Almost 2.65 million Australians care for someone with disability, a medical condition, mental health condition or someone who is frail due to age.
And often, the carers themselves need care - or just a little assistance to point them in the right direction.
Helping carers manage their daily challenges can make a big difference to their lives, as well as the lives of those they care for.
That's the federal government's Carer Gateway comes in, providing reliable services, support and advice to unpaid carers.
Services are delivered in-person, online and via phone, and are free to all carers no matter where in Australia they live.
Through the nationwide network of Carer Gateway service providers, carers have access to:
- Carer needs assessment and support planning
- In-person and phone-based counselling
- In-person and online peer support
- Targeted financial support through Carer Directed Support Packages with a focus on employment, education, respite and transport
- Emergency respite
- Online self-guided coaching
- Information and advice
- Assistance with navigating relevant local services available to carers through federal, state and local government and non-government providers, including the National Disability Insurance Scheme, My Aged Care and palliative care.
Carers can access Carer Gateway services by calling 1800-422-737, weekdays, 8am-5pm local time, or by clicking HERE
Emergency respite is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling 1800-422-737.
Did you know?
THERE are 2.65 million carers in Australia - 861,600 people aged 15 and over are primary carers.
AROUND one in nine (10.8 per cent) Australians provide unpaid care to people with disability and older people.
ABOUT one in 11 carers (235,300 people) are aged under 25.
WOMEN are 2.5 times more likely than men to be a primary carer and represent seven in every 10 primary carers (71.8%).
THE average age of a primary carer is 54.
MORE than a third (37.4 per cent) of primary carers have disability.
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