.

Community-based respite services charge fees according to the type of service being used. This can vary from a sessional fee for a morning or afternoon in a day care centre to an hourly rate for 'in-home' respite.
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Other financial assistance for carers

The Australian Government provides financial support to carers through:

• Carer Allowance; and
• Carer Payment.

Carer Allowance is a fortnightly allowance paid by the Australian Government through Centrelink. It gives financial assistance to a person caring for a relative or friend at home. It gives financial assistance to a person caring for a relative or a friend at home.

This allowance is payable to people who care for someone assessed as requiring a fairly high level of care—those who are very frail or have severe dementia, for example. It is not income tested and is not treated as taxable income.

Carer Payment provides income support (similar to a pension) to people caring for someone who is in need of constant personal care or supervision at home for six months or more—including frail older people. Carer Payment is income tested. It is not paid in addition to an existing pension.

To apply for Carer Allowance or Carer Payment contact Centrelink on 13 27 17*.

Information about services can also be obtained from:

• Home and Community Care service coordinators;
• Aged Care Assessment Teams;
• Community-based agencies;
• Community nurses;
• State and Territory Health Departments; and
• State and Territory Community Services and Disability Departments.

Where do I go for more information?

Important numbers and websites for carers

• Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres – 1800 052 222* (business hours) or 1800 059 059* (for emergency respite support outside standard business hours)
• National Carers Counselling Program - 1800 242 636*
• Aged Care Information Line – 1800 500 853*
• Dementia Helpline – 1800 100 500*
• National Continence Helpline – 1800 330 066*
• Aged and Community Care website at www.health.gov.au

** This figure was correct at the time of publication. However, this amount is reviewed on a regular basis. Please contact the Aged Care Information Line on 1800 500 853 for the current amount.

* Freecall™—calls from mobile phones are charged at applicable rates.

# Local call from local phones, mobile calls at mobile rates

Disclaimer: This document is only a guide to the Government's law and policies, and cannot take account of individual circumstances. The Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing recommends that you seek appropriate professional advice relevant to your particular situation. Because Government laws and policies change from time to time, please ensure you have the latest version of this document.
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