COVID-19 information

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How can Carer Gateway help you with COVID-19 vaccine information?

Carer Gateway can help you find a range of COVID-19 vaccination information and support, for example:

  • help with booking a vaccination appointment
  • information and support on getting tested
  • where to get a person you care for vaccinated
  • COVID-19 Information in accessible formats such as Easy Read or Auslan.

For more information or assistance, call Carer Gateway 1800 422 737, Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm (local time) and select option 1 to speak to your local Carer Gateway service provider.

If you need information in a language other than English, call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450.

If you are deaf, or have a hearing or speech impairment, you can call the National Relay Service on 133 677.

If the person you care for is an NDIS participant, their support coordinator can assist with making an appointment for a vaccination or you can find information on disability vaccination clinics in your area on the Department of Health and Aged Care website.

Also for COVID-19 information and support for people with disability, you can visit the Disability Gateway or call 1800 643 787.

Disability service providers can read the Department of Health and Aged Care disability service provider page.

COVID-19 vaccine information for carers

If you are a carer, there are many reasons for you to get vaccinated including:

  • protecting you and the people you care for from catching COVID-19
  • reducing your risk of severe disease, long-term side effects or long COVID
  • staying connected with your family and friends as well as your workplace or school

The COVID-19 vaccines protect against severe illness from COVID-19. Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself, your family, people you care for and the community.

COVID-19 vaccine – can you get it?

Everyone aged 5 years and older can be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Children aged 6 months to <5 years who are severely immunocompromised, or have disability, as well as those who have complex and/or multiple health conditions that increase their risk of severe COVID-19 are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.

Getting a COVID-19 vaccine helps protect people around you from getting very sick or dying from COVID-19 by slowing the spread of the virus.

To be considered up to date with your COVID-19 vaccination, you must have had all the doses recommended for your age and health needs.

Department of Health and Aged Care has more information about who can get a COVID-19 vaccine.

Book a COVID-19 vaccination

There are a few ways you can book COVID-19 vaccination for someone you are caring for:

  1. You can use the vaccine clinic finder to find a clinic and book your COVID-19 vaccination. When searching for a suitable appointment, the Vaccine Clinic Finder has icons to assist with accessibility needs.
  • Wheelchair accessible - This location supports the needs of people who are using a wheelchair or have limited mobility.
  • Low sensory space available - This location has a quiet room and/or low sensory space available.
  • No Medicare card needed - People without Medicare can get a COVID-19 vaccine at this location.
  • No appointment needed - walk-ins accepted
  • Languages other than English - Some staff at this location can communicate in the languages listed.
  1. The Carer Gateway can help you to make a booking to get your COVID-19 vaccine. Call 1800 422 737, Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm.
  2. You can call your doctor (also known as a GP), and ask them if they can give you a vaccine, or if they can help you find someone close by (such as the local pharmacist) who can give you a vaccine.
  3. You can check if your local pharmacy can give you a vaccine.
  4. If the person you care for is an NDIS participant, their support coordinator can assist with making an appointment for a vaccination or you can find information on disability vaccination clinics in your area on the Department of Health and Aged Care website.

Giving informed consent

All Australians must give Informed consent before having the COVID-19 vaccine. 

It is important to understand what you or the person you care for is agreeing to. You can talk with a GP and other health professionals to discuss the risks and benefits of the vaccine and if it is appropriate for someone to receive the vaccine. This may help to ensure there is informed consent to have the vaccine.

There is an Easy Read resource on informed consent

COVID-19 oral treatments

Some people at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 are eligible for antiviral treatment. You can check your eligibility here

COVID-19 can be life-threatening for adults in high-risk groups, even when they are fully vaccinated.

The antiviral treatments, which are taken as a tablet or capsule, can help to stop COVID-19 infection from becoming severe – but they need to be started early after testing positive.

Please talk to your doctor now about your COVID-19 treatment options. Your doctor can help determine your exact eligibility.

There is an Easy Read resource on COVID-19 medicines.

See Department of Health and Aged Care website for more information about COVID-19 treatments.

COVID-19 information

Carers are assured that the Australian Government continues to work closely with current government funded carer service providers to ensure business continuity plans are in place to manage and respond appropriately to the impact of COVID-19.

In cases where in-person services are not possible due to the impact of COVID-19, service providers will aim to find alternative supports for carers. Carers who need access to services or information should contact Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737. Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm (local time) and select option 1 to speak to your local Carer Gateway service provider.

Carers can continue to access online and phone-based supports via this website.

Carers are encouraged to stay up to date by visiting Federal Department of Health and Aged Care website which includes a range of resources carers may find useful if caring for someone in their home.

Carers can find additional COVID-19 information and support on NDIS participant health and safety by visiting NDIS - Your health and safety.

Carers, family members and guardians can learn more about getting a COVID-19 vaccine from the Department of Health and Aged Care website.

Your state or territory government also provides information on COVID-19, including up-to-date details of any local restrictions that may be in place. Follow the relevant link below:

Australian Capital Territory
New South Wales
Victoria
Queensland
South Australia
Western Australia
Northern Territory
Tasmania

COVID-19 updates for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities

Stay up to date with our latest advice on COVID-19 and other health-related information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Subscribe to the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care newsletter for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Easy Read resources

Access a series of fact sheets about COVID-19 in Easy Read:

Carers who need access to services or information should contact Carer Gateway:

Carer Gateway

1800 422 737
Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm local time

Emergency respite

For emergency respite, call your local Carer Gateway Service Provider:
1800 422 737
24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Need to talk?

If you are in crisis, anxious or depressed and want to talk with someone, call:

Lifeline

13 11 14

Kids Helpline (for people aged 5 to 25)

1800 55 1800

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