Helping Carers Thrive:
How Carer Gateway Makes a Difference

Carer Gateway is an Australian Government program providing free services and support for carers.

If you care for a family member or friend with disability, a medical condition, mental illness, or a person who is frail due to age, then Carer Gateway can help you.
The Australian Government works with a range of health and carer organisations across Australia, known as Carer Gateway service providers, to deliver services to carers no matter where they live in Australia.
Carer Gateway was first introduced in 2015 as a website and phone line to help carers find and access the right support to help them in their caring role.
Since then, Carer Gateway has expanded to include a range of tailored supports and services, to help carers manage daily challenges, reduce stress, plan for the future, and ultimately improve their well-being. Some of these services include in-person, online and phone-based supports. These supports aim to improve the wellbeing, skills and knowledge of carers.

What Services and Support Does Carer Gateway Offer?

Carer Gateway provides a range of free services and support just for carers. Services are delivered in person, online and over the phone. Our dedicated team of Carer Gateway service providers across Australia provide in-person services across Australia. Services include:

Peer Support Groups for Carers
Carer Gateway can help you to meet people who also care for a family member or friend. By sharing stories, knowledge and experience, you can learn from and support each other.
Carer Gateway offers two options to connect with other carers:

• In-person peer support groups where you can meet with others in your local area who also care for a family member or friend.
• Online community forum where you can join the online written discussions to engage with other people who also care for a family member or friend.

Tailored Support Packages
Tailored support packages are designed to provide you with services and support specific to your needs to help you in your caring role. You may be able to get free:
• services or equipment to help with your education–for example, tutoring, educational supplies or training courses
• planned respite, where a service provider steps in to take care of your family member or friend while you take a break
• transport, to help you do things like go to medical appointments or do shopping.
• cooking and cleaning services
• assistance with shopping

In-person and Phone Counselling
If you feel stressed, sad or frustrated, it may help to speak with a counsellor to discuss your situation. They can provide strategies to help you work through your emotions.
Carer Gateway provides free counselling to carers.
There are three types of counselling options available:
• In-person one-on-one counselling
• In-person group counselling
• Phone counselling.

If you are distressed and need immediate support, please call one of the following 24 hour crisis support services:
• Lifeline 13 11 14 (for anyone)
• Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25).

In-person and Online Self-guided Coaching
The online Carer Gateway Self-guided Coaching Service provides you with the opportunity to explore how your caring role affects different areas of your life.
Designed in partnership with carers, each coaching session will get you thinking about how you are going, how you’d like things to be and how you might be able to take steps towards making that happen. Each session includes information, practical tips, resources, reflection activities and stories from Australian carers.
The online coaching sessions can be accessed anywhere, anytime via your home computer, mobile or tablet.

Online Skills Courses
Carer Skills courses provide information, insights and practical tips to help carers develop new understanding and skills important in their caring role.
Each free online self-paced learning modules takes approximately 20–40 minutes to complete and you can download your responses to questions in the module to use as a resource and reminder.

Emergency respite
Respite or respite care is when someone else takes care of the person you care for, so that you can have a break. A break can give you time to do everyday activities or to relax, deal with stress and look after yourself.
When you are a carer, it’s important to regularly take time for yourself to rest and recharge.
You can call Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737 to find out about respite care options and local services available in your area.

Case study: Meet Debra, a carer for her sister and adult daughter
After her daughter fell ill during the height of the pandemic, Debra was introduced to Carer Gateway – and things started looking up. She received help in the form of tailored support packages, respite services and coaching. ‘Carer Gateway gave me some breathing space,’ she says. Carer Gateway introduced me to the services that helped my sister’s mental health – and my own.’
Debra has been able to make time for herself and work in a profession she has always been passionate about. Her relationships have improved, too. ‘Carer Gateway helped me realise I also have a son, a husband, and myself to take care of,’ she says. ‘These support services helped me get back on track; I can spend time with my sister and daughter as a family member and not just as a carer.’

Case Study: Meet Magnolia – a First Nations woman caring for her grandmother
Magnolia is a proud Yolngu woman, living on Country (Yirrkala) and is the sole carer for her grandmother. ‘My momu (paternal grandmother) raised me from when I was a baby and inspired me to follow my dreams. She always encouraged me to work hard and is my number 1 supporter. She’s getting older and has been unwell so I’m back home looking after her. It’s been nice to be together again and make sure She’s ok because she did so much for me growing up,’ she says.
Through Carer Gateway, Magnolia found free and easily accessible support, practical information and skills courses to improve her social and emotional
wellbeing.
‘I didn’t know the word ‘carer’ and I didn’t realise I am one because looking after momu is just what I do. It was a blessing to connect with Carer Gateway because they’ve helped make things easier. It’s been nice to yarn with people who understand what it’s like and are looking out for my wellbeing. I now know that people are always here for us and they’re just a phone call away.’

Carers can talk to someone about accessing services by calling Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737 (selecting Option 1) Monday to Friday between 8am and 5pm local time or visiting the website carergateway.gov.au.
Their helpful staff will talk you through the registration and planning process. This helps the Carer Gateway staff learn more about you and your caring role so they can match services to your individual needs.