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Caring for someone can be tough. It’s easy to become exhausted and overwhelmed. There’s support available to help you look after yourself.
Breaks from caring
Sometimes you may need to take a break from caring so you can rest and recharge.
Respite care is when someone else takes care of the person you care for, so that you can have a break. Respite care can be given by family or friends or a respite service. You don’t have to be getting a payment from us to get respite care. Find out more about respite care on the Carer Gateway website.
If you do get a payment for caring from us, you can use 63 days of respite each calendar year without your Carer Payment or Carer Allowance stopping. You can use these days for anything, including a holiday or simply taking a break from caring. If the person you are caring for goes to hospital, you can use hospitalisation days. These are different to respite days.
You need to tell us if you take a break or the person you care for is hospitalised. Find out more about taking a break from caring if you get Carer Payment or Carer Allowance.
Getting support
There are lots of things to manage when you’re a carer. The Carer Gateway website has tips and information to help you.
It’s important to look after your physical and emotional health when you are a carer. Read more about looking after yourself on the Carer Gateway website.
Carers Australia is the national peak body representing Australia’s unpaid carers. Their website has information about national carers group and support services.
If you’re living with violence or abuse, there are some things you need to do to keep your information safe. Find out more on where to get help.
Payments and support
We have payments for carers. Read about getting a payment when you’re caring for someone.
There are also other services to help carers. Find out more about getting support.