Carer Gateway provides services and support to carers across Australia.
Call 1800 422 737 between 8am - 5pm, Monday to Friday, or visit www.carergateway.gov.au seven days a week for support and advice.
If you need emergency respite call 1800 422 737 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
What is it?
Carer Gateway is an Australian Government program offering a range of free supports and services tailored to the unique needs of carers. This includes a range of services, including counselling, coaching, practical assistance, tailored support packages, in-person peer support with other carers, and emergency or planned respite.
This inclusive and accessible program ensures safety and support for anyone, regardless of age, ability, gender, culture and sexuality. Services are delivered in-person, online and over the phone.
In Victoria, Merri Health leads the Carer Gateway program, partnering with seven other healthcare organisations to deliver comprehensive care and assistance across the state.
Call Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737 Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm to learn about the supports and services available to you or click the link to get started.
What support is available?
Carer Gateway provides many services to support carers in their caring role, including:
- in-person and online peer support groups
- tailored support packages to help with accessing planned respite, transport services, and more
- in-person and phone counselling
- 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.
You don't have to know exactly what to ask for – you can just talk through any problems you are having, and Carer Gateway staff will try to match you with services that can help.
Who can use this service?
All carers can access Carer Gateway services.
You are a carer if you are looking after someone with disability, a medical condition, mental illness or who is frail due to age.
You don't need to be a new carer to use Carer Gateway services – any carer can use the services at any time in their caring journey.
Location
In Victoria, Carer Gateway services are provided at many sites and locations including metropolitan and regional areas. To find out more, get in touch with our team.
More information
Everything you need to know about carer support is available by visiting the Carer Gateway website or by calling 1800 422 737, Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm local time. You can also request a call back here.
Each region in Australia has a Carer Gateway service provider. This means that the person you talk to knows what support and services are available in the area.
In Victoria, Carer Gateway services are provided by a group of seven health and social support providers, led by Merri Health. It includes Alfred Health, Grampians Health, Barwon Health, Bendigo Health Care Group, FamilyCare, and Uniting (Victoria and Tasmania) Ltd.
Collectively, we have more than 100 years of experience supporting carers in Victoria.
Carer Gateway has developed a new method for health professionals to refer carers to the free service, with referrals now able to be made online simply and safety. Visit: Carer Gateway - Make a Referral (carergatewayvictoria.org.au)
Carer Gateway is an Australian Government initiative.
