About us


What is Carer Gateway?

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 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 provides many services to support carers in their caring role, including:

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Carer Gateway is a free service designed by carers, for carers.

One in nine people in Australia are unpaid carers, and Carer Gateway is where their wellbeing comes first.

If you care for someone with disability, who is unwell or older, you can access a range of services and support, in-person, online or over the phone.

When you call Carer Gateway, your local service provider will listen to your individual caring situation to understand your needs, and tailor support so that it’s right for you.

They might arrange…

…help around your home …

…sessions with a counsellor …

…equipment to support your study…

…or planned or emergency respite care.

And on the Carer Gateway website, you can connect with other carers and access useful information, skills courses and coaching.

Call us today on 1800 422 737 to chat to a service provider or visit carergateway.gov.au

Our story

Carer Gateway was first introduced in 2015 as a website and phone line to help carers find and access support to help them in their caring role.

With the Australian Government’s commitment to continue improving carer services, an extensive four-year consultation process with carers and the sector was undertaken.

This process found that the best way to support carers is to help them early in their caring role. Through a range of tailored supports and services, carers can be supported to manage their daily challenges, reduce stress, plan for the future and ultimately improve their wellbeing.

This resulted in an updated Carer Gateway service model, which is what it is today. The full Carer Gateway service was introduced in a two-phased approach from July 2019.

Phase one included the introduction of new online and phone-based supports including free phone counselling, online peer support, self-guided coaching, and practical educational resources. These supports aim to improve carer wellbeing, skills and knowledge.

Full roll-out was implemented in April 2020, to include the delivery of in-person services through organisations across Australia known as Carer Gateway service providers. 

Carer Gateway aims to provide the same level of support and services to all carers across Australia no matter where they live.

Carer Gateway campaign

The Carer Gateway national advertising campaign aims to increase awareness of Carer Gateway services and supports, and encourage unpaid carers to access support through the phone line and website. Carer Gateway is a free support program for Australia’s 2.65 million unpaid carers, many of whom do not know that dedicated support is available to help them in their caring role.

Learn about the Carer Gateway campaign