1800 422 737
Call Carer Gateway for support and services. Select option 1 to speak with your local service provider.
1800 422 737 Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm local time
In an emergency or if someone is in danger Triple Zero 000
If you are in crisis, anxious or depressed and want to talk with someone Lifeline 13 11 14 for anyone
Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 for people aged 5 to 25
If you suddenly find you can’t provide care, for example if you become ill or injured, call Carer Gateway for emergency respite.
1800 422 737 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Thank you for visiting this website. In the period preceding an election, the Australian Government assumes a caretaker role.
The Department of Social Services hosts this website and the department will manage it in accordance with the Guidance on Caretaker Conventions.
Many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people care for family members. Aboriginal Australians are more likely to be looking after another person with a disability, long-term illness or ageing related problem than non-Indigenous Australians.
Explore our 10 tips about what you can do to make life easier if you are a carer looking after your brother or sister.
Explore our 10 tips about what you can do to make life easier if you are a carer and a student.
We know that many young carers find themselves caring for someone and looking after a household before they have all the life skills they need.
'I don’t feel as though I’m being burdened. I love my mum all the same.'
Many students also care for someone and this can be hard. The time and energy that caring takes can interfere with your study. This is true for all students, whether you are a young high school student, an older university student or a returning continuing education student.
As a carer, you’ll often put the needs of the person you care for before your own needs. It’s OK to look after yourself too.
As a carer, you have legal rights about your role and how you should be treated. You may also need to manage the legal affairs of the person you care for.
Many people don’t see themselves as carers. They are just children, parents, partners, relatives or friends who care for someone close to them.